What is the Singapore Plumbing Society?

The Singapore Plumbing Society (SPS) is a nationally recognized organization dedicated to the plumbing profession in Singapore. It offers membership to qualified tradesmen and professionals within the plumbing industry and acts as a representative body for the profession and its associated sectors.

Overview

The Singapore Plumbing Society (SPS) was established with the primary goal of representing and advancing the interests of plumbers in Singapore. It plays a pivotal role in various aspects of the industry:

  1. Advocacy and Representation: SPS is a key advocate for the plumbing profession. Through regular dialogues with relevant organizations, government, and quasi-government bodies, it ensures that the concerns and aspirations of its members are addressed. This engagement shapes policies and regulations affecting the plumbing industry.
  2. Industry Development: SPS strengthens ties with local and international commercial organizations and government authorities. This fosters collaborations, partnerships, and knowledge exchange, essential for the industry's growth. Moreover, SPS promotes Singaporean plumbing and related sectors on a global scale, attracting investments, technologies, and best practices.
  3. Technological and Material Advancements: In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, SPS stresses the importance of adopting the latest advancements in the plumbing sector. It also advocates for the use of sustainable materials in plumbing, ensuring longevity, reliability, and eco-friendliness.
  4. Quality and Environmental Stewardship: SPS promotes initiatives focused on quality, environmental conservation, and consumer protection, ensuring the industry upholds the highest standards of integrity and sustainability.
  5. Knowledge Enhancement: Recognizing the industry's dynamic nature, SPS organizes regular training courses led by industry experts. These sessions equip plumbers with the latest techniques and best practices, broadening their horizons and ensuring they stay updated with industry trends.
  6. Promoting Competitiveness: SPS ensures its members remain competitive by providing timely information on commercial and technological trends. This empowers members to adopt the latest technologies and best practices, enhancing their service offerings.

Source: About Us | Singapore Plumbing Society

Membership in the Singapore Plumbing Society

The Singapore Plumbing Society (SPS) offers membership to individuals and entities associated with the plumbing industry in Singapore. Membership categories and their respective privileges are as follows:

  1. Members (With Voting Rights):
    • Description: These are individuals who have obtained a PUB Licensed Plumber status and are registered with the SPS.
    • Privileges: Access to SPS publications, preferential rates for SPS events and advertisements, and access to the SPS Library.
  2. Members (Without Voting Rights):
    • Associate Members: Individuals without a PUB Plumber License but registered with the SPS.
    • Corporate Members: Companies in the plumbing sector.
    • Privileges (Associate Members): Similar to Members with voting rights.
    • Privileges (Corporate Members): Includes free 6-month product/service advertisement on the SPS website and two product/service presentations at SPS premises annually.

Membership applications are subject to the approval of the SPS's Executive Committee. The criteria for approval are based on the applicant's qualifications in the plumbing sector, as stipulated in the SPS Constitution.

There are no copies of the SPS Constitution available online.

Digital Marketplace for Licensed Plumbers in Singapore

The Singapore Plumbing Society (SPS), in partnership with the national water agency PUB, introduced the Tender/Job Portal on 26 May 2023, a digital marketplace for licensed plumbers. This platform allows these plumbers to bid on projects posted by professionals, such as interior designers and facility managers.

The portal's creation is part of a broader initiative to elevate the plumbing profession's standards in Singapore. To be licensed, plumbers are required to meet specific qualifications and undergo two years of supervision by an already licensed plumber. This ensures they can manage intricate water infrastructure projects.

This initiative is aligned with a 10-year operations and technology roadmap, co-developed in 2021 by the SPS and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), aiming to rejuvenate the local plumbing workforce.

Mentorship Programme

The Singapore Plumbing Society offers a mentorship programme specifically designed for individuals who have had their licensed plumber applications approved by the PUB. This mandatory 40-hour programme ensures that participants are equipped with the necessary practical skill sets and industry knowledge essential for the plumbing profession.

The programme is part of a broader initiative to uplift standards within the plumbing industry in Singapore. After completing the mentorship, participants are required to undergo both written and oral assessments. Only those who successfully pass these assessments are issued a plumbing license by PUB.

Source: Plumber Licence | GoBusiness Singapore

Future Strategy

SPS has outlined its strategy for the upcoming decade, focusing on:

  • Maintaining its relevance to members.
  • Building close ties with the broader engineering industry, government authorities, and academic institutions.
  • Adapting to the changing employment patterns of its members.
  • Ensuring the needs and aspirations of its members are prioritized in its policies and activities.
  • SPS also recognizes the need to cater to a broader customer base, including specialist suppliers, retailers, government bodies, employers, business partners, property owners, and educational institutions.

Conclusion

The Singapore Plumbing Society plays an instrumental role in enhancing the quality of life through high plumbing and sanitation standards. With various initiatives and programmes, SPS continues to lead advancements in the plumbing sector in Singapore.

Contact the Singapore Plumbing Society

Written by
Zames is the co-founder of Repair.sg and a skilled technician with seven years of hands-on experience serving thousands of customers in the field. He holds a builder certificate in plumbing and pipefitting and an air-conditioner installer's license. He is concurrently enrolled in the Licensed Electrician Preparatory Course at Singapore Polytechnic, attending classes in the evenings to pursue his electrician's license while co-managing the operations of Repair.sg during the day.