As we have seen over the last 14 years a lot of damage has been done to the industry by the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board and the Industry Training Organisations. The big question now is how do we correct the damage?

So let's imagine we forget about the Board and say they don't exist and their function is taken over by a licensing authority or such like. What difference will it make to us as an industry?

A series of events and questions have now started a POSITIVE proactive initiative in conjunction with Mitre 10 MEGA Upper Hutt, where they are going to restrict the sale of sanitary plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying items. ONLY registered tradespeople will be able to purchase these items on production of proof of qualification. Read on to find out more

Linkback: https://www.plumbers.nz/fellow-practitioners-update/41/fellow-practitioner-issue-214-dated-11-july-2014/1714/

Plumber, I think they will see how it goes in Upper Hutt.  If it goes well it is likely to spread to Petone and Porirua in Wellington.  I would imagine that the other Mitre 10's around the country will watch with great interest.  The other more traditional merchants are already slinging the shit about it - I would love to be a fly on the wall at the suppliers to the merchants.  I bet they are saying one thing to Mico and Plumbing World, and something quite different to Mitre 10.  Bottom line is that plumbers now have a choice to support those that support them.  The traditional merchants could start to put up barriers to members of the public who are trying to purchase from them and help themselves.