The Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP) welcomes Andy Burnham’s plans to expand technical education opportunities for secondary school students, building on the success of the Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc).
The new pathways will give 14-year-olds access to technical skills, work experience, and connections with local employers. His goal is to put technical education on equal footing with the traditional academic route, thereby giving young people the skills needed to succeed in adult life.
CuSP believes the expansion of technical education pathways will play a role in encouraging more young people to consider careers in plumbing and other trades. This new generation of plumbers can popularise the usage of eco-friendly materials and sustainable building if this becomes a key part of their training.
The organisation is particularly pleased with the MBacc’s Construction and Green Economy pathway, which aligns closely with CuSP’s advocacy for sustainable construction practices that will make it easier to reach net-zero goals.
As the plumbing sector deals with an ageing workforce, it is incredibly important for a new, younger generation to get involved in the profession. 750,000 workers are expected to retire from the industry by 2036 and there is an insufficient number of young tradespeople to replace them.
Furthermore, according to the Chartered Institute of Building, nearly two thirds of the workforce are over 35 and the total number of construction workers under the age of 30 have seen the biggest decrease. Introducing students to technical careers at an earlier stage will hopefully inspire more youth to pursue plumbing and government apprenticeships. This is imperative considering that it is estimated that over 70,000 new plumbers are needed by 2032 to keep up with demand in the sector.
CuSP also sees the programme as an opportunity to educate this wave of young people on the benefits of copper. Copper is infinitely recyclable, highly durable, and heat resistant, making it an indispensable tool in sustainable building practices and eco-friendly plumbing skills. CuSP remains committed to supporting education and training initiatives that champion young people and create a skilled eco-conscious workforce that is prepared to challenge environmentally harmful practices in the sector.
Oliver Lawton, Co-Founder of CuSP said: “Andy Burnham’s commitment to expanding technical education opportunities for young people is a welcome development for both the construction sector and the wider economy. This move can help inspire the next generation of plumbers and tradespeople while addressing the industry’s growing skills gap and promoting sustainability in the sector. This kind of drastic change could be exactly what is needed to help undo some of the damage that has been done to the planet and to create a workforce that says no to plastic and yes to copper. We look forward to seeing the impact this initiative will have.”
Founded by Lawton Tubes and Mueller Europe (Wednesbury Tube), CuSP comprises of two competing copper tube manufacturers who have joined forces to promote the environmental benefits of copper and speak out against the plastic greenwash.
