Plumbing and Pipe Trades Foundation, Certificate

Over 30 weeks you will follow a modular training system that begins by developing a wide variety of basic skills, and builds on these to develop specialized skills required by industry and related fields including irrigation, wastewater treatment, municipal services, solar system installations, well pump installation and plumbing wholesale supply.

The Plumbing & Pipe shops are located in the John Drysdale building on the Interurban campus. Our two shops are over 12,000 sq. ft. (1115 sq. metres) in size.

Hands-on learning

In the Plumbing & Pipe Trades Foundation program, you'll develop skills and knowledge necessary for initial entry into the plumbing & pipe trades. You'll focus on the first–year apprentice competencies that are common to all of the piping trades, working through common core, and plumbing and pipe trades specialty modules.

You'll be exposed to on-the-job conditions so come prepared to work in a number of different simulations and environments and participate in a one-week, supervised field practice in an industry setting.

Practical projects will usually be done on-site either at the college or in cooperation with local industry.

Next up: Apprenticeship

As a graduate of the program, you’ll be ready to start employment in plumbing, gasfitting, sprinklerfitting and steam/pipefitting. You’ll also be able to seek positions in other piping-related fields including irrigation, municipal services, solar system installation or plumbing wholesale supply.

Your training in the Foundation program will be consistent with provincial standards for plumbing & piping core knowledge and credit for completing this program may be applied to a four-year apprenticeship program. As an apprentice, you will continue to build on your skills and gain the practical experience necessary to become fully qualified.