I read the piece on plumbers (The Argus Life, February 4) with deep sadness and bewilderment.

To state that the shortfall of plumbers and electricians is because training colleges cannot cope with demand is typical of the lofty attitude that nearly killed the industry.

For years, school leavers have been encouraged into higher education at all costs and it is only now we are witnessing the legacy of such a policy - university fees, vocational prospects and so on.

I find it ironic this article stated that a huge demand for skilled labour had been created by home-improvement TV programmes.

Many tradesmen still suffer now from the "watchdog fetish" that was born during the easy-target era of the past two decades. They're not all cloth bags and plungers you know.

I am extremely pleased for the young man mentioned in the article and wish him all the best in his career - and anyone else of whatever age (what an industry, eh?) wishing to learn a skilled trade.

I feel strongly, however, that this skill shortage could have been avoided by better educated politicians (of all persuasions), media personnel and think-tank gurus - there are no unions as such.

Many plumbers in their 30s have not seen too many younger people follow them into the trade in the 15 or so years since the last recession took away many of the larger companies.

My sincere hope is that the vacuum is filled by all the right people (it's very under-rated) and that skilled labour as a whole is afforded a better deal in future.

-Steve Atkins, Dudley Road, Brighton