ASSOCIATIONS 11
Adam Collier , Co-Founder and Co-CEO at BluLever , says that they want candidates who will succeed as apprentices . “ We want young people who are passionate about their work , interested in it , and willing to put three years into it .” Of the 509 applications received by Harambee , 47 were made offers to join the programme , 45 signed acceptance letters and 42 attended the leadership camp to begin their plumbing training .
Collier says the company ’ s apprenticeship takes itself seriously , focusing on the personal qualities and life skills that make all the difference to the candidates ’ future success .
BluLever attributes much of the success of its programme to the support of IOPSA and the relationships it develops with employers in the sector . Success depends on all stakeholders being involved , and the company has formed good relationships with about 80 companies to which trainees will be apprenticed to . These range from small plumbing businesses to larger construction and maintenance companies . They have a vested interest in the apprentices because they pay their stipends throughout the three years .
National Business Initiative introduces a new qualification . In 2019 , IOPSA led a process to register the Plumbing Hand skills programme , which has created a new entry-level pathway for young people into the plumbing industry . The entry-level qualification offers a short , high-impact route to employment . It comprises 13 weeks in the classroom hosted by select TVET colleges identified by the National Business Initiative ( NBI ) in partnership with IOPSA . Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator is responsible for recruiting , selecting and matching trainees based on their likelihood of success , considering their attributes and interests . The final selection in many cases is made by the host employer where the plumbing hand works under the supervision of a qualified plumber to learn a role that is vital in offices , hotels , or any building with plumbing where small things often go wrong , like leaking toilets or dripping taps .
Alongside an intensive focus on plumbing skills , the curriculum includes a range of work-readiness behaviours and attitudes . The Allan Gray Makers programme introduces the opportunities and possibilities for business ownership and entrepreneurship .
This is followed by six to nine months of structured workplace learning in a company under the supervision of a qualified , experienced plumber and candidates are regularly required to complete a logbook signed off by a mentor .
This much-needed intervention supplies the industry with the skills it needs while pathwaying young people into work as quickly as possible , especially those who do not have the funding to study for three years on a stipend . It also increases their chances of progressing to a Red Seal plumbing qualification as they achieve an accredited qualification that places them on the road to apprenticeship , and they can work while studying .
“ The Plumbing Hand programme provides a basis to shift the mindset of TVET colleges towards more employment-oriented programmes ,” says Anthony Gewer , a programme manager at NBI . “ The programme addresses the gap between theory and workplace application , laying the foundation for meaningful career pathways .”
To-date , a total of 66 TVET college students have been enrolled in the plumbing programme , with 32 successfully completing it in 2020 and the remaining due to finish in November 2021 . The current 86 % pass rate shows a significant increase to what TVET programmes have previously achieved . The first cohort of Plumbing Hand graduates have been registered with the Plumbing Industry Registration Board ( PIRB ) as Technical Operator Practitioners and are now on their way to becoming qualified plumbers .
Gender inclusion Both programmes have a particular focus on gender inclusion , with a minimum of 50 % of selected candidates being young women . Neither BluLever nor NBI battle to attract women to a career in plumbing .
Kaela Wilson , marketing director for Women in Plumbing , an organisation that advocates plumbing as a viable career for females , says some gender-specific traits give women an added advantage in the job .
“ Women have an eye for detail and patience for challenging situations ,” she says . “ They are also less threatening when coming into your private property or business , and women are better at communicating with the customer in an understandable and comfortable manner .”
In their own words Mothusi : “ The person I was before the boot camp is very much different from the person that I am right now . Now I can confidently interact with people , I ’ m able to confidently voice my concerns and stand my ground .” Zanele : “ What attracted me is that there are not many women that are doing plumbing . There is the stigma of saying that it is a man ’ s job . So , I want to be that role model that tells other women that you can do it . I want to go into water and sanitation because water is a scarce resource in South Africa .” Lulama : “ I believe that women have the drive , and they have that energy and that motivation to keep learning new things and to keep upskilling themselves , because we want to climb the ladder . Eventually , I want to upskill myself to be a master plumber .”
IOPSA research conducted two years ago found that of the 125 000 people who called themselves plumbers , fewer than 20 000 were qualified . This new industry-wide approach to plumber training not only gives young people a pathway into vocational work but will also bolster the number of qualified plumbers in South Africa . A win for our youth , a win for the sector and ultimately a win for our economy . PA
“ The Plumbing Hand programme provides a basis to shift the mindset of TVET colleges towards more employment-oriented programmes .”
August 2021 Volume 27 I Number 6 www . plumbingafrica . co . za