A two year pay deal has just been agreed for the 10,000 for workers employed under the Joint Industry Board (JIB) for plumbing and mechanical engineering services. A 3 per cent increase to rates and allowances from January 2011, repeated from January 2012, together with improved holiday pay and overtime hours, is aimed at increasing stability and security for both workers and employers at a time of widespread spending cuts and uncertainty in the current economic climate.The JIB or Joint Industry Board was first set up in the 1960's as a mediation service between union and employers associations, and today grades individuals according to their experience and qualifications, as well as setting national standards regarding wages and health and safety issues. Grading can range from apprentice upwards anyone studying the apprentice route or the adult trainee route automatically fulfils the criteria for membership and grading.The JIB pay deal announcement is good news that will have positive effect on the future security of the plumbing industry as a whole, even though research studies tend to always confirm the continued shortage of skilled plumbers, especially in renewable energy technology. Trainees on current plumbing courses or those thinking of a career switch at this time are assured that with the increasing development of popular green energy ground source heat pumps a rewarding future with job satisfaction and earning potential in prospect once qualified and fully experienced.The starting point for all plumbing training, is the City & Guilds Plumbing NVQ 6129 level 2 which provides a foundation knowledge of plumbing principles and an introduction to the various basic skills areas necessary needed to practice as a competent, qualified plumber. Moving onto Plumbing NVQ Level 3 is the next stage in career development and from there the option to learning to install gas central heating systems and solar heating courses.