Career changers in demand

Where installers are now recruiting staff

Renovations and the replacement of heating systems are fueling the demand for plumbers.(Bild: Paul Bradbury/KOTO - stock.adobe)

Out with oil, out with gas! The trend towards changing heating systems, fueled by subsidies, is causing a boom and keeping installers' order books full. Federal guild master Manfred Denk recently revealed in Wels why the industry is also attractive for career changers.

Postponed or canceled construction projects, waiting for subsidies and then, as soon as the money tap is turned on, the rush for subsidies and therefore pure stress - plumbing, heating and ventilation technicians, who are in huge demand due to the need for investment in heating systems, feel like they are on a rollercoaster.

We have a slight increase in the number of apprentices. Young people want to work in a field where they can make a difference in terms of the energy and climate transition.

Manfred Denk, Bundesinnungsmeister Sanitär-, Heizungs- und Lüftungstechnik

At the Energiesparmesse in Wels, Federal Guild Master Manfred Denk revealed that "the installers have full order books, even if the new construction sector is causing us some concern". Staff are needed to satisfy the high demand.

Manfred Denk is the Federal Guild Master of Plumbing, Heating and Ventilation Technology.(Bild: Andreas Kraus)

The industry is also fishing in other areas, Denk explains: "We're getting lateral entrants, we have an influx from the roofing sector." A better wage situation is likely to encourage people to switch jobs: "We pay a little more thanks to a different collective agreement."

At the same time, the guild is working on making the apprenticeship more attractive and wants to shorten the training period from four to three and a half years: "But there is currently headwind from the vocational schools."