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The South African plumbing environment has many challenges— one critical downfall being plumbing installation compliance. This not only relates to the quality of installation, but also meeting the safety and performance requirements of the South African National Standards( SANS) and manufacturers’ guidelines.

By

Gary Macnamara, executive director of IOPSA

This critical downfall of industry can be directly linked to lack of enforcement of regulation, as well as insufficient quality training, education, and awareness of the plumbing regulations and by-laws.

Therefore, one of the key objectives of the IOPSA Manufacturer Forum was to facilitate a solution for skills development within the industry.

The IOPSA Manufacturer Forum was created to both listen to and understand the concerns of plumbing manufacturers, as well as facilitate industry sustainable solutions. This forum is open to all manufacturing members of IOPSA. The other key concerns of the forum include enforcement of plumbing regulations, testing and certification of products, as well as water conservation.

Gary Macnamara, executive director of IOPSA.

In terms of the Skills Development Act, National Development Plan, and National Skills Development Strategy, the mandate and framework for skills development within the South African environment is unmistakeable.

So, the question is why does such a massive gap in competent plumbing skills exist?

IOPSA has been fortunate to contribute to these challenges positively, working within the existing framework and with the Department of Higher Education, EWSETA, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations( QCTO), and other stakeholders and partners.

IOPSA has identified many critical concerns within the three key contracting parties that are involved in developing an individual. This, together with operational challenges of government stakeholders, is preventing the natural flow of skills development required by industry.

www. plumbingafrica. co. za June 2017 Volume 23 I Number 4