Plumbing and Pipe Trades Apprenticeships

   •  Gasfitter
   •  Plumber
   •  Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic
   •  Sprinkler Fitter
   •  Steam/Pipefitter

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A man in welding goggles working on a metal pipe, creating sparks with his tools.

Program at a glance

Credential

Technical Training Certification

Work experience

Sponsored apprentice

Delivery

On campus

Study options

Full-time

Open to International

No

Area of study

Trades Apprenticeship

Length

6 to 10 weeks

Two paths

The difference between foundation program and apprenticeship.
Learn more

Plumbing and Pipe Trades Technical Training

Take the in-class portion of your gasfitter, plumber, refrigeration and air conditioning, sprinkler fitter, steamfitter or pipefitter apprenticeship at Camosun, Vancouver Island's largest provider of trades training.

plumbing instructors

Each level of training varies but is usually between six and 10 weeks and includes a SkilledTrades BC exam.

Why the pipe and plumbing trades?

If you enjoy a hands-on job, solving real problems, working on interesting projects, and seeing the results of your work every day then the pipefitting and plumbing trades may be for you.

Get paid while you train

While you're an apprentice, you'll be earning while you learn. Learning a plumbing or pipefitting trade is a solid career choice with great job security and good pay and can open doors to owning your own business in the future.

Red Seal badge

Camosun is a proud supporter of the Red Seal interprovincial trades program. 

In-school technical training

As an apprentice, you’ll spend about 80% of your time on the job, so you earn while you learn. In addition to that practical experience, you also need to sign up for a few weeks of in-school technical training each year.

You'll be in school about once a year to complete a level of in-school theory to provide balance for your on-the-job practical experience. Each level of training varies but is usually between six and 10 weeks and includes a SkilledTrades BC exam.

Classes are held on the Interurban campus. Look over the class schedule with your employer to decide when is the best time to come to Camosun.

      Skilled Trades BC logo

      Program standards and curriculum are set by SkilledTradesBC.

      Tuition and fees

      Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025

      Tuition

      Tuition is provided for each level

      Gasfitter Apprenticeship

      $1,112.50  Level 1

      $1,112.50  Level 2

      Plumbing Apprenticeship

      $778.75  Level 1

      $890.00  Level 2

      $1,001.25  Level 2 + Gap

      $778.75  Level 3

      $890.00  Level 4

      Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship

      $667.50  Level 1

      $778.75  Level 2

      $1,112.50  Level 3

      $1,112.50  Level 4

      Sprinkler Fitter Apprenticeship

      $890.00  Level 1

      $890.00  Level 2

      $890.00  Level 3

      Steamfitter / Pipefitter Apprenticeship

      $778.75  Level 1

      $778.75  Level 2

      $890.00  Level 2

      $890.00  Level 3

       

      Student fees

      In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.

      Financial assistance

      Apprentice Employment Insurance

      Apprentices should apply for Apprentice EI (Service Canada) financial support before the start of the program and up to 4 weeks in advance. Late applications may result in Service Canada denying funding.

      Grants

      The Government of Canada provides Funding programs and grants for training.

       

      Program start dates

      Training will take place at Interurban campus. Contact Registration to confirm seat availability*, 250-370-3550.

      Domestic/Commercial Gasfitter (Harmonized)

      6 weeks per level, each year. Training takes place at Interurban campus.

      Level 1: 10 weeks

      Program standards and course outlines for Gasfitter - Class A are set by SkilledTradesBC. 

      Start dateEnd date
      August 25, 2025October 31, 2025
      August 24, 2026October 30, 2026
      August 23, 2027October 29, 2027
      August 21, 2028October 27, 2028
      August 27, 2029November 2, 2029

      Level 2: 10 weeks 

      Program standards and course outlines for Gasfitter - Class B are set by SkilledTradesBC.

      Start dateEnd date
      January 6, 2025March 14, 2025
      January 5, 2026March 13, 2026
      January 4, 2027March 12, 2027
      January 10, 2028March 17, 2028

      Plumber (Harmonized)

      6-8 weeks per level, each year. Training takes place at Interurban campus.

      Program standards and course outlines are set by SkilledTradesBC.

      Level 1: 7 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      January 6, 2025February 21, 2025
      April 28, 2025June 9, 2025
      November 3, 2025December 19, 2025
      January 5, 2026February 20, 2026
      April 27, 2026June 12, 2026
      November 2, 2026December 18, 2026
      January 4, 2027February 19, 2027
      May 3, 2027June 18, 2027
      November 1, 2027December 17, 2027
      January 10, 2028February 25, 2028
      May 1, 2028June 16, 2028
      November 6, 2028December 22, 2028
      January 8, 2029February 23, 2029
      April 30, 2029 June 25, 2029
      November 5, 2029December 21, 2029

      Level 2: 8 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      February 24, 2025April 17, 2025
      April 28, 2025June 16, 2025
      August 25, 2025October 17, 2025
      October 27, 2025December 19, 2025
      January 5, 2026February 27, 2026
      March 9, 2026May 1, 2026
      May 11, 2026July 3, 2026
      October 26, 2026December 18, 2026
      January 4, 2027February 26, 2027
      March 1, 2027April 23, 2027
      May 3, 2027June 25, 2027
      October 25, 2027December 17, 2027
      February 28, 2027April 21, 2028
      May 1, 2028June 23, 2028
      September 5, 2028October 27, 2028
      October 30, 2028December 22, 2028
      January 8, 2029March 2, 2029
      March 5, 2029April 27, 2029
      May 7, 2029June 29, 2029
      October 29, 2029December 21, 2029

      Level 3: 7 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      January 6, 2025February 21, 2025
      March 10, 2025April 25, 2025
      September 8, 2025October 24, 2025
      November 3, 2025December 19, 2025
      March 2, 2026April 17, 2026
      May 4, 2026June 19, 2026
      September 8, 2026October 23, 2026
      November 2, 2026December 18, 2026
      March 1, 2027April 16, 2027
      April 26, 2027June 11, 2027
      September 7, 2027October 22, 2027
      November 1, 2027December 17, 2027
      January 10, 2028February 25, 2028
      March 6, 2028April 21, 2028
      May 1, 2028June 16, 2028

      Level 4: 8 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      January 6, 2025February 28, 2025
      March 31, 2025 May 23, 2025
      September 8, 2025October 31, 2025
      January 5, 2026February 27, 2026
      March 30, 2026 May 22, 2026
      August 31, 2026October 23, 2026
      January 4, 2027February 26, 2027
      March 30, 2027May 21, 2027
      September 7, 2027October 29, 2027
      January 10, 2028March 3, 2028

      Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized)

      6-10 weeks per level, each year. Training takes place at Interurban campus.

      Find a full program outline on SkilledTradesBC.

      Level 1: 6 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      September 18, 2025October 24, 2025
      September 14, 2026October 23, 2026
      September 13, 2027 October 22, 2027
      September 18, 2028October 27, 2028
      September 17, 2029October 26, 2029

      Level 2: 7 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      March 31, 2025May 16, 2025
      November 3, 2025December 19, 2025
      March 30, 2026May 15, 2026
      November 2, 2026December 18, 2026
      March 30, 2027May 14, 2027
      November 1, 2027December 17, 2027
      April 3, 2028May 19, 2028
      November 6, 2028December 22, 2028
      April 3, 2029May 18, 2029
      November 5, 2029December 21, 2029

      Level 3: 10 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      March 24, 2025May 30, 2025
      August 5, 2025October 10, 2025
      March 23, 2026May 29, 2026
      August 4, 2026October 9, 2026
      March 22, 2027May 28, 2027
      August 3, 2027October 8, 2027
      March 27, 2028June 2, 2028
      August 8, 2028October 13, 2028
      March 26, 2029June 1, 2029
      August 7, 2029October 12, 2029

      Level 4: 10 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      January 6, 2025March 14, 2025
      October 14, 2025December 19, 2025
      January 5, 2026March 13, 2026
      October 13, 2026December 18, 2026
      January 4, 2027March 12, 2027
      October 17, 2027December 17, 2027
      January 10, 2028March 17, 2028
      October 16, 2028December 22, 2028
      January 8, 2029March 16, 2029
      October 15, 2029December 21, 2029

      Sprinkler Fitter (Harmonized)

      6 weeks per level, each year. Training takes place at the Interurban campus.

      Find a full program outline on SkilledTradesBC.

      Level 1: 8 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      January 8, 2025February 28, 2025
      January 5, 2026February 27, 2026
      January 4, 2027February 26, 2027
      January 10, 2028March 3, 2028
      January 8, 2029March 2, 2029

      Level 2: 8 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      September 8, 2025October 31, 2025
      September 8, 2026October 30, 2026
      September 7, 2027October 29, 2027
      September 5, 2028October 27, 2028
      September 4, 2029October 26, 2029

      Level 3: 8 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      January 8, 2025February 28, 2025
      January 5, 2026February 27, 2026
      January 4, 2027February 26, 2027
      January 10, 2028March 3, 2028
      January 8, 2029March 2, 2029

      Steam/Pipefitter (Harmonized)

      6-8 weeks per level, each year. Training takes place at Interurban campus.

      Find a full program outline on SkilledTradesBC.

      Level 1: 7 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      April 28, 2025June 9, 2025
      November 2, 2026December 18, 2026
      May 3, 2027June 18, 2027
      November 1, 2027December 17, 2027
      May 1, 2028June 9, 2028
      November 6, 2028December 22, 2028
      April 30, 2029June 15, 2029
      November 5, 2029December 21, 2029

      Level 2: 7 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      January 6, 2025February 21, 2025
      January 5, 2026February 20, 2026
      January 4, 2027February 19, 2027
      January 10, 2028February 25, 2028
      January 8, 2029February 23, 2029

      Level 3 - 8 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      September 8, 2025October 24, 2025
      August 31, 2026October 23, 2026
      August 30, 2027October 22, 2027
      September 5, 2028October 27, 2028
      September 4, 2029October 26, 2029

      Level 4 - 8 weeks 

      Start dateEnd date
      October 27, 2025December 19, 2025
      October 26, 2026December 18, 2026
      October 25, 2027December 17, 2027
      October 30, 2028December 22, 2028
        

      *All dates are subject to change.

      Note: Harmonized apprenticeship training requirements are aligned across Canada within the Red Seal trades.

      Let's get you started

      Camosun accepts applications to apprenticeship technical training programs year-round.

      To apply you must have:

      • A registered employer who will sponsor and train you and;
      • A valid SkilledTradesBC registration number.

      An apprentice must be sponsored by an employer who is registered at SkilledTradesBC. If you and your employer agree to enter into a contract for an apprenticeship, either of you may contact SkilledTradesBC to register you as an apprentice.

      Steps to register

      Contact us

      If you have registration questions please contact the Registration department.

      For questions about the program contact the Trades Apprenticeship Office at 250-370-3856 or tradesinfo@camosun.ca

      Darren Vaux

      Darren Vaux

      Chair, Plumbing and Pipe Trades,

      vauxd@camosun.ca
      250–370–3754
      John Drysdale
      Full bio

      null

      Andy Wilson

      Program Lead and Instructor, Pipe Trades Foundation

      wilsona@camosun.ca
      2503703744
      John Drysdale
      Full bio

      Josh Stull

      Josh Stull

      Program Leader and Instructor, Pipe Trades

      stullj@camosun.ca
      250–370–3790
      John Drysdale
      Full bio

      null

      Robert Medwid

      Instructor, Plumbing, Pipefitting, Sprinklerfitting Foundation

      medwidr@camosun.ca
      John Drysdale
      Full bio

      Contact information

      Trades Apprenticeship office

      Centre for Trades and Technology building (CTEI), room 102

      Interurban campus

      250-370-3856

      tradesinfo@camosun.ca


      If your inquiry is time sensitive we recommend phoning 250-370-3550. When emailing please include your full name and student number registration@camosun.ca.

       

      Questions about your classes

      For about the program contact 250-370-3856, tradesinfo@camosun.ca or the department Chair.