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Apprenticeship Training on Prince Edward Island

Plumbing

The Georgetown Centre is the Welding Fabrication, Plumbing, Pipe-Trades and Commercial Diving training facility of Holland College. The Centre houses state-of-the-art equipment and leading industry technology. Full-time and customized training programs for individuals preparing for a career or who are currently involved in the welding, plumbing, steamfitting/pipefitting and/or commercial diving fields are delivered at this Centre.

The Welding and Fabrication shop features an air-in, air-out ventilation and fume extraction system ensuring a practically fume-free environment. The shop is equipped with up-to-date metal forming and welding equipment and features a five-ton rail-mounted indoor crane. Fabrication trainees are provided with a facility to design and construct a wide variety of small and large projects.

The Pipe and Plumbing shop is equipped with current pipe preparation and fabrication equipment as well as individualized bench workstations, a fabrication area and a two-story building mock-up. This bright workshop features fuel-gas connections, welding units, pipe end preparation booths and a pipe bending station. Also available is a steam boiler lab area, a hydronic heating lab area and a pump installation station. Preparation and fabrication of virtually all types of pipe and tubing are within the capabilities of the Georgetown Centre Pipe Fabrication shop.

The Commercial Diving facility features a large aboveground tank with a 21 foot depth and ground level observation window. Also included in this facility is a full-service metallurgy lab with tensile and impact testers, welding stations outfitted with new SMAW and Flux Core equipment and a jib and monorail hoist.

Complementing the Welding Fabrication, Plumbing and Pipe Fabrication and Underwater Welding facilities are:

• a spacious Study/Resource Centre
• a computer lab containing Pentium computers equipped with 17" monitors, Smartboard technology with multi-media capabilities, Internet, e-mail accounts and loaded with Word Processing, Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD) and SigmaNEST software
• a metallurgy lab
• a Canadian Welding Bureau Test Centre
• instructional staff with industry experience and who are certified in their area of expertise
• trained support staff who provide assistance in related areas of study including communications, mathematics, physical science and computer literacy curriculum that has been developed to national standards and validated by industry

The Plumbing program is developed from nationally identified skills for piping occupations. The objective of the program is to provide training for individuals preparing for a career or who are currently involved in this field. The program also allows for specialization in installing process pipe and tubing, natural and liquified gas, plumbing, heating and instrumentation and fire sprinkler and standpipe systems.

Workplace health and safety and personal development are encouraged throughout the program. On-the-job training is an integral part of the program.

Plumbers and plumber apprentices install and service hot and cold water distribution piping, plumbing fixtures and appliances, waste and vent piping, wastewater disposal and hot water heating in systems in residential, commercial and institutional applications. Natural and propane gas lines, medical vacuum and medical gas, process piping and fire standpipe systems are also installed by graduates of this course.

For additional apprenticeship information, please click here.

Areas of Competency

• Use Safe Work Practices
  Study and practice acceptable work habits including attitude, safe conduct, housekeeping, and personal protective equipment
• Develop Personal Competencies
  Develop skills to install related plumbing fixtures and trim in a manner acceptable to industry standards
• Perform Job Planning Procedures
  Perform a job by obtaining drawings, list material required and perform proper installation procedures
• Use Tools and Equipment
  Develop safe practices in the use and care of tools and equipment used in the industry; select, operate and maintain hand and power tools in the manner they were intended to be used
• Install Drain, Waste and Vent Systems
  Install a drainage waste and ventury system in a simulated environment to meet the National Plumbing Code
• Install Portable Water Systems and Equipment
  Install deep and shallow well centrifugal, pumping system and submersible water pumps; perform rough in and connection of plastic and copper water supply piping
• Install and Test Piping Systems and Components
  Install plastic and copper piping, cap and test using air and water to meet the National Plumbing Code
• Use Pipe Joining Methods
  Properly assemble PVC, ABS, steel, copper and polyethelene piping system; stay abreast and learn any new and emerging methods relating to industry
• Install Specialized Piping Systems
  Learn the proper installation of heating systems which include air, med gas, propane, glass and corrosion resistant pipe
• Install Specialties, Trim and Equipment
  Install toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, bidets, urinals, garborators and related faucets and valves
• Perform Service and Maintenance
  Repair pumps, valves and faucets; learn proper procedures for cleaning waste lines from fixtures; use power drain cleaning equipment for above and below ground piping and trouble shoot heating system components.

Graduate Opportunities

Graduates of this program may find entry-level employment in the following areas:

• Mechanical contracting companies
• Heating contractors
• Plumbing companies
• Vacuum system installers
• Irrigation systems
• Natural gas utility companies
• Propane gas companies
• Sewer and water utilities
• Plumbing and heating service
• Water pump installers
• Hardware sales
• Water treatment systems installation

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level with minimum grade 11 mathematics and English
• Preference will be given to applicants with grade 11 or 12 physics
• Consideration will be given to applicants with employment experience in related construction or service occupations
• Resume including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program to which you are applying

If you have any questions concerning the Plumbing program, contact Phyllis MacPhee- pmacphee@hollandc.pe.ca