Becoming a plumber is a secure career move. To set yourself up for success, you need the right education. If you are in Houston, take a look at these great options for plumbing programs.
Houston Community College
Houston Community College offers plumbing in two courses. You will learn all about pipes, fixtures, drains, valves, and other devices that distribute water. Together, the courses equal 160 credit hours and you will end the course with all of the necessary information to kickstart your career.
Plumber’s Local Union Apprenticeship
The Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee offers a plumbing apprenticeship to those interested in learning the trade of plumbing. This is a paid apprenticeship and the program lasts five years. This will give you between 8,500 and 10,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors
PHCC of Texas offers plumbing classes in Houston that are approved by the Department of Labor. When you apply to get your plumbing license, this course will qualify you for some better incentives than you would get with other courses. The curriculum is four years, and you will have classroom and on-the-job training.
Lone Star College
Lone Star College offers a plumbing residential certificate. This is a fast-track program that will give you industry training and a total of 228 hours of classroom learning. You will learn all of the basics about installing and maintaining water, sewage, drainage, and plumbing systems.
Penn Foster
Penn Foster offers an online, affordable plumbing training program that you can complete at your own pace. The course can be completed in as little as six months. Their online portal is even mobile-friendly, so you can learn wherever is most convenient for you. You have 24/7 access to your learning materials.
SBISD – Community Education
This is a Foundations of Plumbing course that will help you learn and understand all of the essentials you need to know in the field of plumbing. You can take this course in your own time, which makes it great if you have a day-time job. There are 145 class hours that need to be completed with the potential of being finished in about a year.
Remington College
Remington College offers a diploma in Facility Maintenance. This program prepares you for not only plumbing, but also electrical repairs, HVAC maintenance, and carpentry repairs. You will receive hands-on training that prepares you for what you will encounter daily as a plumber. You can complete the entire program in as little as nine months. It is offered as a hybrid program with some courses online and others in person.
Ashworth College
Ashworth is a great way to get a plumbing education online. This is great for those that aren’t able to make it to in person classes but are still serious about getting into the plumbing industry. You can take the course in your own time and finish it as quickly as you want. You will learn all the necessary plumbing information to set you up for success.
Houston Community College
Houston Community College offers a program that combines Plumbing I ; II into one course. During this course, you will learn how to accurately apply math calculations that are related to plumbing, how to handle hand and power tools, and proper safety practices for plumbers.
Some of the things covered in this course include learning how to measure and cut plastic pipes and groove copper tubes. You will also learn about the different types of steel pipefittings, how to measure and cut hangers, and the types of support used for steel pipes.
You will gain knowledge on how to choose proper fixtures and faucets for different types of installation materials. Another important concept covered is the drain-waste vent system design. The skills you learn in this course will prepare you for entry-level plumbing jobs.
Houston Community College also offers a plumber apprenticeship. The apprenticeship provides you with three to five years of job training and all of the skills you need to be successful in your future career.
Plumbers Local Union Apprenticeship
This apprenticeship is offered by the Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee and is funded by agreements with Contractor Associations. That means that there may be a potential of earning some money while you are learning the trade.
The apprenticeship has a duration of five years and will allow you to clock 8,500 to 10,000 hours of hands-on job training. There is no cost to join the apprenticeship, and there might even be eligibility for partial pay and benefits.
There are some pretty strict prerequisites in order to join this apprenticeship. For starters, you have to have the physical ability to handle the duties of the job. You also have to be of good moral character. Another thing that is required is reliable transportation.
You have to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. You will also have to provide your original birth certificate with your application. If you are a Veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your Service Separation papers when you apply. You will also be required to sit through an interview with members of the Committee.
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