Certificate of Achievement in Plumbing Technology

Foothill College

The Associate in Science in Plumbing Technology degree program is conducted in partnership with the Pipe Trades Training Center apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program is five years in duration, requiring a minimum of 9,000 hours of on-the-job training. After 5 years of classroom instruction and paid work experience, students are recognized as journeypersons within the Pipe Trades industry, working to protect the health and safety of the community by piping pure water to commercial and industrial buildings for drinking, cooking, washing, cleaning, manufacturing, or personal use, and removing waste water after it has served its purpose. Students earning an associate degree increase their marketability and employment opportunities. The apprenticeship program-which includes coursework, lab work, and on-the-job training-involves learning about the assessment, installation, maintenance, and repair of different types of pipe systems, effective and safe tool use, material applications, related mathematics and science, and storage. Students will learn to read blueprints, apply layout and install, as well as estimate and repair both supply and waste water systems. The Associate in Science in Plumbing Technology degree builds on the Certificate of Achievement in Plumbing Technology by adding requirements for general education courses and electives.