A swept up website developed by Master Plumbers, Gasfitters, & Drainlayers NZ Inc is the focus of a renewed effort to communicate with members.

www.masterplumbers.org.nz has a wealth of features and benefits for members and even offers the chance to order certain products on-line.

Central to the revamped web address are nine "interest streams" for which members can subscribe exclusively. Included are waste water, roofing, drainlaying, domestic heating, domestic fire sprinklers, gasfitting, backflow, plumbing and energy efficiency.

Visitors to the site can connect to a link to see a working example so they can gauge how the information will help with any inquiries under any one of the nine interest streams.

The section under energy efficiency explains that there are many ways that plumbers can make buildings more efficient. It explains the "biggest area" where plumbers can make a difference, and calls on visitors to the site to reflect on issues relevant to hot water heating and solar energy.

It lists a 'What's New' section and provides links to training courses on "Going Solar" and details a short course certificate in solar hot water installation. It also lists information on facts about solar water heating and what building consents are needed.

Master Plumbers' Marketing Manager, Peter Livingstone, says the goal was to make life easier for members by collecting information on one dedicated website. He says "it was also important to demonstrate to younger members coming into the industry that we were computer savvy and not still in the three penny stamp era."

"We need to capture the young people for our industry and we improve our chances immensely if we demonstrate we are in the electronic age."

The web focus was one of the most significant changes in the history of Master Plumbers because head office was communicating directly with individual members rather than through regional associations.

The website promotes the competency based courses for licensing as well as advertising job vacancies and a host of other industry-related events and issues, including the latest fuel prices