BUSINESS AND TRAINING
23
Technicians with NQF Level 4 in water and wastewater reticulation services in the municipal environment are not allowed to test and issue a CoC as they are not qualified plumbers . This can be understood in terms of the building industry and I agree with this rule . I do however question that these technicians cannot issue a CoC for sewerage pipe installations and water pipelines as they ae not qualified plumbers . I see this as two separate fields of work . Plumbing is a trade , and water , and wastewater reticulation services is a learnership , but they operate in two different environments and cannot be compared as the same thing .
The fact that technicians in the municipal environment cannot issue a PIRB CoC is understood as they are not trade-tested Plumbers , but there is no professional body for these technicians . They can register with PIRB under a different category , but not as a licensed plumber which , again , is because they are not qualified plumbers . Technicians will have to go for further training in plumbing and pass the plumbing trade test to register and qualify to issue a CoC .
Should a technician complete the plumbing trade , but may never practice plumbing ? Do we expect people to qualify in plumbing simply because they need to have the authority to issue a CoC on their own work environment where they are already regarded a professional ?
These technicians do not work as plumbers , but as water and wastewater servicepeople within an environment that does not require the services of a plumber although plumbers are also used for this function .
As a PIRB plumber , I fully agree and comply with the requirements for plumbers , but as I explained , I do not fully agree with ( or maybe understand ) the requirements for technicians in the municipal environment .
Looking at operators in water or wastewater purification in municipalities or private water services providers , all these positions can apply for professional status with a regulating body , but this does not apply to water and wastewater reticulation services . Maybe it is time to consider this in a different way . It might be a good idea to leave things as they are , or maybe consider other alternatives such as allowing technicians to test water and wastewater pipes and issue CoCs for those items .
It may be that we need to consider further training for plumbers and technicians on NQF L5 and L6 . I am hoping to initiate a review of our way of thinking in our industry and the possibility of higher-level studies in plumbing and water and wastewater reticulation without having to study for a civil or structural engineer degree / diploma .
I think our trade has evolved to such an extent that the traditional thinking can be revised and if needed , be amended .
Editor ’ s comment : George raises some important issues which do need to be aired and worked on . Let us have your views , thoughts , and ideas . Send them to : rory @ interactmedia . co . za ) PA
June 2021 Volume 27 I Number 4 www . plumbingafrica . co . za