Important Work: Plumber Jobs
Thursday, October 8th, 2009A plumber’s job is a vital part of our society. With new construction being done every day, plumbers are in high demand. A plumber’s job description entails a variety of tasks, so training is essential and the requirements are high in order to become licensed as a plumber.
Training
Training for a plumber’s job requires education in the classroom as well as on the job training. It is difficult to learn all the skills required and situations that might be faced in the real world from a seat in a classroom. Online courses are valuable assets for the class work part of the training, since it gives the student flexibility to work in the field and gain those apprenticeship hours, while still moving forward with the class work required to complete the training.
The level of training depends on the level that the plumber wants to achieve. Every plumber has to start as an apprentice. In order to apply for a Tradesman license, which is granted through each state according to their rules and regulations, an apprentice must have completed the course work and also a minimum of four thousand hours working under a Master plumber in the field. All hours have to be verified according to the requirements of the state. That means that an apprentice plumber must have worked full time for one hundred weeks, or almost two years before being able to take the exam for the Tradesman license.
Certain plumber jobs require an even higher level of training, such as a Journeyman or Master plumber. In order to take the exam for Journeyman licensing, the plumber has to have completed at least eight thousand hours under a Master plumber, which is nearing four years of working in the field before being ready for that kind of licensing. Master plumbing licenses require a plumber to have worked in the field for one year as a Journeyman before being allowed to take the exam.
In the apprenticeship, plumbers learn all that they need for plumbing jobs that they will experience in the field when they are licensed. They learn how to handle and cut pipes, tubing, and fittings. They make calculations so that the right amounts of materials are used. They read building plans and wiring plans so that the jobs can be done safely and effectively. They learn to trouble shoot and work with dish washers, washers, toilets and other plumbing appliances. In addition, they learn customer service and also how to direct less experienced workers.