The demand for skilled plumbers is on the rise globally, driven by infrastructure development, urbanisation, and water conservation efforts. The South African Department of Higher Education and Training has identified plumbing as a scarce skill, making it an attractive career choice, says Willie Matthiae, Operational Manager of Africa Skills.
With water in abundance currently in many parts of our country but still a forever scare and essential commodity now and in the future, everyone on the planet needs clean water continually as everyone is and will be drinking water, cooking, bathing or showering and do toilet flushing.
Think about it:
- The average person uses around 300-380 litres of water per day (drinking, cooking, bathing and toilet flushing.) Clean water is essential for relaxation and sport.
- The average person drinks around 2,3 litres of water per day (830 litres per year) to replace body water used for breathing, sweating and other bodily functions.
- The average person takes around 1-2 baths or showers per day (700-1 400 baths or showers per year and 56 000 – 112 000 baths/showers per assumed 80 years)
- The average person spends around 3 years of their lifetime on a toilet.
- A single dripping tap can waste up to 75 litres of water per day (±27 600 litres per year!)
According to IOPSA (Institute of Plumbing South Africa – https://iopsa.org), there is a significant need for qualified plumbers. Considering becoming a Red Seal certified plumber will secure a respected, high in demand career which is regarded to be increasingly rewarding.
According to Matthiae QCTO and SETA accredited Red Seal Plumbers are a relatively small fraternity of professional clean water management superheroes in South Africa. This profession offers a rewarding and challenging career with excellent remuneration potential.
The efficient management of vital plumbing sanitation resources, such as water, is a responsibility entrusted only to qualified plumbers, says Matthiae.
Hand in hand with the industry and training institutions IOPSA actively works to address the growing gap in what is considered a ‘priority trade’. Apprenticeship programs and collaborations with training institutions to produce qualified plumbers and other artisans is now more essential than ever.
Listen up ladies: with a focus on inclusivity IOPSA aims to increase the number of women entering the plumbing industry through targeted initiatives. According to www.plumbingafrica.co.za IOPSA has been busy developing a new generation of plumbing artisans over the past five years.
World Plumber Day 2025 has been celebrated on March 11. Annually it is an ideal time to recognise and remember the role of our Red Seal Plumbers.
The celebration of the key role of qualified Plumbers magnifies the amazing opportunity of a professional plumbing career to live your passion, make an enormous and essential difference in everyday life. Professionally qualified plumbers are among the best remunerated artisans internationally.
Matthiae says accredited, internationally accepted Red Seal Plumber artisanship is available at Africa Skills Ntaka in George and at VereenigingTech. Other suppliers of career-ready occupational training include IETI in Gqerberha, Cape Town and Roodepoort and Durnacol Skills Hub near Newcastle.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Jan Greyling – 082 556 8778 / jan@uxi-ad.co.za
Red Seal Occupational Certificate Electrician Qualification:
- 3 Years Training full time.
- 3 Months of each year: Knowledge and Practical
- 9 months of each year: Workplace Experience
Admission Requirements:
- NQF Level 3 (Grade 11)
- Qualification equivalent to N2 knowledge
- Engineering Mathematics
- Science
- Building Drawings
Personal Attributes:
- Technical Skills
- Tool Mastery
- Physical Fitness
- Problem-Solving Ability
- Communication Skills
- Customer Service Skills
Knowledge Modules:
- Health, Safety, Quality and Legislation
- Environment, Energy Efficiency and Ethics
- Tools, Equipment, Components and Site Practice
- Drawings and Applied Sciences
- Theory of Water and Drainage Excavation
- Above and Below Ground Drainage Systems
- Sanitary ware
- Hot and cold-water systems
- Installation and Maintenance Theory for Plumbing Systems
Practical Skills:
- Install, maintain and test above-ground soil waste and vent systems and sanitary ware appliances
- Install, maintain and test below-ground drainage systems
- Install, maintain and test cold water and hot water systems
- Install, maintain and test rainwater systems
Work Experience:
- Processes and procedures for installation and testing of above ground soil waste and vent systems and sanitary ware appliances
- Processes and procedures for installation and testing of below-ground drainage systems and performing basic building work
- Procedures and processes for installation and maintenance of cold water and hot water systems
- Procedures and processes for installation and maintenance of rainwater systems
Workplaces:
- Residential Plumbers
- Commercial Plumbers
- Industrial Plumbers
- Construction Plumbers
- Sanitary Plumbers
Working Hours:
- Full-time employee
- Contract specified work hours
- Outside traditional business hours
- Overtime at additional pay
- Self-employed
Workplace Hazards:
- Proper Ventilation
- Wear a Mask
- Wear Eye Protection
- Protect Your Ears
- Cover Up to protect you from cuts, burns, and harmful substances
- Wear Protective Footwear
- Watch Out for Electrical Hazards
Nature of the profession:
- You will install
- You will maintain.
- You will repair pipes, fixtures, and appliances that are connected to water and gas systems
- Your work will involve troubleshooting and problem-solving
- You will be working with various materials and tool
Remuneration potential:
- Red Seal certified plumbers can earn competitive salaries
- Median salaries ranging from R250,000 to over R500,000 per year
- Depending on experience and location
Specialisation areas:
- Above-ground soil waste and vent systems
- Sanitaryware appliances
- Below-ground drainage systems
- Basic building work plumbing
- Cold water and hot water systems
- Rainwater systems
Where to study Red Seal Plumbing:
Several institutions in South Africa are accredited to offer occupational certificate Plumber training, including:
- Africa Skills George
IETI (Industries Education and Training Institute)
- IETI CapeTech
- IETI Gqeberha
- IETI Roodepoort
- Durnacol Newcastle