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PROGRAMS & COURSES

We offer four different apprenticeship programs.  Learn more below to choose a trade that best suits you. 

The Plumber protects the health and safety of the community by providing clean water to buildings and the proper removal of wastewater. Our plumbers cover the entire process of installing plumbing systems in new build commercial buildings, from the installation of underground piping to the fixtures.

The Steamfitter protects our environment by properly installing piping and equipment for complex heating/air conditioning and special industrial piping systems for semiconductors, biotechnology, and power generation.

The HVACR Service Technician is not only responsible for our comfort and indoor air quality, but HVACR equipment is integral in many industries such as manufacturing, tech, R&D and food. They maintain, repair and ensure the energy efficiency of a variety of equipment from small package units to large boxcar units.

The Residential Plumber protects the health and safety of the community through the proper installation of water and waste piping in residential dwellings. Our residential plumbers work on new build residences such as single-family homes, condominiums, apartment buildings or townhouses.

PLUMBING

The Plumber protects the health and safety of the community by providing clean water to buildings and the proper removal of wastewater. Our plumbers cover the entire process of installing plumbing systems in new build commercial buildings, from the installation of underground piping to the fixtures.

The Plumbing Apprenticeship Program is five years.  Each year consisting of 1760 hours of structured on-the job training under the direct supervision of a journeylevel worker.  This is paired with classroom instruction.  Plumbing apprentices attend class two nights a week, two semesters a year for the duration of the five years.  In their classes, apprentices are taught science, theory and practical application of the trade. They also learn to install all piping and plumbing fixtures in accordance with local plumbing codes and Board of Health requirements. 

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At the end of the five year training period, after all classroom and on-the-job requirements have been met,  the apprentice is granted journeylevel status and awarded a completion certificate from the State of California. Apprenticeship classes may be applied toward an Associate Degree from Foothill College.

As an apprentice at the Pipe Trades Training Center, you will join UA Local 393 Plumbers, Steamfitters, and HVACR Service Technicians of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.  Additionally, you will become a part of the parent union, then United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA). The United Association represents approximately 374,000 piping professionals throughout North America.  

PLUMBING COURSES

Our curriculum starts with fundamental concepts and then builds upon this base each year to further develop our apprentices' skills.  Because apprenticeship programs are industry driven, as new technology is being utilized in the field, we regularly update our curriculum to integrate these new concepts into the classroom. 

  • Basic Plumbing Skills
  • Applied & Related Theory 
  • Beginning Drawing & Design 
  • Rigging & Layout 
  • Industrial Safety
  • Plumbing Fixtures
  • Plumbing Code
  • Advanced Trade Math
  • Water Systems 
  • Applied Welding
  • Advanced Drawing & Blueprint Reading 
  • Industrial Installations 
  • Medical Gas Installation 
  • Elective
  • Review & Turnout

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STEAMFITTING

The Steamfitter protects our environment by properly installing piping and equipment for complex heating/air conditioning and special industrial piping systems for semiconductors, biotechnology, and power generation. 

The Steamfitting Apprenticeship Program is five years.  Each year consisting of 1760 hours of structured on-the job training under the direct supervision of a journeylevel worker.  This is paired with classroom instruction.  Steamfitting apprentices attend class two nights a week, two semesters a year for the duration of the five years.  In their classes, apprentices are taught science, theory and practical application of the trade. 

​

At the end of the five year training period, after all classroom and on-the-job requirements have been met,  the apprentice is granted journeylevel status and awarded a completion certificate from the State of California. Apprenticeship classes may be applied toward an Associate Degree from Foothill College.

As an apprentice at the Pipe Trades Training Center, you will join UA Local 393 Plumbers, Steamfitters, and HVACR Service Technicians of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.  Additionally, you will become a part of the parent union, then United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA). The United Association represents approximately 374,000 piping professionals throughout North America.  

STEAMFITTING COURSES

Our curriculum starts with fundamental concepts and then builds upon this base each year to further develop our apprentices' skills.  Because apprenticeship programs are industry driven, as new technology is being utilized in the field, we regularly update our curriculum to integrate these new concepts into the classroom. 

  • Basic Steamfitting Skills
  • Related Math, Drawing & Rigging
  • Beginning Fit-Up, Cutting & Welding
  • Steamfitting, Cutting & Welding
  • Steamfitter Science; Elect & Air Cond
  • Industrial Safety
  • Advanced Trade Math for Steamfitters
  • Steam Technology
  • Hydronic Systems
  • Industrial Rigging
  • Advanced Drawing & Blueprint Reading
  • Industrial Installations 
  • Medical Gas Installation 
  • Elective
  • Review & Turnout

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HVACR

The HVACR Service Technician is not only responsible for our comfort and indoor air quality, but HVACR equipment is integral in many industries such as manufacturing, tech, R&D and food. They maintain, repair and ensure the energy efficiency of a variety of equipment from small package units to large boxcar units.

The HVACR Apprenticeship Program is five years.  Each year consisting of 1760 hours of structured on-the job training under the direct supervision of a journeylevel worker.  This is paired with classroom instruction.  HVACR apprentices attend class two nights a week, two semesters a year for the duration of the five years.  In their classes, apprentices are taught science, theory and practical application of the trade. 

​

At the end of the five year training period, after all classroom and on-the-job requirements have been met,  the apprentice is granted journeylevel status and awarded a completion certificate from the State of California. Apprenticeship classes may be applied toward an Associate Degree from Foothill College.

As an apprentice at the Pipe Trades Training Center, you will join UA Local 393 Plumbers, Steamfitters, and HVACR Service Technicians of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.  Additionally, you will become a part of the parent union, then United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA). The United Association represents approximately 374,000 piping professionals throughout North America.  

HVACR COURSES

Our curriculum starts with fundamental concepts and then builds upon this base each year to further develop our apprentices' skills.  Because apprenticeship programs are industry driven, as new technology is being utilized in the field, we regularly update our curriculum to integrate these new concepts into the classroom. 

  • Basic Refrigeration Service Skills
  • Basic Electricity & Refrigeration Skills
  • Mechanical Systems
  • Electrical Controls Fundamentals
  • Advanced Electric Controls
  • HVAC Pneumatic Electric Control Systems
  • Industrial Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Service
  • Advanced Refrigeration & Chillers
  • Start, Test & Balance
  • HVACR Systems
  • Review & Turnout

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RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING

The Residential Plumber protects the health and safety of the community through the proper installation of water and waste piping in residential dwellings. Our residential plumbers work on new build residences such as single-family homes, condominiums, apartment buildings or townhouses.

The Residential Plumbing Apprenticeship Program is four years.  Each year consisting of 1760 hours of structured on-the job training under the direct supervision of a journeylevel worker.  This is paired with classroom instruction.  Residential Plumbing apprentices attend class one night a week, two semesters a year for the duration of the four years.  In their classes, apprentices are taught plumbing code, science, theory, and practical application of the trade. They also learn to install all piping and plumbing fixtures in accordance with local plumbing codes and Board of Health requirements. 

​

At the end of the four year training period, after all classroom and on-the-job requirements have been met, the apprentice is granted journeylevel status and awarded a completion certificate from the State of California. Apprenticeship classes may be applied toward an Associate Degree from Foothill College.

As an apprentice at the Pipe Trades Training Center, you will join UA Local 393 Plumbers, Steamfitters, and HVACR Service Technicians of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.  Additionally, you will become a part of the parent union, then United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA). The United Association represents approximately 374,000 piping professionals throughout North America.  

RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING COURSES

Our curriculum starts with fundamental concepts and then builds upon this base each year to further develop our apprentices' skills.  Because apprenticeship programs are industry driven, as new technology is being utilized in the field, we regularly update our curriculum to integrate these new concepts into the classroom. 

  • Intro to Residential Plumbing; Safety; Tools
  • Residential Drainage Systems
  • Residential Gas & Water Installations 
  • Mathematics for Residential Plumbers
  • Residential Blueprint Reading 
  • Residential Piping Layout & Installation
  • Residential Plumbing Codes
  • Residential Gas Installations: Service Work

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FOUND YOUR TRADE?

Unsure what trade is for you? Sign up for an Information Session to learn more about each trade. 

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