If plumbing is on your list of dream careers, it’s time you give it the extra consideration it deserves. Though plumbing as a career might not be the most glamorous option, the truth is that plumbers offer some incredible services. They don’t just install toilets but also appliances, attend to emergencies, and generally save lives.
Seriously, pipefitters, steamfitters, and plumbers are among the highest-paid skilled trade professionals, earning around $56000 or about 26/hr.
One more advantage for plumbers: this field has excellent job satisfaction, with the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a 16% increase in plumbing jobs by 2028. And it all begins with an apprenticeship.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about plumbing apprenticeship to help determine whether it’s an excellent career path for you.
Apprentice Plumber: What Is It?
Apprenticeships are ‘train-while-you-earn’ programs that help aspiring plumbers make money while getting knowledge in a specialized skilled trade. They may incorporate structured courses or a formal curriculum in a classroom setting besides on-the-job training. Typically, apprentice plumbers make more money with their skills, consequently completing their apprentice programs and getting a full wage upon getting licensed.
Apprentice plumbers typically receive hands-on training at construction sites, where they learn how to perform everyday tasks, besides some technical instruction. They are usually regulated by a plumbing trade school or local plumbers’ union but can also be done via a public company. You will learn the essential tools of the trade and pick up some crucial components of the job, such as marketing and business. Topics such as state codes, OSHA safety, blueprint drafting or reading, and math may also be covered.
So, will you become a professional plumber after completing your apprenticeship? Not quite! At the end of the apprenticeship program, apprentices must pass a licensure exam to become journeyman plumbers. Some plumbers can add another year of apprenticeship to get a master plumber status, which is mandatory in most states to earn a plumbing license. From there, plumbers can obtain specialized skills in various areas.
How Do You Become An Apprentice Plumber?
The qualifications you require to begin working as an apprentice plumber include:
- Physical strength or stamina.
- A high school diploma.
- The agility to do manual work.
- General knowledge and skills related to plumbing.
Most plumbing apprenticeships from employers or trade unions require a GED or high school diploma.
How Long Do Plumbing Apprenticeship Programs Take?
Not all plumbing apprenticeship programs are created equal, but they can complete anywhere between two and five years. While this may seem like such a long time, a plumbing apprenticeship has more flexibility than other skilled trade trajectories. You will spend at least five years learning the trade while making money the entire period you do it.
Generally, apprentice routines are organized so that they don’t complete your job schedules.
How Can You Get Into a Plumbing Apprenticeship Program?
The initial step to becoming an apprentice plumber is completing your high school diploma or obtaining a GED certificate. But you have to make a dazzling resume and online portfolio. Next, you should approach a local plumber’s union representative and ask about a program in your area.
A plumbing apprentice program is an innovative financial pathway to becoming a professional plumber. Not only do you make money while you learn, but you also set yourself apart in a high-demand career with substantial earning potential.
