Plumbing has come out as the top most ‘in demand’ job in a survey of the most recession proof job sectors in the UK.
Train 4 Trade Skills says there are currently more than 30,000 unfilled plumbing vacancies in the UK, despite figures that show an average plumber earns between £30-35,000 a year and many earn more than £40,000.

According to Train 4 Trade Skills, whose home-study courses train up plumbers, the wider availability of higher education and the failure of poorly paid apprenticeships lured many people away from practical trades including plumbing.

In recent years, the jobs shortfall has been exacerbated by demand for British plumbers in Australia. A flood of immigrants filled the skills gap, but now Train 4 Trade Skills says as workers return to their stronger central and eastern European economies, the need for plumbers is greater than it’s ever been.

Mike Head, marketing manager for Train 4 Trade Skills said “With a conservative estimate of half a million jobs becoming redundant over the coming year, more and more workers are looking for career switches. Plumbing is well paid, flexible and plumbers are in demand'.