Master Plumbers Welcomes Consultation on CPD for Plumbers

Master Plumbers has welcomed the release by the Victorian Government of the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for plumbing (and building) practitioners.

Master Plumbers has advocated for the implementation of a mandatory CPD program within the plumbing industry and argues that plumbing is a highly specialised field where CPD is essential to keep abreast of technological advancements, changing standards and best practices.

GALLERY  

Master Plumbers chief executive Peter Daly says that since 2019, Master Plumbers has been running a highly successful voluntary CPD program for the plumbing industry in which more than 4,000 plumbers are actively participating; but the industry will benefit from a mandatory scheme covering all of Victoria’s approximately 31,000 registered and licensed plumbers.

“In an industry as dynamic as plumbing – where innovations, technologies, systems, techniques and materials are being developed, refined, combined and incorporated into the built environment daily, keeping abreast of changes and reinforcing knowledge is not a ‘nice to have’,  it’s necessary to ensure currency,” he says.

“The key to a successful scheme is to be industry-led and industry-driven. The design and operation of CPD need to be relevant and valuable to practitioners and have the right mix of technical and professional development activity. Critically, it must get and maintain practitioner buy-in; not become a compliance-driven tick-a-box exercise.”

He adds that in preparing a formal response to the RIS, Master Plumpers noted the recognition that industry associations are critical to successfully designing and executing CPD programs and the government’s commitment to phase in a mandatory scheme.

“While this will not be a big leap for many Master Plumbers members to whom CPD is second nature, it remains a significant change for the broader plumbing industry,” Peter explains.

“The Victorian Government needs to recognise this and support the industry as it transitions to a new level of professionalism.”

The CPD for builders and plumbers is currently open for public feedback 

Image courtesy of Jan Zakelj on Pexels.

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