A bit of relevant history...
Employment and training in gas and plumbing was thrown into the free market at the end of the 80's, and the seeds for a skills shortage were sown at that time.
The demand for plumbing and gas services (particularly gas) outstripped supply and the industry saw some very good times. Setting up in business was relatively easy in the sense that customers were chasing skills, and so very little business acumen was required.
In the late 90's FE colleges were brought into the field of training with a brief to address the skills shortage. Also, the increasing emphasis and adjustment to the idea of paying for training was fuelled by the promise of good earnings from setting up in the industry, which spurred on the private training sector.
The FE and the private input into training starting turning the skills shortage around at the beginning of the millennium, i.e. the curve stopped climbing and took a downward path and supply and demand became more balanced. Then along came the credit crunch and the resulting recession, which has made quite an impact on demand for services.
Another dimension (which might be debated by some) is that the new wave of condensing boilers in the early 90's started with boilers that were less reliable than the current ones are, and manufacturer's are now capitalising on the greater reliability of the latest models by providing long warranties of 5, 7, and in some cases 10 years. So yet another factor making an impact on the demand for services.
Another trend that has yet to establish itself is the introduction of pay-as-you-go boilers, e.g. where the boiler is purchased by way of long-term finance plans, or on a rental basis. Which is the province of the bigger installers working hand in hand with finance companies - my own suspicions is that some manufacturer's are involved as well. If this trend becomes established then it will undoubtedly take work away from the small installer. Although it will create jobs for qualified people - but probably at minimal rates for the industry, as the employers will capitalise on the now well established reverse imbalance in the supply and demand of labour.
Had the economy not been hit by a recession, the return to balance in supply and demand would have been more gradual, but it was well underway anyway, and was inevitable. I don't think the plumbing and gas industry will see a return of the golden days it saw during the 90's and first decade of the millennium.
The current recession will no doubt pick up in time, but there are other structural issues around that I think will affect the standard of living of ordinary working people in this country for decades to come, not least, being the effect China is having on the world's economy with their abundance of cheap labour combined with state of the art technology and a thirst for education and training that even the Germans can't keep up with. How far the success of China's business activities will go to suck affluence out of other world economies remains to be seen. What I find ironic is that the only serious consideration I have seen given to such a prospect has been by the Chinese themselves - ten years ago I read an article written for the Chinese authorities warning of the perils of their success leading to failure if they so deplete other economies that their foreign markets fail.
Our own politicians seem far too caught up in blaming each other and spinning up short-term policies aimed at winning over the populist press in the hope of re-election to give any serious consideration to long-term planning. Although I suspect they are actively brokering a recalibration of expectation re the general standard of living for working people in the UK.
In Britain we seem to be in denial of the effect of China's success on our own economy - the received wisdom here being to blame unemployment on those who can't find work, rather than take account of wider structural factors.
The bottom line for any small business providing a service to the community is that success or failure rest on how much money ordinary people have in their pockets.
However, people will always need water in their homes, and probably gas for a good while longer yet. So while things have changed in the industry, there is still business around, all-be-it that there are more people chasing it, and competition is getting fiercer.
New arrivals to most industries are usually keener and more energised than the old-timers who feel weary, and having known better times, feel dissatisfied and disillusioned with the current downfall and state of affairs.
Fools will rush in where wisemen know better, and some will go to the wall quickly, but then others (the brighter and more determined ones) will learn from their mistakes and go forward.
Six thousand pounds is a lot of money if seen in terms of the savings of someone on the average wage, but it doesn't buy a lot of training. Compared to what graduates are paying for their education it's peanuts. But, do your research well before parting with your money, and make sure you get the best value possible. The biggest hurdle may be the experiential side of things, i.e. skills require practice to develop.
Apart from acquiring the necessary trade skills, you will need some business acumen re marketing, and some IT skills will be useful. Personally, I think 'social skills' can be overrated, as being polite and knowing what you are talking about will go a long way with most people. Better to explain things honestly, than blag someone with a load of BS that they may realise was just sales pitch later on. Marketing skills are becoming an essential in the current climate, but word of mouth is always the best kind of marketing for a small business.
Gas and plumbing is no where near as lucrative as it has been in the past, but then what is?
If you have better options, then look hard at them, and compare the benefits and risks between all your options.
The bottom line is that people will always need plumbers, and gas fitters for many years to come, so there will always be some work around, the issue will be how hungry you are, and how motivated you are to go out there and get it.
Good luck with whatever you decide to go for.
