Do you have difficulty finding a plumber (un fontanero)? If you have the good fortune to know of a good 'un, how quickly does he respond to an emergency?
You are not alone with such problems. It is reported that Spain is some 25,000 plumbers short of what the country needs.
Could women help to fill the gap? There are female plumbers but they represent a mere 0.6 per cent of the total number of plumbers.
Furthermore, in the next ten years 20 per cent of plumbers are due to retire.
[Dreamstime]
Why are youngsters not taking up apprenticeships? Many prefer to work in an office or in hospitality.
And AI cannot help much.
Put another way Spain has 13 plumbers for every 10,000 inhabitants, compared to 23 in France and 32 in Germany.
69.5 per cent of Spanish plumbers are aged between 30 and 54, 20.4 per cent are 55 or more. Only 10 per cent are under 30.
Tales of plumbers charging 200 euros for 20 minutes work are commonplace.
So, what are the solutions?
An advertising campaign to encourage youngsters to take up apprenticeships, with a particular focus on young women.
Conversion courses for older folk in other trades or professions. An experienced plumber can earn good money.
[Facebook]
Grants for employers to enable them to pay trainees more attractive wages.
Evening classes for the general public to learn basic plumbing skills.
© Pablo de Ronda
Pictures:
Dreamstime, Facebook
Thanks:
Daniel Mendez, Diario SUR, INE, Paul Whitelock, SEPE, XL Semanal
Tags:
advertising campaign, apprenticeship, AI, conversion course, Daniel Mendez, Diario SUR, Dreamstime, evening class, Facebook, fontanero, grant, INE, Paul Whitelock, plumber, SEPE, XL Semanal