If the plumbing gasfitting and drainlaying industry was your business, owned by you or a number of shareholders, would you tolerate a supplier blackmailing you or placing demands on you. No way you would tell them to PISS OFF and you would look elsewhere.

I hope this rumour isn't true but alas it doesn't surprise me as everyone knows most people in the industry don't speak up and just go with the flow so that leaves the opportunity for suppliers to walk all over us. A watchdog that doesn't bark or bite is not going to do much good so I'll be following this up with my local MP and urge you to do the same.

No. But I'll tell you what, all parties should be looking at this issue and doing something about it but it's not vote catching or glamorous enough for any of them. It proves they all pay lip service to the health and safety of the public.   It's a lot like the Occupational Health and Safety regulatory regime that's been implemented where the trades people get hammered with costs etc but the average Joe can do what they want at home without fear of prosecution.
 

As it stands you could say that the Government and the industry (apprentice/employer) are paying around $24,000 for an apprentice and the employer has to do all the training so what are we actually paying for - the right to have an apprentice?

Agree with you totally on that one Jaxcat.

Everyone in the industry needs to be the best that they can be not just think they are the best. We all need to do better and fight for real training.