plumber

Regulated Occupation: YES.
National Occupation Classification Code: 7251
Employment Outlook: Above average occupation growth in Alberta
Minimum Educational Requirement: Grade 12
Length of Apprenticeship Training: 4 years of training while you work
Trades Certification: YES (Compulsory Certification Trade)

OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Can I practice in my trade right away?
• What are the duties for this trade?
• What other titles are used for this trade?
• What educational institutions offer training for this trade in Alberta?
• What salary can I expect?
• What is the employment outlook in Calgary?
• What do employers expect beyond technical skills?
   

OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Can I practice in my trade right away?

No, even if you have a foreign trade certificate or diploma, and experience you need to contact the Alberta Government - Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Depending on your training and work experience you will receive all the information about how you can qualify for certification in your trade in Alberta. See the address of all offices of Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

READ MORE...See more detailed information for people who have work experience in trades but do not have the registered apprentice title or journeyman certification - Alberta Qualification Certificate

What are the duties for this trade?

Plumbers assemble and install water plumbing systems, including bathroom and kitchen fixtures (examples: bathtubs, showers, sinks, toilets) and also any electrical appliances that use the water piping system (examples: dishwashers, garburators, washing machines, water conditioning machines).

Plumbers also install, test and repair underground piping systems and storm sanitary systems. Repair work involves cutting and soldering to join metal pipes (cutting and cementing for plastic pipes), and replacing valves.

Plumbers specialize in particular plumbing systems and the type of work they perform new system installation or repair of the existing system:
. new plumbing system installation for residential buildings,
. new plumbing system installation for commercial, industrial and institutional (schools, hospitals) buildings
. water conditioning system installation to reduce the natural alkalinity of water
. repair, maintenance and replacement of the existing plumbing system

Plumbers may be required to lift heavy items weighing over 25 kilograms (67 pounds).

The work is usually 40 hours per week throughout the year. Emergency plumbing repair services require work later at night and on weekends.

See the general occupation profile, employment outlook and training information for Plumbers; please note that companies may have different specific requirements in their job postings and job descriptions

READ MORE�See the general occupation profile, employment outlook and training information for Plumbers; please note that companies may have different specific requirements in their job postings and job descriptions.

. Alberta Learning Information Service: ALIS Occupation Profiles
. Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training: Trades Secrets
 

What other titles are used for this trade?

* Maintenance Plumber
* Master Plumber
* Plumber, Maintenance and Repair
* Plumbing Installer
* Plumbing Mechanic
* Residential Construction Plumber

READ MORE...See a long list of related job titles in all Metal Form Shaping in Canada available at the Federal Government web site: JobFutures

What educational institutions offer training for this trade in Alberta?

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training is responsible for organizing trades training and certification in Alberta. Presently, technical training for apprenticeship is offered by the following institutions:

. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology(SAIT) in Calgary
. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology(NAIT) in Edmonton
. Fairview College in the City of Fariview
. Medicine Hat College in the City of Medicine Hat
. Red Deer College in the City of Red Deer

Find other educational institutions offering training for trades and other occupations in Alberta: search Alberta Learning Information Service � EDinfo

What salary can I expect?

Journeymen Plumbers in Alberta have a general rate of $18 to $24/hour plus benefits such as: health insurance, pension contributions, paid vacation days, paid sick days, etc� Overtime pay is usually higher than the regular hourly rate, and as agreed with your employer is considered for additional work over the 40 hours of regular work each week.

Apprentice Plumbers through their four years of training earn more and more, getting closer to the journeyman hourly wage:

. first year of apprenticeship: 50% of the journeyman hourly rate
. second year of apprenticeship: 60% of the journeyman hourly rate
. third year of apprenticeship: 70% of the journeyman hourly rate
. fourth year of apprenticeship: 80% of the journeyman hourly rate

READ MORE�See updated salary information at the website of the Alberta Learning Information Service � WAGEinfo

What is the employment outlook in Calgary?

In Alberta, over 75% of Plumbers are employed by the construction industry. Plumbing repair services are usually small businesses owned and operated by plumbers.

In Calgary, the construction industry is a major employer. Calgary is one of the most dynamic cities in the country, with an increased construction activity in all areas: commercial, industrial and residential. Alberta Human Resources and Employment estimates that in Calgary there will be expected critical skills shortages in the whole occupational group known as Piping Trades (Labour Market News: Calgary and Area, January 2004, p.2).


READ MORE...Is Calgary�s economy growing? - Construction Industry

What do employers expect beyond trade technical skills?

Every employer has a set of basic rules that apply to all employees. Employers expect everybody to know and follow these rules that range from being punctual in the morning at the start of the workday, to more complex rules, such as the health and safety program in your unit.

Employers expect good workplace communication skills and a combination of basic mathematics and document skills as required by increasingly complex instructions to operate tools and understand how to use computerized equipment.

READ MORE...Employer Expectations in the Construction Trades

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Start Your Application for Journeyman Certification

Contact the Government of Alberta � Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and obtain information about the number of apprenticeship hours you are required to complete and what courses you need to take. If you have a foreign trades certificate or diploma you will be advised how obtain your journeyman certification and start practice your trade in the province of Alberta. Earning an Alberta trade certificates qualify you to practice anywhere else in Canada. 

READ MORE...Red Seal Program