Well according to this list (if i am reading it right) we in the south west have more vacancies than London ! who puts all these rubbish figures togeather ? More to the point how much do they get paid for doing it ?? More than we earn thats for sure !!
I think you make a fair comment.
But, statistics on plumbing training have not been easily available over the last decade - or the stats available have been less than complete or awarding bodies like City and Guilds stopped publishing their annual achievment lists - the last one in 2008 saw 48,000 doing technical certificates in plumbing that year (silence from then-on).
This list is less than complete, but it makes a mockery of sector skills statistics in their SQS sector needs analysis (summitskills 2010), which predicted that around 3,000 plumbers would be needed annually between 2005 and 2010.
The document lists 39,740 skills achievements for plumbing and electrical, which still suggests an over-supply. In addition, we don't have the statistics for private providers or for ***mulative affects of 'over-supply' in previous years (those still looking for work).
But, for those thinking of entering plumbing, it gives a quick idea, of what vacancies have been advertised.
And...contrary to my assertion that there is an oversupply in the plumbing industry, there could be pockets of opportunity, according to the research published.