Auckland is predicted to have a shortfall of over 600 plumbers within 2 years - a 60 percent undersupply. The Master Plumber's Association says that's because too few plumbers are taking on apprentices as it has become too costly and difficult. Its chief executive, Greg Wallace says at the same time some polytechs are offering certificates in plumbing and gasfitting at a cost of over 2-thousand dollars for a year long course.
Yet, he says, no one in the industry wants to take those students on as they often lack work experience ..
