Christmas message from SNIPEF president John Doherty
December 16, 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, it has been another largely positive year for the plumbing and heating profession in Scotland and Northern Ireland. And I hope that this feeling of positivity is something that our more than 700 members have also experienced.
It has been a year of ups and downs, but our Q4 State of Trade report has highlighted the continued stability and resilience of the sector despite the ongoing financial and recruitment challenges.
This stability has also been reflected in the confidence levels of the profession more generally, as our members continue to share a positive outlook for their own businesses' future.
However, there has been a sharp decline in confidence in the UK economy following the recent budget announcement. It is only natural for our members to feel a sense of worry with a change of government and continued financial uncertainty, but the plumbing and heating profession remains on a solid footing to face the challenges ahead.
The Government’s promise to support housebuilding and construction should instill confidence in our members that there are opportunities to grow and develop their businesses. Moreover, the demand for the plumbing and heating trade remains high, and we are confident that this sense of stability will continue as we head into the new year.
I take this opportunity to ask all members to consider recruiting an apprentice in 2025.
Apprentice numbers fell in 2024 and we, as a profession, need to keep the numbers up if we are going to flourish in future years. In this season of Good Will, remember that someone once gave you a chance, now it's your turn to give a new apprentice the same life changing opportunity you once received.
We hope that 2025 will prove to be another prosperous year for the plumbing and heating profession and we promise to support and update you on the latest developments every step of the way.
Everyone at SNIPEF would like to wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year when it comes.
John Doherty, President of SNIPEF.
