A plumbing apprentice has to be aware of a number of factors required to be a good plumber.
- Plumbing is a physically challenging job. The apprentice will not be able to sit at a desk all day; the job requires a lot of physical energy in order to successfully complete the given task.
- The apprentice will be required to work in all sorts of environments including at construction sites or at heights in all sorts of weather.
The plumbing apprentice should therefore be ready to handle any challenge that the job holds in store for him or her.
A plumbing apprentice has to realize that plumbing services are required at domestic installations as well as in the construction industry. A qualified plumber is also involved in the laying of underground drainage pipes and in the installation of sanitation systems. Plumbers also have to get actively involved in the promotion of environmentally friendly technologies such as solar heating and rain water harvesting.
A plumbing apprentice learns many things, the first of which is how to install and maintain plumbing systems and their components. They are taught how to repair and test various plumbing fixtures and appliances. The apprentice is also required to enroll in a course on basic plumbing which will ensure that the apprentice is well versed with the fundamental elements of the plumbing trade including hot and cold water systems, safety, central heating and sanitation.
A plumbing apprenticeship imparts an education on all aspects of plumbing services including the skills needed, the expectations and the daily tasks involved as a plumber. The apprentice receives a combination of structured instruction and on-the-job training working with a licensed plumber. Contractors employ plumbing apprentices for a specified term under the supervision of an experienced plumber. The apprentice usually receives wages for work. Some contractors allow the apprentices other benefits too.
Candidates aspiring to begin a plumbing apprenticeship must be at least 18 years of age. He or she should have completed high school or have an equivalent diploma. Successful completion of an aptitude test may be required before apprenticeship selection. The plumbing apprenticeship involves four or five years of study which include more than 100 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on plumbing work.
As a plumbing apprentice advances and gets more experience, he or she will be required to learn more complicated skills such as working with gas.
After completing a plumbing apprenticeship, a newly certified plumber can choose to offer his services to domestic clients or seek employment with construction companies or home renovators. Alternatively, he or she can choose to enhance their skills further by specializing as steam fitters, pipe fitters, pipe layers or sprinkler fitters.
