Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Trade Profile - Plumber

What does it take to be a plumber?

Over the next ten years, it is estimated that over 261,100 tradespeople will retire in Canada, while only 221,300 will enter the field, resulting in a significant loss of skilled workers. In addition, due to the aging population, the overall number of people who are considered to be in their working prime (age 25-54) is expected to decline. These factors will make it increasingly difficult to replenish the retiring workforce.

In response to the anticipated shortage of skilled apprentices, the construction industry has developed several initiatives, opportunities, and grants to encourage youth, women, the indigenous population, and other groups to consider a career in the skilled trades. Alongside various partners, CLAC has become increasingly involved in promoting the skilled trades as a rewarding career option, while simultaneously looking for new ways to support industry and workers alike.

Over the next year, we will share a variety of trades-related blogs here on Your Voice. We will highlight in-demand trades by providing you with a snap shot of their education requirements, average salary, and employment outlook.

This month’s highlighted trade is plumber.

One of the more commonly recognized trades, plumbers do so much more than fix your backed-up sinks and toilets as seen on Saturday morning television.

They plan, install, and service plumbing systems, fixtures, piping equipment, and controls. On a typical construction job, plumbers work on the site in two stages. First, after the frame and roof are in place, they do the roughing in, which includes studying building plans and determining layouts for plumbing; assembling and installing valves and fittings; and installing underground storm, sanitary, and water piping systems. They then return to the job after the plasterers, drywallers, and tilesetters are finished to install fixtures such as sinks, tubs, and toilets.

Those interested in starting a career as a plumber can expect to complete a four-year apprenticeship program, including a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year. To work as a plumber in a Canadian province, a person must be a registered apprentice with their province’s training authority or a provincially-certified journeyperson. In Alberta, the plumber apprenticeship program also includes gasfitter class B certification. This means that those who successfully complete their plumbing apprenticeship will receive two Alberta journeyperson certificates: plumber and gasfitter class B!

High school students in Alberta can also become apprentice plumbers! Through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) students are able to gain credits toward their apprenticeship training and high school diploma at the same time, all while making a paycheque. There are also several provincial scholarships available to those registered into the RAP including the High School Apprenticeship Scholarship ($1,000) and the High School Apprenticeship Scholarship – Bright Future ($2,000)! Students who are interested in joining the RAP should speak to their school’s off-campus coordinator to get started.

It is predicted by BuildForce Canada’s 2019 Construction and Maintenance Outlook report for Alberta that, “the availability of workers meeting employer qualifications in the local market may be limited by large projects, plant shutdowns, or other short-term increases in demand. . . . Employers may need to compete to attract the needed workers.” This trend is found in both residential and non-residential sectors and remains consistent for the next eight years, maintaining a steady need for skilled apprentices and journeypersons in the plumbing trade.

CLAC represents various contractors who employ plumbers. Journeyperson wages can range on average from $28 to $37 per hour, plus additional benefits. A career as a plumber comes with unlimited career possibilities as they have the opportunity to specialize in a variety of skills, allowing them to work in various conditions and with little supervision. They have the opportunity to be employed by construction contractors, plumbing repair shops, and large organizations, or to be self-employed. Experienced plumbers may advance to supervisory positions such as foreperson or estimator, or even start their own contracting business.

Interested in the skilled trades? Contact your CLAC Training Team for support in navigating the apprenticeship pathway, assistance in enrolling in technical training, and information regarding student funding.

Trade Profile - Plumber

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