Plumbing and Piping Trades Foundation

Format: Full Time
Offered: Multiple intakes
Program Duration: 25 weeks
Delivery Location: Kelowna, BC

Program description

This 25-week (750 hour) program takes a student with little or no previous experience in the piping trades and supplies them with the necessary skills to seek employment in industry as an apprentice Plumber, Steamfitter/Pipefitter or Sprinkler System Installer. The program exposes the students to aspects of residential, commercial and industrial piping systems in these trades with a focus on developing practical skills. The curriculum follows SkilledTradesBC guidelines for the first-year in-class components of apprenticeship training for Plumber, Steamfitter/Pipefitter and Sprinkler System Installer, which includes installation, repair and maintenance procedures in compliance with the applicable codes and standards. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive Level 1 technical training credit toward an apprenticeship in the aforementioned three trades. This gives the successful students the opportunity to experience a number of trades without having to commit to one in particular and, upon completion, have the choice to pursue one or more career paths.

Recommended student Characteristics

There are a number of physical activities involved in training for a skilled trade, please review the physical activities of the program and the recommended student characteristics as listed below. Okanagan College strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience disability related academic barriers (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please contact Accessibility Services at your campus so that you can privately discuss options.

Physical activities of the trade:

Lift and carry tools, equipment, supplies and materials weighing up to approximately 30 pounds
Lift, carry, hold and operate hand, air and power tools from below grade to above shoulders
Stand on concrete, dirt, rock, asphalt, wood, etc. for extended periods of time
Bend, stoop, kneel, crawl to perform piping tasks
Learn and work in both indoor and outdoor venues, through all seasonal challenges
Push/pull and carry pipe, tubing and construction materials
Climb extension ladders, and work on scaffolding at heights
Work in open trenches and other confining environments

Recommended student characteristics:
Good general health and respiratory condition
Capable of doing physical work
Physical strength and stamina compatible with the handling of heavy equipment and materials
Ability to tolerate noise and vibration
Good balance and coordination to walk on uneven ground for up to 8 hours per day.
Good manual dexterity
Good hand-eye coordination
Satisfactory eyesight, line, form and depth perception
Able to work in confined spaces such as crawl spaces, stair wells, around furnaces and plumbing fixtures.

Admission Requirements

Youth Train in Trades - in grade 12 (all core grad requirements completed apart from CLC A and B, and senior electives)
Minimum English 12 or English First Peoples 12 – 67% plus
Minimum Workplace Mathematics 11 or Foundations of Mathematics 11 or Pre-Calculus 11 – 67% plus
All Core grad requirements completed:
- Senior Grad requirements include: English 12 or English First Peoples 12, English 11, Senior Socials, Senior Math (Workplace mathematics or Foundations or Mathematics 11 or Pre-Calculus 11), and a Senior Science
- All grade 10 grad requirements.