Plumbing Apprentice
Registered Apprenticeship
16 Credits | 5 Years
Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake
Career Cluster: Architecture and Construction
Contact
Eric Lockwood, Director, Apprenticeships and Academies
715.246.1871
Email Eric
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
What is an Apprenticeship?
A Registered Apprenticeship is a state-certified work-based training program that combines paid-related instruction and on-the-job training. Apprentices are trained under a written training agreement called an indenture. While indentured, the employer agrees to teach the apprentice the skills of the trade and the apprentice agrees to learn the skills involved.
Plumbing Apprentice Overview
Plumbers install, repair, and maintain water supply, wastewater treatment, drainage and gas systems in homes, commercial, and industrial buildings. The work includes plumbing tasks to assemble, install and repair pipes, fittings, and fixtures of heating, water and drainage systems according to specifications and plumbing codes. Plumbers also install sanitary facilities such as lavatories, toilets, tubs, bathroom fixtures, showers, kitchen fixtures, drinking fountains, and laundry equipment.
Program Outcomes
Plumbing Apprentice completers will be able to:
- Apply state plumbing code requirements to the installation and repair of sanitary drain systems
- Apply state plumbing code requirements to the installation and repair of venting systems
- Apply state plumbing code requirements to the installation and repair of water supply systems
- Apply state plumbing code requirements to the installation and repair of storm drain systems
- Apply state plumbing code requirements to the installation and repair of POWTS systems
- Refer to the Wisconsin Administrative Plumbing codes
- Prepare for Journey level licensure examination
Technical Standards
In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
On-the-job learning is 90% of apprenticeships. Apprentices are full-time, paid employees trained by the employer's skilled workers.
Wage scale of apprentice systematically increases throughout the apprenticeship
Apprentices learn the theory to support on-the-job training.
Academics
The Plumbing Apprenticeship courses are available on site at the Ashland, New Richmond and Rice Lake campuses.
Program Features
This five-year apprenticeship includes 8000 hours of on-the-job training, 572 hours of paid related instruction, and 260 hours of unpaid related instruction.
Transition to Trainer
The Transition to Trainer course is required for completion. Students will take this course the last year of the apprenticeship
Continuing Education
Graduates are able to apply 39 program credits towards the Technical Studies – Journeyworker associate degree program
Required Courses
Required courses are state-approved and designed specifically to meet employer needs. The unpaid related coursework is designed specifically to the local employers needs.
Featured Plumbing Apprentice Courses
Admissions and Tuition
To become an apprentice in the state of Wisconsin, one must first be indentured by the State Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (BAS). To become indentured you must:
- Contact an employer on your own. Employment is a requirement of entering an apprenticeship.
- Once you have an employer / sponsor, contact the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards to initiate the application process between you and your employer
See Requirements and Application for more details
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*
Plumbing Apprentice
16 Credits | 5 years
$2,728
There will be additional cost for unpaid related instruction in addition to the estimated tuition and fees listed above.
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the Northwood Tech Plumbing Apprentice Program
Upon completion of the apprenticeship, you will receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship Completion issued by the Department of Workforce Development - Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (DWD-BAS).
Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information
Northwood Tech’s Plumbing Apprenticeship is designed to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The College has not determined and does not guarantee its required courses meet the requirements for preparation, examination, or licensure in states/territories other than Wisconsin and Minnesota as documented on the licensure and certification disclosure webpage. Students who may be seeking professional licensure in states/territories other than Wisconsin or Minnesota should contact the appropriate bureau or licensing board in that state to verify that the Northwood Tech program meets licensure or certification requirements. To be eligible for testing and/or licensing in the state of Wisconsin or Minnesota, you may be required to obtain a social security number.
For more information, visit:
Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards and Department of Workforce Development
Contact
Eric Lockwood, Director, Apprenticeships and Academies
715.246.1871
Email Eric
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
