As the credits crunch and industries suffer, jobseekers in the United Kingdom are seeing plumbing as a more secure trade; recession-proof, if you will.

According to a recent article in the Daily Express, one British training provider saw interest in plumbing as a career surge 30 percent in two months.

However on this side of the pond ― though the economy is in a downturn and a skills gap remains ― the interest in plumbing has not seen nearly as impressive a jump. But that doesn’t mean organizations have relented in their search to fill needed trade positions.

Among the strong advocators for innovative recruitment is the United Association. I spoke with Philip Campbell from the UA’s training department about the state of things.

“Here at home we’re still having problems,” Campbell told me. “Both union and open shop companies are still trying to find tradesmen.”

He informed me that countries such as the U.K. and Canada have less governmental hindrances than in the United States (there is no licensing in Britain), and that engaging young-adults in the U.S. to join the plumbing and skilled trades still remains difficult.

With more than 300 Locals and training centers around the country, it was challenging for the UA to streamline its recruitment process. Now, with a more national approach, the organization can capture broader attention and has taken on several new initiatives to attract workers to the trade.

For instance, its Green Awareness Certification, through its collaboration with HVAC Excellence and the Mechanical Contractors Association among others, covers the entire green arena, which can help current new construction workers suffering from the housing downturn to transition into energy efficient service work or into the industrial building/alternative energy sector. I’ve read that green technologies also seem more attractive to younger workers.

In addition, the UA’s participation in programs such as Helmets To Hardhats, Hire A Hero and the UA’s own Veterans in Piping helps link returning military with careers in the industry.

The UA is also especially proud of its SkillsUSA involvement, since, as Campbell put it, those who enter the annual contest are already inclined toward the trade.

“We’re trying to take on those people who already show an interest,” he said, since one of the main problems with younger recruits is the lack of referrals from counselors at high schools and post secondary institutions.

Campbell also explained that the UA validates previous work experience and training and counts them toward a plumbing apprenticeship program, so students don’t have to “start over,” thus minimizing the length of time in apprenticeship.

“It’s been very successful, especially our accelerated welding program, which is taught in 16 weeks. Plus, students walk away with a marketable skill immediately,” he said.

Campbell agreed with the Daily Express article: He definitely sees plumbing as a stable job. Add to that the changing (green) technologies the industry is encountering, the opportunities of upgrading existing PHC systems, and shifting federal and state regulations, and a future in the plumbing industry should seem pretty bright ― and welcoming ― to jobseekers.

For more information about the United Association’s recruitment opportunities, visit www.ua.org.