Investigation into Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board CPD requirements

The Federation of Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers (the Federation) represents tradesmen subject to the jurisdiction of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (the Board). It complained about a number of issues relating to continuing professional development courses (CPD courses) the Board requires tradesmen to complete each year as a pre-condition of being re-licensed. The Federation submitted that the Board was not legally entitled to impose CPD requirements under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006 (the 2006 Act), and that CPD courses were not “necessary” under the 2006 Act and imposed “undue costs” on tradesmen.

In my opinion:

• it was reasonably open to the Board to conclude that the Gazette Notices promulgating CPD requirements for tradesmen were valid;

• the Board had consulted adequately with tradesmen about its proposals to require tradesmen to complete the CPD courses each year; and

• it was reasonably open to the Board to conclude the CPD courses were “necessary” and did not “impose undue costs” on tradesmen in terms of the 2006 Act.