Course Description:
The Plumbing Program can offer a student a two, three, or four year competency based program, which affords many opportunities to those interested in designing, selling, manufacturing, installing and servicing plumbing systems. There is an increasing demand for plumbers and new apprentices who are willing to become proficient in any or all of those areas. A plumbing student here at CWCTC will begin with basic tasks such as shop safety and on the job safety training, identifying tools and fittings used in the trade, and will be trained with several varieties of hand tools power tools and power equipment used in the plumbing field. Students also learn some basics of electricity necessary for wiring basic plumbing fixtures. The curriculum is based on a four year nationally accredited apprenticeship training course from NCCER.
A first year student will understand basics of joining and installing piping installing plumbing systems as single fixtures as they escalate through their second and third years in the program taking on the multiple fixture installations as they become a third year or a cooperative education student.
Training Included in the program would be learning joints and connections for piping and move into single fixture installations, sizing, layout and installation of drainage, water supply and distribution lines, gas distribution lines, and repair of all these systems. Also included are septic systems and sand mounds, well systems, shallow jet pumps and deep well system set up.
Training also includes minor welding and brazing, joining piping, rough in fixtures, blueprint reading, and the repair of existing equipment and new installations. As technicians in training, students will develop their skills on "live" equipment as well as on improving customer relations. Students can excel in the plumbing field if they, desire to work in a challenging and changing industry, have disciplined themselves to work, wish to further their education in a growing industry, want to earn above average wages, and take pride in their workmanship.
Skills Learned:
Some of the skills learned are: Power tool use and safety, joining and installing water supply, gas supply, drain waste and vent piping, welding/brazing, blueprint reading, builder’s level basics, plumbing math and basic plumbing repair.
Related Occupations and Earnings:
Related occupations include Plumbers &Pipefitters, Pipe Layers, Boilermakers and Welder Fitters. Earnings range between $14-$20/hour.
Post-Secondary Opportunities:
Articulated credits can be earned toward an Associate’s Degree at Institutions such as Westmoreland County Community College, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
Instructors:
Mr. Kuhn – Plumbing Instructor
Phone Number – 724-925-3532 x. 1350
Office Hours: 7:15am to 7:45am
10:45am to 10:55am
2:30pm to 2:45pm
Please leave a voicemail message outside of these times.