It is not only householders who have difficulties finding a reliable plumber. It is also a problem for plumbing students who can't find firms ready to take them on. GILES SHELDRICK reports

YOUNG would-be plumbers at Swindon College are facing an uncertain future because firms around the town are unwilling to take them on.

Despite a well-publicised national shortage of skilled plumbers, those studying for NVQ qualifications are finding it almost impossible to land apprenticeships or placements with Swindon's plumbing and heating companies.

Trying to find a reliable plumber may be a widespread problem for householders, but 50 students are currently learning the trade at the college.

A housing boom and the DIY culture that has swept the country have helped fuel the demand for skilled labour and wage rises to boot.

However, the unwillingness of firms to take on college leavers has much to do with the changing face of the plumbing industry. Most plumbers are one person operations with an income of about £20,000. They have no incentive to spend time and money on fresh recruits.

Former plumber Keith Arkwright, 54, who is registered with plumbing and heating watchdog Corgi, teaches students foundation and NVQ level plumbing at Swindon College.

He said: "The biggest problem is that 80 per cent of plumbers are one-man bands and so are intimidated by or frightened of taking on extra responsibility. Yes, I expect plumbers can earn £1,400 a week, but they'll be dead afterwards and the money aspect is the reason for the massive interest in the trade.

"There's good job security and it's a vocation where you can be self-employed when you want to be. British Gas used to take on apprentices, but when it was denationalised it was curtailed. What I would say to companies in Swindon is that we can give them a known quantity, people who can work with their hands and use their heads."

Many of Swindon's large plumbing and heating companies of yesteryear, like Swindon Heating and North Wilts Heating and Sanitary, have long since disbanded and with them the notion of apprenticeships.

In those days, companies would take on a young apprentice for four or five years and pay them a small wage in exchange for teaching them skills to last the whole of their working lives.

Today apprentices have nearly the same working rights as full-time employees, including pension rights, which can make taking one on an unattractive proposition.

Dennis Grant, chief executive of the Swindon Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "What we are seeing is a completely different world and I find it inconceivable that there are so many skilled youngsters unable to find jobs or placements with companies.

"But companies are feeling unsure and nobody really wants to commit themselves to taking on staff. Bigger companies have been on the wane for some time, with more people becoming self-employed business will be there in the long-term, but just at the moment the economy is shaking.

"We are now seeing a reverse of Auf Wiedersehen Pet, with people from Germany coming over here to plug the skills shortage we have. With the number of houses being built around the country and the south east, plumbers will always be in demand and I guarantee that if some of these youngsters went to London now they would be in work by Friday such is the situation there."

The college has been inundated with requests from students wanting to learn how to be plumbers. To cater for the demand this year, it put on an extra course and hired extra staff. And the college has received more than 200 applications from adults wanting to study at vocational night classes.

Students learn the basics of the trade, like bending pipes, fitting cisterns and draining radiators.

Those who complete the foundation course in plumbing can graduate to studying the technical certificate route or an NVQ, while working with a registered plumbing and heating company. Both routes take three years.

Chris Moore, 17, of Haydon Wick, is studying the foundation course and has his heart set on a career as a plumber, but so far has been thwarted in his efforts to be taken on by a local company.

He said: "I have been writing to firms, but the ones I have received replies from say they are not taking on apprentices. I'm worried that after studying I might not be able to get a job as a plumber.

"The profession has always appealed to me, ever since I saw a demonstration when I was at school. I'd still like to be a plumber, but I'll have to wait and see what happens in September."

Scott McMurty, 16, of Toothill, who is studying for an NVQ in plumbing, wants to follow in the footsteps of his carpenter father and bricklayer brother by learning a trade.

He said: "I enjoyed design and technology at school and found it a really interesting course. I went through the Yellow Pages, but I've had no joy after writing to loads of different plumbing and heating companies around the town.

"I've heard all about the shortage of plumbers and I'll be really disappointed if I can't get a job at the end of my course."

Meanwhile, there are expected to be 1,500 vacant jobs in the south west's felt roof industry over the next three years, warned the Kent-based National Construction College. For more information on vocational courses at Swindon College call (01793) 491591.