The depletion of the skilled trade workforce due to retirement is a primary reason for the huge demand for plumbers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median pay for plumbers as $59,880 in 2021. By enrolling in a plumbing school, you could enter and start a rewarding career in this high-demand field. A plumbing program or apprenticeship will provide training in the fundamental skills relevant to the industry. You’ll learn safety procedures, materials and equipment used in the industry, specialty drawings, identifying piping materials and fixture types, basic calculations, and plumbing codes. Some programs will also include preparation for industry certification and college credits if you should later decide on a degree program.
Florida State College at Jacksonville – Department of Workforce Education
The Foundations of Plumbing course offered by the Department of Workforce Education at FSCJ trains students for a career in plumbing. The program covers specialized plumbing skills and terminology for residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing systems. It will also cover math, geometry, and physical principles needed to work on plumbing systems. The program is delivered online in a self-paced format. Course modules include plumbing history, codes and principles; tools of the plumbing trade; first aid and safety; basic math for plumbing; water supply, water sources, waste disposal and sewage disposal; mechanical properties and protection of building materials and structure; plumbing fixtures; joining methods for DWV and pressure piping; water heaters; building plans, drawings and scale rulers; and sketching. Students will also cover introduction to welding; water heaters and hot water distribution, drainage fixture units; applied geometric concepts; venting plumbing drainage systems; fixture supports; winning customer service; and much more. Access will be granted for 12 months. Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Program overview:
Foundations of Plumbing
Duration: 12 months
Course hours: 145
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Register for the program at ED2Go online
- A must meet the software requirements to access the online course – a computer and access to the internet
- A high school diploma and knowledge of math recommended
- Must have a personal email account to communicate with instructor
- Must have access to state-wide plumbing codes to build familiarity with the codebook
Program cost:
The program cost of $2,2456 includes tuition and instructional materials. A fee may be assessed for any extension beyond the allocated 12 months’ access to the online modules.
- Website: https://careertraining.ed2go.com/fscj/
- Address: 601 W. State Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 US
- Phone: 855-520-6806
Jacksonville Plumbers & Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship & Training Trust
Jacksonville Plumbers and Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship Trust offers an apprenticeship program that includes classroom instruction and on-the-job training to prepare students for a career in plumbing. Students will earn college credit and qualify for job placement during the program. The program is structured to emphasize the skills employers need. Students will benefit from individualized training with an experienced mentor who will walk them through the entire process. They will be paid throughout the apprenticeship and receive 6-month pay increases for maintaining a passing average in the class. Graduates will qualify for industry-recognized credentials and earn up to 45 college credits.
Program overview:
Plumbing Apprenticeship
Duration: 5 years
Course hours: N/A
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the start of the apprenticeship
- Provide proof of age – driver’s license, state ID, passport, or copy of birth certificate
- Must be a high school graduate – provide a diploma and official transcript of high school grades
- Veterans must submit a copy of the discharge form DD214
- Must submit an application online and pay the application fee of $25
- Complete the aptitude test and obtain a passing score
- Must be physically able to perform all tasks related to the plumbing and pipefitting industry and pass a physical exam by a medical doctor
- Must submit to a substance abuse test
- Must agree to participate in remedial instruction required by the JAT
Program cost:
The training is free. Apprentices must pay for their books and required shirts while in the program.
- Website: http://ua234.com/
- Address: 489 Stevens Street Jacksonville, FL 32254
- Phone: 904-786-0941