Plumbing Apprenticeship

About:

A Plumbing Apprenticeship provides a solid foundation in protecting the health of the public, by using essential plumbing skills, passed down from masters of the trade. Plumbing apprenticeships combine structured, on-the-job training with related classroom instruction. Apprenticeships provide a complete education in all aspects of the craft and training extends beyond the specific skills required by any one employer.

Apprentices are employed by a contractor for the term of their apprenticeship.  Upon successful completion of the 5 year/8,000 hour program and passing the state licensing examination, one will possess a Journeyman Plumber’s license and have earned up to 39 college credits.

During the required classroom instruction, the plumbing apprentice learns how to use, care for, and safely handle the tools and materials used in the trades.  Apprentices learn safety techniques necessary to establish a safe working environment, including the safe use of ladders, scaffolding, fall protection and the need for trench shoring to prevent cave-ins.  Plumbers must be aware of the potential dangers of hazardous and toxic substances in their workplace, and the protective measures required.

Classroom instruction also includes:

  • Drafting
  • Blueprint reading
  • Mathematics
  • Applied physics and chemistry
  • State plumbing code and other regulations which apply to the industry
  • OSHA safety training

A minimum of 572 hours of paid classroom instruction takes place during the day.  An additional minimum of 260 hours takes place on the apprentice’s own time, usually at night.

Apprentice Responsibilities:

  • Be at the job-site everyday, on time, ready, willing and able to do his/her fair share
  • In exchange for the journeymen imparting their skills and knowledge, assist with the physical aspects of the job
  • Learn as quickly as possible
  • Become productive on the job
  • Strive to become a skilled crafts person at the trade in order to work to strengthen the industry

Apprenticeship Advantages:

  • Earn while you learn
  • Become self-reliant
  • Potential to be no financial burden to one’s parents
  • College-level earning power upon graduation, without the costs of a college education
  • Obtain instruction by journeyman plumbers of considerable stature and experience
  • Gain respect and recognition from co-workers as one progresses and becomes productive
  • Satisfaction of working with your hands and your mind in an increasingly technical and sophisticated industry.
  • Learn a trade that requires a license in the state of Wisconsin
  • Receive training for a career – not just a job
  • Varied career opportunities: Owner, inspector, estimator, teacher, etc.
  • Freedom to take your skill and knowledge from one employer to another, to all parts of the country

For more information please contact Kim Chacos at 608.288.1414 or kim.chacos@mechanicalindustries.org to learn more about how apprentices are selected, advantages and responsibilities of the apprenticeship.

Apply:

Download (PDF, 497KB)

Applications can be mailed to:
5940 Seminole Centre Court, Suite 102
Madison, WI 53711

Contact Us

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Important Links:

Big Step Tutoring

Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards

Madison College

UA – Veterans in Piping