Plumbing Courses and Training

Attending plumbing courses offers many career options. this can be attained at trade schools and technical colleges as well as apprenticeship programs.

Plumbing Schools and Colleges

Pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters follow building plans or blueprints and instructions from construction supervisors, layout the job correctly, and work efficiently with the materials and tools of their trade. Residential plumbers go to homes to unclog drains or install appliances. Pipefitters, and steamfitters install, maintain, and repair many different types of pipe systems e.g. city water and sewer systems, gas company pipes, etc. While pipe fitting and plumbing are generally considered to be separate distinct trades, many qualified craft workers become skilled and qualifies in both fields. Pipe fitters generally work with large pipes in industries like food processing plants, oil refineries, and chemical plants.

Find Colleges in your area offering Plumbing Courses and Pipefitter Training

Selected Plumbing Programs

Everest Institute

• Plumbing Technology

HoHoKus School

• Residential Plumbing Repair

New England Institute of Technology

• Plumbing/Heating Technology

WyoTech

• Plumbing Technology

Plumbing Courses in Canada (Diploma Programs)

Vancouver Career College

• Plumber Foundations (PLU)

Plumbing Education and Training

When taking plumbing courses in your area you of specialization you can take various directions in your training. For example residential and industrial plumbers get their training in career and technical schools or community colleges and from on-the-job training. Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters working for commercial enterprises are usually trained through formal apprenticeship programs. While there are no uniform national licensing guidelines, most states require plumbers to be licensed, which includes passing an examination testing knowledge and plumbing codes.

Apprenticeships usually last for four to five years and include 144 hours of coursework in reading specifications, drafting, sketching, math, practical science, safety procedures, regulations that govern plumbing careers, and building codes.

Plumbing Careers

Plumbers typically specialize in one of five areas. Pipe layers lay clay, concrete, plastic, and cast-iron pipe for drains, sewers, water mains, and oil or gas lines. Pipelayers prepare and grade the trenches either manually or with machines, before laying the pipe. After laying the pipe, pipe layers weld, glue, cement or join the pipe pieces together. Plumbers install and repair the water, waste disposal, drainage, and gas systems in homes and commercial and industrial buildings; they also install plumbing fixtures (bathtubs, showers, sinks, toilet) and appliances (dishwashers, water heaters, and refrigerators).

Plumbers also work with high- and low-pressure pipe systems used in manufacturing, in the generating electricity, and in heating and cooling systems of buildings. Steamfitters install pipe systems that move liquids or gases under high pressure, while sprinkler fitters install automatic fire sprinkler systems in buildings.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

After enrolling in plumbing courses, generally apprentices start at of at about 50% of the wage rate paid to experienced pipelayers, plumbers, pipe fitters, and steam fitters, with hourly wages increasing as skills improve. Pipe layers, plumbers, pipe fitters, and steam fitters are among the highest paid construction occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Wages for plumbers can vary greatly based on city, state, and industry. So if you live in Denver, you may want to contact local Denver plumbers or check local job listings before committing yourself to learning the trade. Median hourly income for pipe layers in May 2004 was $13.68, the middle 50% earned $11.05- $18.69, the lowest 10% earned less than $9.19. The highest 10 percent earned more than $25.07. Median hourly wages were $19.85. The middle 50% earned $15.01- $26.67, the lowest 10% earned less than $11.62, and the highest 10% earned more than $33.72. Some industries pay those in plumbing careers as follows:

• Natural gas distribution $23.86
• Nonresidential building construction $21.55
• Building equipment contractors $19.85
• Utility system construction $18.29
• Local government $16.30

Job opportunities for those who have taken required plumbing courses and have attained substantial experience are expected to be excellent, as demand for skilled pipe layers, plumbers, pipe fitters, and steam fitters is expected to outpace the supply of workers trained in this craft. Employment of pipe layers, plumbers, pipe fitters, and steam fitters is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014, with demand for plumbers stemming from new construction and building renovation.