Plumber (Pre-Employment)

Program Description

The 34 week Plumber (Pre-Employment) Diploma program is a provincially-accredited apprenticeship program that was developed by government and approved by the Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board. The program provides students with a wide range of skills that are needed to work as a first-year apprentice, including those related to safety, blueprint reading, rigging, piping (including steel, copper, plastic and brass), heating systems, water treatment systems, waste disposal systems and fuel brazing/cutting as well as many others. Most courses are designed in such a way that students spend time divided equally between the classroom and one of our professional plumbing shops.

Please note that due to the nature of this career, employees are required to tolerate regular physical activity during the course of their work day. If you have any medical concerns, please contact your admissions officer to ensure you are aware of the requirements of the occupation and to determine if you are eligible for accommodations in this program.

Apprenticeship Training

The Plumber (Pre-Employment) program is an apprenticeship trades program. Courses completed at Academy Canada meet the requirements to become a first-year apprentice. Once this training is completed and the graduate obtains their first position in the trade, s/he must register as an Apprentice with the Department of Education. Government will then cover the costs associated with regular advanced training as the apprentice gains experience and works towards completing their Journeyperson exam. Passing this examination will result in receiving Red Seal Certification.

Program Courses

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Standard First Aid
• Job Site Safety
• Tools and Equipment
• Blueprint 1 (Basic Residential)
• Blueprint 2 (Advanced Residential/Light Commercial)
• Rigging
• Introduction to Fuel Brazing and Cutting
• Pipe and Tubing Fundamentals
• Steel Piping
• Copper Piping
• Plastic Piping
• Piping Valves
• Hydronic Heating
• Cast Iron Piping
• Non-metallic Piping
• Water Service
• Hot and Cold Water Supply
• Hot Water Storage Tanks and Heaters
• Water Treatment Systems
• Residential Sanitary Drainage
• Residential Venting
• Storm Systems
• Commercial Drainage, Waste and Venting 1
• Residential Appliances, Fixtures and Trim
• Rural Waste Disposal
• Introduction to Electric Welding
• Introduction to Apprenticeship
• Introduction to Essential Skills
• Math Essentials
• Plumber Math Fundamentals
• Communication Essentials
• Workplace Essentials
• Computer Essentials

Employment Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Plumber (Pre-Employment) program, graduates may be eligible for employment (depending on specific hiring practices) in various sectors of the plumbing and domestic heating industry. Opportunities also exist for self-employment. 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. Information obtained from Human Resources Development Canada indicates the Provincial Construction Industry in Newfoundland and Labrador anticipates strong growth over the next 3-5 years. A small sample of Academy Canada’s excellent employers include:

• Aero Plumbing
• Atlantic Mechanical
• Atlantis Plumbing
• Avalon Plumbing and Heating
• Bishop’s Plumbing and Heating
• Dawe’s Plumbing and Electrical
• Pack’s Plumbing
• Saunders Kitchen and Bath