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PLUMBER |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
Plumbers plan, install and service plumbing systems, fixtures, piping equipment and controls. These piping systems may be used to transport water, waste, gases or hot liquids.
On a typical construction job, plumbers do the “roughing in” after the frame and roof of a new building are in place. In other words, they:
Plumbers return to the construction site after the plasterers or drywallers, tilesetters and floor covering installers have completed their work to do the “finishing” work such as installing sinks, tubs and toilets.
Plumbers may specialize in the types of work they do:
The working conditions for plumbers vary from one job to another. There is little protection from the weather when a plumber is roughing-in, more protection for finishing, and often comfortable conditions for maintenance and repair work. In smaller communities, plumbers generally do a wider variety of plumbing and plumbing-related jobs such as installing private sewage disposal systems and potable water distribution systems.
There may be some risk of injury involved in working with rough metals, power tools and pipe-joining equipment.
The work is most rewarding to people who enjoy using their specialized skills in a variety of working conditions and working with little supervision.
To be successful in the trade, plumbers need:
- lift heavy pipes weighing in excess of 25 kilograms
- be on your feet for long periods
- sometimes work in cramped positions
Plumbers are employed by construction contractors, plumbing repair shops and large organizations. Some are self-employed. Their employment prospects vary considerably with seasonal and economic climates.
Journeyman wage rates vary, but generally range from $26 to $32 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced plumbers may advance to supervisory positions such as foreman or estimator, or start their own contracting businesses.
To work as a Plumber in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyman or hold a recognized trade certificate. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Plumbers learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A plumber who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A plumber who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Journeyman Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Plumbers who have no trade certification but can prove that their skills and work experience meet the standards set for journeymen in Alberta may apply for certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, a document indicating that the individual holds a certificate that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate, or a certificate that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a plumber is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
An applicant who is not already certified in Alberta as a Gasfitter (A) or (B) will complete an apprenticeship program that includes both the plumber and gasfitter (B) trades.
To learn the skills required of a plumber in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
An applicant who is certified in Alberta as a Gasfitter (A) or (B) will apply to apprentice in the Plumber trade.
An applicant who is not certified as a Gasfitter will apply to apprentice as a Plumber and Gasfitter (B).
- during on-the-job training, apprentice plumbers earn at least 50 percent of the journeyman wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 60 percent in the second, 70 percent in the third, and 80 percent in the fourth year.
- select an educational institution that offers the training, and a time to attend training:
- for an apprentice as a plumber (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- for an apprentice as a plumber and gasfitter (B) (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
- for an apprentice as a plumber (see Exam Counselling Sheets, and click here to view the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Policy on Cheating)
- for an apprentice as a plumber and gasfitter (B) (see Exam Counselling Sheets, and click here to view the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Policy on Cheating)
An apprentice who successfully completes a program as a Plumber and Gasfitter 2nd class will be issued two Alberta Journeyman Certificates – one as a Plumber and one as a Gasfitter (B).
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets, and click here to view the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Policy on Cheating)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyman or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
- review available resource materials (see Resource Materials - Plumber )
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized certificate, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Journeyman Equivalency document. Because some employers may not be familiar with these certificates, the holder may choose to apply for an Equivalency document.
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a non-recognized certificate, a person must:
An applicant who chooses to write the exam(s) must:
- review available resource materials (see Resource Materials - Plumber )
An applicant who chooses to have their skills and knowledge assessed (instead of writing an exam) must:
- complete the Equivalency Application – Alternate Assessment and submit it to an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office
- pay the non-refundable application fee as identified on the application noted above
The Alternate Assessment process includes an assessment of the standards that the certificate is based on compared to Alberta's standards, and verification and assessment of the applicant's previous work experience, skills, knowledge and training in the trade. The application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's experience in the trade.
An applicant whose trade credential from another Canadian province or territory is currently not valid (has expired) in the jurisdiction for which it was originally issued may apply to the Qualification Certificate Program to have their experience assessed and examined.
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate, a person must:
- a certified steamfitter – pipefitter must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a plumber
- a certified sprinkler systems installer must have at least 6,750 hours and 57 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a plumber
- a certified gasfitter (A) must have at least 6,750 hours and 57 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a plumber
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
- review available resource materials (see Resource Materials - Plumber )
