Academic Catalog

Apprenticeship - Plumbing Technology

Program Description

The Associate in Science in Plumbing Technology degree program is conducted in partnership with the Pipe Trades Training Center apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program is five years in duration, requiring a minimum of 9,000 hours of on-the-job training. After 5 years of classroom instruction and paid work experience, students are recognized as journeypersons within the Pipe Trades industry, working to protect the health and safety of the community by piping pure water to commercial and industrial buildings for drinking, cooking, washing, cleaning, manufacturing, or personal use, and removing waste water after it has served its purpose. Students earning an associate degree increase their marketability and employment opportunities. The apprenticeship program—which includes coursework, lab work, and on-the-job training—involves learning about the assessment, installation, maintenance, and repair of different types of pipe systems, effective and safe tool use, material applications, related mathematics and science, and storage. Students will learn to read blueprints, apply layout and install, as well as estimate and repair both supply and waste water systems. The Associate in Science in Plumbing Technology degree builds on the Certificate of Achievement in Plumbing Technology by adding requirements for general education courses and electives.

The Certificate of Achievement in Residential Plumbing program is also conducted in partnership with the Pipe Trades Training Center apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program is five years in duration, requiring a minimum of 6,900 hours of on-the-job training. After 4 years of classroom instruction and paid work experience, students are recognized as journeypersons within the Pipe Trades industry, working to install and maintain waste lines, hot and cold water piping, and gas systems, including piping, accessories, fixtures, and appliances to single and multiple family dwellings as well as hotels and motels. The apprenticeship program—which includes coursework, lab work, and on-the-job training—involves learning about the assessment, installation, maintenance, and repair of residential and hotel/motel pipe systems, effective and safe tool use, material applications, related mathematics and science, and storage. Students will learn to read blueprints, apply layout and install, as well as estimate and repair both supply and waste water systems.

Students are admitted to the Pipe Trades Training Center apprenticeship program based on obtaining a passing (75%) score on the Pipe Trades Entrance Exam, which measures the student's ability in math and mechanical reasoning. Students who pass the entrance exam are selected from an applicant waiting list, the order of which is established by the date the entrance exam was taken and the test score.

Enrollment in apprenticeship courses is limited to apprentices registered with the California Division of Apprenticeships Standards, according to the California Labor Code, Section 3074.3.
 

Learn more about the program on the Apprenticeship website.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • In compliance with applicable standards and codes, students will demonstrate ability to install and remove plumbing systems such as drain waste and ventilation systems, systems for various industrial fluids, public or private water systems, and gas piping systems.
  • In compliance with applicable standards and codes, students will demonstrate ability to maintain, extend, and/or alter plumbing systems, including drain waste and ventilation systems, systems for various industrial fluids, public or private water systems, and gas piping systems.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Plumbing Technology certificate and degree program will be prepared to work as a Foreman, General Foreman, Superintendent, Project Manager, Estimator, Detailer, Building Trades Inspector, Building Trades Instructor, and Union Business Agent/Business Manager in the energy, biopharmaceutical, healthcare, aerospace, construction, housing, water treatment, and food and beverage processing industries. Graduates of the Residential Plumbing certificate program will be employable as Journeyman Residential Plumber, Foreman, and General Foreman, working in residential construction, and repair of existing structures.

Award Type(s)

  • AS = Associate in Science Degree
  • CA = Certificate of Achievement

Units Required

  • Major: 67.5
  • Certificate(s): 20-67.5

Associate Degree Requirements

English Proficiency
Select one of the following:
ENGL 1ACOMPOSITION & READING5
ENGL 1AHHONORS COMPOSITION & READING5
ESLL 26ADVANCED COMPOSITION & READING5
or equivalent
Ethnic Studies
Any course in the ETHN (Ethnic Studies) subject code, currently approved for Area F of CSU GE and Area 7 of IGETC
Mathematics Proficiency
College-level math course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra

A minimum of 90 units is required1 to include:

  • Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • Core courses (67.5 units)
1

Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core courses used for the degree or certificates.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses
APPT 129SPECIAL TOPICS3.5
APPT 130REVIEW & TURNOUT3.5
APPT 131P-101 BASIC PLUMBING SKILLS7.5
APPT 132P-102 APPLIED & RELATED THEORY7
APPT 133P-201 BEGINNING DRAWING & DESIGN5
APPT 134AP-202A RIGGING; LAYOUT2.5
APPT 134BINDUSTRIAL SAFETY4.5
APPT 135AP-301A PLUMBING FIXTURES2.5
APPT 135BP-301B PLUMBING CODES4.5
APPT 136P-302 ADVANCED TRADE MATH FOR PLUMBERS7
APPT 137AP-401A WATER SYSTEMS4.5
APPT 137BP-401B APPLIED WELDING1.5
APPT 138P-402 ADVANCED DRAWING & BLUEPRINT READING7
APPT 139APROCESS PIPING3.5
APPT 139BMEDICAL GAS INSTALLATIONS3.5
Total Units67.5

Elective Courses

These courses are recommended to fulfill the additional elective requirements to reach 90 units for the degree as they augment the major:

BUSI 70BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL ETHICS4
CWE 60AOCCUPATIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE: APPRENTICE10.5

Note: Additionally, students who complete the core courses will satisfy Foothill GE Area II, English; Area III, Natural Sciences; Area IV, Social & Behavioral Sciences; Area V, Communication & Analytical Thinking; Area VI, United States Cultures & Communities; and Area VII, Lifelong Learning.

Certificate Requirements

Certificate of Achievement in Plumbing Technology

  • Units: 67.5

The certificate of achievement is awarded upon completion of the core courses. General education courses are not required.

Currently offered at: San Jose.

Certificate of Achievement in Residential Plumbing

  • Units: 20
APPT 121INTRODUCTION TO RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING, SAFETY & TOOLS2.5
APPT 122RESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS, WASTE, WATER & GAS SIZING2.5
APPT 123RESIDENTIAL GAS & WATER INSTALLATIONS2.5
APPT 124MATHEMATICS FOR RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING2.5
APPT 125RESIDENTIAL BLUEPRINT READING & DRAWING2.5
APPT 126RESIDENTIAL PIPING LAYOUT & INSTALLATION; RESIDENTIAL FIXTURES2.5
APPT 127RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING CODE2.5
APPT 128RESIDENTIAL BACKFLOW2.5
Total Units20