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Plumbing Apprenticeship

What Does a Plumber Do?
What Are the Working Conditions?
How is the Training Structured?
What are the Application Requirements?
What Skills Should I Possess?
Who Do I Contact?
Additional Resources

Did you know?*

• Job opportunities should be very good, especially for workers with welding experience.
• Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters comprise one of the largest and highest paid construction occupations.
• Most States and localities require plumbers to be licensed.
• Apprenticeship programs generally provide the most comprehensive training, but many workers train in career or technical schools or community colleges.
• The Plumbing apprenticeship is a 5-year program

*Statistics retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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What Does a Plumber Do?

Plumbers design, install, repair and maintain piping systems such as soil, waste, vent, potable water, wastewater treatment, gas systems (medical, propane, and natural) in residential, commercial, industrial buildings and at utility sites. Plumbing tasks require the ability to assemble, install, maintain and repair pipes, fittings, fixtures, appurtenances, appliances of heating, water, storm and sanitary drainage systems according to specifications and plumbing codes. Plumbers install sanitary fixtures; such as, lavatories, toilets, bathtubs, bathroom accessories, showers, kitchen sinks and appliances, drinking fountains and laundry equipment.

Tasks:

• Install interior and exterior underground sanitary, storm sewer and water and private sewage systems.
• Prepare, install, test, maintain and remove vertical and horizontal waste systems, stacks and branches, including soil, waste vent, and conductors.
• Install water supply systems, including underground and above-ground domestic potable hot and cold water systems, cross-connection control, and water treatment, multi-purpose pipes, and backflow prevention.
• Set and connect all types of plumbing and gas fixtures and appliances, including those connected with both the water supply, gas, and waste water and water treatment systems.
• Plumbing layout.
• Core drilling, stock work and truck driving.
• Review blueprints and building codes and specifications to determine work details, layout, and procedures.
• Study building plans and inspect structures to assess material and equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, and to plan installation around obstructions such as electrical wiring.
• Keep records of assignments and produce detailed work reports.
• Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, and fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers and levels.
• Measure, cut, thread, weld, braze, solder, and bend pipe to required angle, using hand and power tools or machines; such as: pipe cutters, pipe-threading machines, and pipe-bending machines.
• Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers, water heaters, and fixtures; such as sinks and toilets, using hand and power tools and water treatment equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

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What Are the Working Conditions?

Plumbing work can be indoors or outdoors in existing and newly constructed buildings, in all weather conditions. The work requires physical strength and stamina with prolonged standing, bending, and lifting heavy pipes and equipment and working in cramped, awkward or uncomfortable positions. Training in safety practices prevents the risk of dangers with falls from ladders, cuts from sharp tools and burns from hot pipes or soldering equipment. Must be able to work from heights of 50 ft or higher to working in trenches, below ground, and other confined areas. Must be able to tolerate a variety of environments (weather and work sites, hours, etc.), have mechanical abilities, have awareness of surroundings and responsibilities, and be able to tolerate repetitive motion reaching and handling, and the ability to climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel and crouch on a repetitive basis. Must be able to travel and have the ability to work flexible hours and nights.

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How is the Training Structured?

• 5 year training program
• 8,000 hours on-the-job training
• 500 hours paid related instruction
• 260 hours of unpaid related instruction
• Apprentice must complete Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and OSHA Safety Training Courses during his/her first year
• First Aid/ CPR Course Certification must be kept current throughout the duration of the apprenticeship
• Apprentice must in his/her final year complete the Transition-To-Trainer Course

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What are the Application Requirements?

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Meet required norms on aptitude test (if required)
• Physically able to perform trade work
• Valid driver's license or reliable transportation

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What Skills Should I Possess?

• Customer and Personal Service- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Designs- Ability to learn and read, blueprints/diagrams and technical manuals.
• Building and Construction- Basic knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance involved in construction.
• Science- Basic knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. Basic understanding of physics, etc.
• Computers- Knowledge of computers and their use.
• Active Listening- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Problem Solving- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Time Management- Managing one's own time and the time of others and possess personal organizational skills.
• Mathematics- Using mathematics, including measuring, counting, basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, calculate ratios, percentages, and dimensions with and without the aid of a calculator.
• Analytical Thinking- Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Dependability- Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, accountable for and fulfilling obligations on time and accurately.
• Initiative- Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Performing General Physical Activities- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body both at heights and in confined spaces; such as: climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials with the ability for moderate to heavy lifting.
• Stress Tolerance- Job requires accepting criticism and constructive criticism.
• Team Work- Ability to work alone or as part of a team.

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Who Should I Contact In My Area?

Choose your area:
Northeast
Northwest
Southeast
Southwest

Northeast

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan Jane Kramer
Appleton Area Plumbing JAC	Suite D 3315 N. Ballard Rd. Appleton, WI 54911-8988 Phone: (920) 734-3148 Fax: (920) 734-6754	Jane Kramer
Marshfield Area Plumbing JAC	1701 S Galvin Ave Marshfield, WI 54449 Phone: (715) 387-3411	Debbie Fochs
Northeast WI Area Plumbing JAC	P.O. Box 19042 Green Bay, WI 54307-9042 Phone: (920) 498-5704 Fax: (920) 498-6315	Burt Harding
Rhinelander Area Plumbing JAC	Nicolet Area Tech. College PO Box 518 Rhinelander, WI 54501 Phone: (715) 365-4565 Fax: (715) 365-4542	Debbie Fochs
Stevens Point Area Plumbing JAC	3001 Hoover Ave Stevens Point, WI 54481 Phone: (715) 341-9530	Debbie Fochs
Wausau Area Plumbing JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: (715) 832-1014	Debbie Fochs
Wisconsin Rapids Area Plumbing JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: (715) 832-1014 Fax: (715) 832-9507	Debbie Fochs

Northwest

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan
Eau Claire Area Plumbing JAC	3315 N Ballard Rd Suite D Appleton, WI 54913 Phone: (920) 734-3148 Fax: (920) 734-6754	Myra Stachowicz
Marshfield Area Plumbing JAC	1701 S Galvin Ave Marshfield, WI 54449 Phone: (715) 387-3411	Debbie Fochs
Northern WI Plumbing Advisory Committee	916 6th Ave. West Ashland, WI 54806 Phone: (715) 234-7082 Fax: (715) 234-7563	Myra Stachowicz
Rhinelander Area Plumbing JAC	Nicolet Area Tech. College PO Box 518 Rhinelander, WI 54501 Phone: (715) 365-4565 Fax: (715) 365-4542	Debbie Fochs
Stevens Point Area Plumbing JAC	3001 Hoover Ave Stevens Point, WI 54481 Phone: (715) 341-9530	Debbie Fochs
Wausau Area Plumbing JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: (715) 832-1014	Debbie Fochs
Western WI Area Plumbing	N8230 945th St. River Falls, WI 54022 Phone: (715) 832-1014 Fax: (715) 832-9507	Myra Stachowicz
Wisconsin Rapids Area Plumbing JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: (715) 832-1014 Fax: (715) 832-9507	Debbie Fochs

Southeast

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Jane Kramer Mary Harrington
Appleton Area Plumbing JAC	3315 N Ballard Rd Suite D Appleton, WI 54913 Phone: (920) 734-3148 Fax: (920) 734-6754	Jane Kramer
Fond du Lac Area Plumbing	3315 N Ballard Rd Suite D Appleton, WI 54913 Phone: (920) 734-3148 Fax: (920) 734-6754	Sandra Destree
Kenosha-Racine-Walworth Plumbing JAC	14011 Spring Street Sturtevant, WI 53177-0591 Phone: (262) 884-8102
Lake To Lake Area Plumbing JAC	1290 North Ave Cleveland, WI 53015 Phone: (920) 458-4183	Sandra Destree
Madison Area Plumbing JAC	5940 Seminole Cnt Ct #102 Madison, WI 53711 Phone: (608) 288-1414 Fax: (608) 288-1515	Mary Pierce
Milwaukee Area Plumbing JAC	11175 W Parkland Ave Milwaukee, WI 53224-3135 Phone: (414) 359-1318 Fax: (414) 359-1323	Hafeezah Ahmad
Oshkosh Area Plumbing JAC	4844 Cty Rd T Oshkosh, WI 54904 Phone: (920) 233-6761	Sandra Destree

Southwest

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan
La Crosse Area Plumbing JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone:(608) 785-9176 Fax: (608) 785-9473	Kathy O'Sullivan
Southwest WI Area Plumbing Advisory Committee	1200 E Hwy 151 Platteville, WI 53818 Phone: (608) 348-3332 Fax: (608) 348-3363	Kathy O'Sullivan

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Additional Resources

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains information on all occupations. For more information on the Plumbing trade in the United States, visit:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos211.htm

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Sources: Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Position Descriptions,
Apprenticeship in Wisconsin Handbook

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