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Plumbing Schools: Plumbing Course, Plumbing License, Plumbing Contractors, Plumber School, How to Become a Plumber

Becoming a plumber is a valuable career option for many students interested in the pipe systems and water treatment processes of residential and commercial buildings. Plumbing contractors can obtain formal training with a plumber training program available at a plumbing school, and are often involved with the piping, steam fitting, material, and construction of water systems, machinery, and structures. Plumbing contractors are also involved with the creation and development of blueprints and building plan layouts.


Job Description and Responsibilities of Plumbing School Graduates

Graduates of plumbing schools are often involved with learning building layouts and construction techniques for a variety of projects. The may choose to specialize in pipefitting, steam fitting, pipe laying and construction. General job responsibilities of plumbing contractors include:

  • Working with a team of plumbers and contractors
  • Designing new layouts and blueprints
  • Understanding codes and operation of plumbing systems
  • Checking for obstructions and electrical wiring
  • Assembling systems
  • Connecting lengths of pipe with fittings
  • Installing fixtures and appliances after piping has been placed
  • Checking systems to ensure safety requirements are met
  • Using pipe laying material such as concrete, plastic, clay, and cast-iron
  • Installing and repairing high-pressure and low-pressure pipes

Plumbing contractors often decide to specialize in a particular trade such as pipe laying, sprinkle fitting, or pipefitting. Each specialization requires varying job responsibilities and skills and attending a plumber school to learn is a valuable opportunity.

Career Options After Plumber Training

Although a plumbing school can provide the basic educational requirements needed to become a plumber, many plumbers choose to specialize in a particular field. Becoming a plumber and then pursuing further plumber training is becoming a valuable way to develop skills that are high in demand. Students of a plumber school may choose to pursue a career as a:

  • Pipe layer
  • Steamfitter
  • Sprinkle fitter
  • Construction plumber
  • Stationary engineer
  • Construction manager
  • Construction inspector
  • Plumbing inspector

Many plumbing contractors and related occupations choose to join the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.

Plumbing School: Benefits of a Plumbing Course and Plumber Training

An extensive plumbing course and plumber training program is ideal for students interested in pursuing a long-term career in the field. Plumbing schools can be found in the engineering and mechanical trade school departments of many vocational and technical colleges, and many skills are learned on the job. Almost all plumbers obtain experience through a formal plumbing apprenticeship program.

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada is the formal administration board of many plumbing training and apprenticeship programs. In order to become a plumber, an apprentice must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma (or equivalent). High school preparation may include taking classes in blueprint reading, drafting, computers, and physics.

Many employers become members of area associations and organizations such as:

  • National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors
  • National Fire Sprinkler Association
  • Mechanical Contractors Association of America

These organizations also offer nonunion training and apprenticeship programs. Along with classroom instruction, these consist of between 4 to 5 years of hands-on plumber training. The most common subjects for a plumbing course program are:

  • Grade and Type Identification of Pipes
  • General Tools
  • Safety Procedures
  • Local Plumbing Codes
  • Applied Physics and Chemistry
  • Blueprint Reading and Drafting
  • Mathematics
  • Pipe Installation

Becoming a plumber does not necessarily require formal licensing, but many workers choose to pursue a license to adhere to community laws and regulations. Licensing often requires passing an examination that covers local plumbing codes. Plumber training is often obtained through a combination of an apprenticeship program and on the job.

Plumbing Schools Accreditation

Plumbing schools are generally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education or other accrediting body of the community college or educational institution.

Plumber School Graduates Earning Potential and Employment Prospects

The demand for skilled plumbing contractors and related fields is expected to grow about as fast as average through 2014. Both the residential and commercial industries are requiring building renovations and installation of increasingly innovative systems. Plumbers and technicians are in high demand, and the industry requires them to be well-educated in the areas of laws, local regulations, and building standards. Since many organizations look to reduce labor costs, plumbing contractors can be involved with bidding on various projects in a competitive industry. Areas with high levels of construction activity offer the most promising employment opportunities.

The median hourly earnings of pipe layers were $13.70 in 2002, while plumbers and plumber contractors earned approximately $19.31. The highest paid plumbers were found in nonresidential building construction and building equipment contractors. Apprentices usually begin their wages at 50% of the standard wage and this is dependent on skills and experience.

Related occupations include:

  • Refrigeration Mechanics

  • HVAC Specialists

  • Sheet-Metal Workers

  • Construction Inspectors

  • Plumbing Contractor Supervisors

  • Construction Managers

  • Millwrights

  • Stationery Engineers

 

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