Apprenticeship Programme

Throughout the plumbing module, apprentices will learn to plan, install and service plumbing systems, fixtures, piping equipment and controls. These piping systems may be used to transport water, waste, gases or hot liquids.

A typical construction project may include roughing in after the frame and roof of a new building are in place. This means you will:

• Study the building plans and specifications to determine the layout for the plumbing and other materials
• Locate and mark the positions for connections and fixtures
• Cut holes through walls and floors to accommodate pipes
• Select the type and size of pipe required and measure, cut, thread, bend, clamp, solvent cement or solder pipe.
• Assemble and install valves and fittings..
• Join pipe sections and secure them in position
• Test pipe systems for leaks
• install underground storm sanitary and water piping system

Apprentices may also carry out residential repair and maintenance work in homes, commercial and institutional structures, and provide customer service for renovations or common plumbing problems that occur in houses and multi-home structures.

Learn to install, maintain, repair and overhaul industrial, commercial and residential refrigeration and air conditioning systems and their component parts.

At installation sites, you’ll work from drawings or verbal instructions to:

• Mount or place system components
• Assemble and install refrigeration or air conditioning systems and components
• Install and calibrate related controls (including wiring) and start-up systems
• Test lines to detect leaks
• Record the readings taken to ensure that the system is functioning satisfactorily

Maintenance work involves checking all parts of a system, lubricating moving parts and monitoring the refrigerant charge. When there is a malfunction, you will diagnose the problem and fix the unit by replacing or repairing controls, electric wiring or other parts. You may also repair heating equipment, troubleshoot gas-fired equipment and calibrate all gas-related controls.

Learn how to design, fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products required in a wide variety of industries and settings.

If you desire a career where you will work with your hands and develop special skills that can be used in a variety of industries, you will enjoy working as a Sheet Metal Worker.

During your career, you will:

• layout, measure and mark dimensions and reference lines on sheet metal according to drawings or templates
• use laser or plasma cutting equipment, hand and power shears, snips and light metal-working equipment to cut, drill or punch, bend and shape sheet metal
• fasten with bolts, screws, cement, rivets, adhesives, solder or by welding
• install and repair sheet metal products and ensure installations conform to specifications and building codes
• do metal cladding of insulated piping and equipment on industrial sites
• manufacture and install flashing, coping for roofing applications and supply.
• install, service and repair on air handling equipment, furnaces, fans, air terminal devices and split system air conditioners.
• install any gas appliance 400,000 BTU’s and smaller such as furnaces, hot water tanks, barbeques, stoves and garage heaters.

Learn to layout, assemble, fabricate, maintain and repair piping systems which carry water, steam, chemicals or fuel used in heating, cooling, lubricating and other processes.

To install a typical piping system in a commercial building or industrial plant, you will study blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine the type of pipe and tools to use and layout the sequence of tasks.

During your career, you will sometimes make detailed sketches for pipe and equipment fabrication and installation. You will measure, cut, thread, groove, bend, assemble and install metal, plastic and fibreglass pipes, valves and fittings, join pipe sections, and related equipment and secure in position and use testing equipment to check systems for leaks.

You may also remove and replace worn components, do general maintenance work and may work on plant shut-downs.

Sprinkler Fitters are pipefitting specialists in the fire protection industry.

Learn how to install, repair, and maintain all types of fixed extinguishing systems, including underground piping. On a typical construction job, you’ll install a new fire suppression system in a new building. This means you will:

• locate and mark the positions for connections and fixtures
• cut holes through walls and floors to accommodate pipes
• select the type and size of pipe required and measure, cut, thread, bend, clamp, solvent cement or solder pipe
• assemble and install valves and fittings
• join pipe sections and secure them in position
• test pipe systems for leaks

If enough solar energy is collected, whole homes and businesses can operate independently without any energy coming from the national grid. As a solar energy technician, you’ll be helping them to have clean power every day of the year that is pollution free and causes no greenhouse gases to be emitted after installation.

This role includes:

Assessing locations to make sure they are suitable for solar panels

• Measuring up areas for installation
• Producing reports and designs of recommended solutions
• Installing and maintaining solar panels
• Making adjustments to building surfaces to make sure panels fit and are adequately supported
• Connecting solar panels to an electrical system
• Checking wiring
• Interacting with customers

Learn how to install, alter, repair and maintain electrical systems designed to provide heat, light, power, control, signal or fire alarms for all types of buildings, structures and premises.

On the job, you’ll begin by reading and interpreting electrical, mechanical and architectural drawings, specifications and applicable code to determine wiring layouts. Next, you’ll cut, thread, bend, assemble and install conduits and other types of electrical conductor enclosures, pull wire through conduits and holes in walls and floors as well as position, maintain and install distribution and control equipment such as switches, relays, circuit breaker panels and fuse enclosures.

You’ll also install, replace, maintain and repair electrical systems. You’ll form circuits by splicing, joining and connecting wire before testing the circuits to ensure integrity and safety.

You may specialize in renewable energy – such as wind and solar – and fire alarm systems. During your career, you may be able to work in specific industries including:

• residential (housing developments)
• commercial (office buildings)
• institutional (hospitals, schools)
• industrial (plants and factories).

Learn to install, maintain and repair the measuring and control devices used in industrial and commercial processing. 

You’ll work with a wide variety of pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer devices used to measure and control pressure, flow, temperature, level, motion, force, and chemical composition. 
Throughout your career, you’ll consult manufacturers’ manuals to determine test and maintenance procedures as well as use pneumatic, electrical and electronic testing devices to inspect and test instrument and system operation and diagnose faults. 

You’ll practice loss management principles, consult with and advise process operators, repair, maintain and adjust system components or remove and replace defective parts, conduct risk assessments, calibrate and maintain components and instruments according to manufacturers’ specifications, work with engineers on basic designs, install and maintain instruments on new or existing plant equipment and processes and interpret and use appropriate CSA, ISA and API installation standards and practices.