Plumber (Apprenticeship)

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Please note:

Prospective students must be registered apprentices with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). For more information on apprenticeship training contact your local Employment Ontario apprenticeship office.

Program description

This 720-hour program, consisting of three 240-hour levels, is designed to provide you with theoretical knowledge of all aspects of plumbing as well as practical training necessary to complement your on-the-job training experience. Completion of this program, confers the graduate an Ontario College Certificate titled Plumbing Techniques - Apprenticeship.

Program details

Code: 0708
Delivery: Apprenticeship
Length: 720 hours
Start: Varies
Campus: Cambridge - Reuter Drive
Credential: Ontario College Certificate

Program contacts

Academic school

Trades & Apprenticeship

Fees & payment

  • Fees are set by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development as per the Offer of Classroom Training.
  • Books, safety equipment, tools, and parking fees are additional. For details, visit Orientation & support.
  • Applicants are registered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Awards & scholarships

Conestoga College's Student Financial Services administers many awards, bursaries, scholarships and academic grants. Information and application forms for numerous awards, bursaries and scholarships are administered by Student Financial Services.

Many program-specific awards are administered by individual programs. Students should speak to their faculty or program coordinators about additional awards available in their program specific areas.

Courses

Level 1

Course details

Trade Documentation I
COMM1330

Description: Successful completion of this course will enable the student to read and interpret construction and plumbing system drawings, and produce orthographic and isometric plumbing system drawings. This course also enables the student to demonstrate competency in reading comprehension, writing, use of trade terminology and publications, completing basic trade related paperwork, in addition to developing the ability to use a personal computer.
  • Hours: 24
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Piping Systems Calculations I
MATH1330

Description: In this course students apply basic mathematical principles to solve trade related problems. Successful completion of this course will allow students to use and identify weights and measure units, linear measurements, area calculations, state applicable formulae, calculate areas, surface areas and volumes of tanks and cylinders, ratio and proportion calculations; converting one system to another in the Imperial, U.S. and S.I. systems.
  • Hours: 24
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Workplace Safety, Rigging and Hoisting
OHS1370

Description: Throughout the course, students will apply safe working habits and procedures, in accordance with applicable safety standards and regulations in the construction industry. Students are made aware to protect themselves and co-workers through the use of appropriate work dress, personal protective equipment and tools. They are trained to recognize hazards and learn correct lifting and hoisting procedures and the safe use of rigging equipment. Additionally, they are also taught the importance of communication and strong interpersonal relationships in the workplace.
  • Hours: 24
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Trade Theory I
PLMB1011

Description: The successful completion of this course will enable the students to apply trade safety principles, select, use and maintain trade tools, equipment and measuring devices, identify the properties and installation methods of plumbing pipes, use piping tables and other devices to determine fitting allowances, the principles and installation procedures for domestic hot water systems, water heating systems and explain the principles, components and types of drain plans, stack elevations, wastes and venting. It will also enable the student to explain the Ontario Plumbing Regulation and use it to determine proper trap sizes, drain sizes, and vent sizes and their applications.
  • Hours: 96
  • Credits: 7
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Trade Practice I
PLMB1020

Description: The successful completion of this course will enable the apprentice to install various types of materials: steel, cast iron, copper, ABS plastic and Uponor piping. In addition, the apprentice will be able to: rough-in water supplies, wastes, vents and set plumbing fixtures. Students will: thread, groove, solder, and bend various types of pipe commonly used in plumbing.
  • Hours: 48
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Welding I
WELD1110

Description: In this course, the student is introduced to the concepts of the Oxy-Fuel Welding (OFW), Brazing (OFB), and Cutting (OFC) processes. Online theory modules will cover the safe set up and working practices of these processes as well as introduce the student to the fundamental ideas involved in each process operation. The shop component will enable the student to implement safe working practices along with skills development. Students will practice welding various joint types on mild steel and use the OFC process to make straight and bevel cuts, pierce holes and cut shapes out of mild steel plate. Students will also learn about the required process equipment and demonstrate safe set up procedures and proper usage.
  • Hours: 24
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Trade Documentation II
COMM2060

Description: Successful completion of this course will enable the student to produce isometric pipe drawings to scale, define and produce orthographic drawings and read and interpret plumbing, drainage and construction trade drawings and job specifications.This course will also enable the student to prepare trade related reports, forms and business letters, and read, interpret and prepare purchase orders, using a personal computer to produce spreadsheets.
  • Hours: 24
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Piping Systems Calculations II
MATH2200

Description:

This course enables the student to solve problems involving square roots, area and volume calculations, in addition to calculating rolled offsets, solving percentage, ratio and proportion problems.

  • Hours: 24
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Trade Theory II
PLMB2010

Description: The successful completion of this course will enable the student to design and correctly install hot water tanks, offset specialty fixtures, a four fixture washroom, plus set up grading instruments which relate to the grading of a drain-waste-vent (DWV) system.
  • Hours: 112
  • Credits: 8
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Trade Practice II
PLMB2020

Description: The successful completion of this course will enable the student to design and correctly install hot water tanks, offset specialty fixtures, a four fixture washroom, plus set up grading instruments which relate to the grading of a D.W.V. system.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Welding II
WELD2200

Description: In this course, the student is introduced to the concepts of the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process. Online theory modules will cover the safe set up and working practices of this process as well as introduce the student to the fundamental operational ideas involved. The shop component will enable the student to implement safe working practices along with skills development in the SMAW process. Students will practice joining mild steel using different electrodes on various joint designs while learning about the required process equipment and demonstrate safe set up procedures and proper usage.
  • Hours: 24
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Level 3

Course details

Trade Documentation III
COMM3010

Description: Successful completion of this course will enable the student to read architectural drawings of a commercial building, interpret plumbing specifications and prepare working drawings of plumbing systems for a commercial building. This course also enables the student to prepare reports, estimates, and job schedules related to plumbing and piping systems and using the capabilities of a computer design program, prepare a detailed priced material list from a prepared isometric drawing, or a manual drawing.
  • Hours: 49
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Plumber Apprenticeship Examination Preparation Course
PLMB0050

Description: This 30 hour course is designed to prepare the apprentice to write their Certificate of Qualification. It will consist of a review of the materials, trade math, documentation, and prints and codes that have been covered in previous levels one and two of Trade school. The student will also have receive a review of current level three material, apprentices will gain confidence by reviewing previous material and have an opportunity to explore known areas of difficulties in the Plumber Apprenticeship Program. Note: This course is separate from the level three advanced program, sponsored totally by the MTCU and has no grade assigned.
  • Hours: 30
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Trade Theory III
PLMB3011

Description: In this theory-based course, students will study the many components of water distribution systems, both private and municipal sewage disposal systems, storm drainage systems, and piping systems including Natural and Medical gases, Hydronic heating and Industrial Process piping. Students will use the National Plumbing Code to identify differences from the Ontario code, to size water distribution piping and storm drainage piping, and to identify the installation requirements of waste pipe systems incorporating corrosive waste neutralizers.
  • Hours: 142
  • Credits: 10
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Trade Practice III
PLMB3021

Description: In this course students will develop the ability to design, install and service water pumping and water conditioning systems, install backflow prevention devices and heating systems and boilers.
  • Hours: 49
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

  1. Work according to contractual obligations; the project manual; and applicable laws, standards, bylaws, and codes.
  2. Perform residential and commercial plumbing projects effectively and accurately by interpreting and producing basic data in graphic, oral and written formats.
  3. Work responsibly and effectively with others and in accordance with appropriate practices, procedures and in compliance with health and safety legislation.
  4. Use tools and equipment for basic installation manufacture, and repair of components to required specifications.
  5. Contribute to the organizing and planning of residential and commercial plumbing installation projects.
  6. Solve routine problems related to work environments using a variety of systemic approaches.
  7. Use cutting and welding equipment and accessories for construction, operation, assembly and disassembly as it pertains to plumbing systems.
  8. Identify installation procedures and components for a variety of Specialized Plumbing Systems.
  9. Accurately interpret the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and National Building Code (NBC) as it pertains to plumbing systems.

Program handbook

Program handbook

Graduate opportunities

Plumbers install, repair and maintain pipes, fixtures and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution and waste water disposal in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Plumbers are employed in maintenance departments of factories, plants and similar establishments, in all areas of the construction industry (residential, commercial, industrial and institutional), by plumbing contractors, or they may be self-employed.

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home


Program device requirements

Program device & software requirements

This program requires you to have a device that meets certain specifications. For most students, this cost is in addition to the tuition & fees listed above.

view device requirements

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