NEWS
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1
and they will access funding by supporting you through
the workplace skills plan,” said Donaldson.
2
Thomas Erumeda presented on BEE opportunities for
plumbers. Steve Brown concluded the evening with a
presentation on the Plumbing Industry Registration Board
(PIRB) and continuing professional development (CPD).
In his presentation, Brown stressed the importance of
having insight about the industry. “Knowledge is key and
strength,” he said. He also mentioned the importance
of uplifting the industry standards. Brown said that
plumbers were not adequately taught through training or
mentoring programmes and thus not given the correct
skills to allow them to do their jobs properly. “It’s scary
that we’ll go out and judge individuals on the quality of
work that they are doing, not realising that they haven’t
been taught anything better. I think that’s what we need
to get across: we are trying to uplift the citizens.”
In addition to providing a networking platform for
plumbers, the event also provided much-needed
information and education as a way of improving the
current state of the plumbing industry. Sello Mokawane,
a plumber and member of IOPSA, said there was
improvement in the industry, despite the many changes
happening within the industry. “As IOPSA, we are trying
our level best to standardise the industry.”
The plumbing industry continues to face challenges,
especially with people claiming to be plumbers without
having the required professional skills and expertise.
Events such as the plumbers evening are a way
of working to improve the industry and make it as
professional as possible. This evening was the first of its
kind in the Gauteng region; however, IOPSA would like to
host similar events in all regions of South Africa. PA
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
1. Dean Cane addressing
attendees of the plumbers
evening for IOPSA
Gauteng region.
2. Renier Snyman, DPI
Plastics technical and
product manager, in the
new HDPE factory.
3. Some of the pipes
manufactured at DPI
Plastics’ new HDPE factory
in Johannesburg.
3
“Knowledge is key
and strength.”
July 2017 Volume 23 I Number 5