A shocking investigation has exposed how so-called 'cowboy' plumbers are running intensive five-day courses that teach complete novices how to pass themselves off as qualified tradesmen. Disturbingly, a significant portion of the training is dedicated to instructing students on how to overcharge, or 'upsell', to customers.
The 'Plumbers Goldmine Academy' Promise
Organiser Taher Shah boasts that his £395 course has helped thousands with no prior experience to rake in hundreds of pounds an hour on emergency call-outs. Promoted heavily on TikTok and other social media platforms where Shah is often pictured in a cowboy hat, the 'Plumbers Goldmine Academy' claims to provide 'five years experience in five days'.
An undercover reporter who attended a course held on an industrial estate in Birmingham was told by the instructor: 'You'll be amazed how easy it is.' The instructor admitted the focus was not on skill. 'We aren't focused on the repair and the skill of the plumbing. Plumbing is really easy. Five days is too much,' he said.
Targeting Customers and 'Golden Tips' for Overcharging
The course allegedly splits its time 50-50 between basic skills and lessons in how to maximise income from customers. Instructors passed on 'golden tips and tricks' on 'upselling' – a thinly-veiled term for overcharging. Shockingly, teachers explicitly advised students to target British customers over those from Asian backgrounds.
The instructor told students, many of whom had Asian heritage themselves: 'You want to work for British people. Not for Pakistanis, Afghans, Bangladeshis, Asian, you don't want to do that... British people, they don't use that stuff. They're easier to work with.' He claimed Asian customers would haggle or use shared religion to ask for discounts.
Students were taught to 'read the customer' to set prices, with the same job potentially earning anywhere from £50 to £2,000. They were even advised on a deceptive tactic: if a customer complained about price, they should pretend to call a non-existent 'office' or 'boss' to ask for a fake discount.
Industry Warns of Danger Amid National Shortage
These courses are exploiting a critical national shortage of skilled plumbers. The UK needs at least 70,000 new recruits by 2032, according to the UK Trade Skills Index 2023. Kevin Wellman, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), issued a stern warning.
'Plumbing is a highly skilled profession that cannot be learned properly in a few days,' Wellman stated. 'These types of courses are not recognised qualifications and carry risks both for those undertaking them and for the public.' He emphasised that proper training requires a four-year apprenticeship to master practical skills, theory, and safety standards.
Wellman warned that relying on such crash courses could result in poorly executed work, serious injuries, or costly damage. He urged consumers to always verify a plumber's qualifications and registration.
In response to the allegations, a spokesman for the course insisted it was only a 'basic practical introduction to plumbing' and that they do not claim it makes someone fully qualified. He denied teaching dishonesty or urging students to target British customers, calling those claims 'completely false and against our values'.
