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 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 student 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 graduates 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
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 and lab to support on-the-job learning.
Academics
The Plumbing Apprenticeship courses are available on site at the Ashland, New Richmond and Rice Lake campuses.
Continuing Education
Graduates are able to apply program credits towards the Technical Studies – Journeyworker associate degree program
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
Curriculum
Program 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
Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*
Plumbing Apprentice
16 Credits | 5 years
$2,709
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 Completion Credential from the Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards.
Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information
Northwood Tech’s Plumbing Apprenticeship meets the requirements of the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards in Wisconsin. Northwood Tech has not made a determination whether it’s programs meet licensure in states other than Wisconsin. Students who may be seeking professional licensure in states other than Wisconsin should contact the appropriate bureau or licensing board in that state to verify that the Northwood Tech program meets licensure or certification requirements.
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.
