Plumber

Plumbers install, alter and repair the systems that keep our water and waste disposal systems running, and that provide many of the basic amenities we rely on day-to-day. They also install specialized systems such as medical gas, process piping, compressed air, water conditioners, fuel piping, sewage and water treatment, and storage and flow equipment. They read and interpret blueprints and project specifications. Plumbers also select the type and size of pipe required for a project and measure, shape and join pipes according to the appropriate specifications. They sometimes alter structures to accommodate the pipes.

Plumber is a nationally designated trade under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.


Explore job expectations, education requirements, salary and more:WorkBC Career Profile

Recommendations

The following education is recommended: Grade 12 or equivalent preferred, including English 12; Algebra 11 or Trade Math 11; Physics 11 or Science & Tech 11.

 

The Apprenticeship Program comprises Levels 1-to-4 of progressive technical training, with each Level taking 7-8 weeks (210-240 hours) to complete. In addition, apprentices are required to accumulate 6,300 hours of work-based training.

 

A Foundation Program can jump-start your career without employer sponsorship by supplying the knowledge and skills to enter directly at Level 2, after 21 weeks of training (refer to SkilledTradesBC for alternative paths into the occupation).

PROGRAM TYPES

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Jan 06 2025Jul 04 2025

Piping Foundation (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

North Island College

Comox Valley

Feb 03 2025Jul 17 2025

Plumbing & Piping Foundation (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Feb 03 2025Jul 24 2025

Plumbing and Piping Trades

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Feb 03 2025Aug 01 2025

Piping Foundation (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Kwantlen Polytechnic Univ.

Cloverdale

Feb 03 2025Jul 25 2025

Plumbing/Piping (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Kwantlen Polytechnic Univ.

Off Campus

Feb 10 2025Jul 04 2025

Plumbing/Piping (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Mar 31 2025Sep 26 2025

Piping Foundation (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Apr 01 2025Oct 24 2025

Plumber, Steamfitter, Sprinklerfitter combined (HL)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

May 05 2025Oct 31 2025

Piping Foundation (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Jul 07 2025Jan 30 2026

Plumber, Steamfitter, Sprinklerfitter combined (HL)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Jul 28 2025Jan 29 2026

Plumbing and Piping Trades

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

Vernon, BC

Jul 28 2025Jan 29 2026

Plumbing and Piping Trades

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

College of New Caledonia

Prince George - Main Campus

Aug 25 2025Jan 30 2026

Piping Trades

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Aug 25 2025Jan 30 2026

Plumbing and Piping Foundation

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Kwantlen Polytechnic Univ.

Cloverdale

Aug 25 2025Feb 27 2026

Plumbing/Piping (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Northern Lights College

Dawson Creek

Sep 02 2025Jan 30 2026

Piping Trades Foundation

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Univ. of the Fraser Valley

Trades and Technology Centre (CEP)

Sep 02 2025Mar 06 2026

Plumbing

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Sep 22 2025Apr 02 2026

Piping Foundation (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Nov 03 2025May 29 2026

Plumber, Steamfitter, Sprinklerfitter combined (HL)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Nov 03 2025May 15 2026

Piping Foundation (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Jan 05 2026Jul 03 2026

Piping Foundation (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

College of New Caledonia

Burns Lake

Feb 02 2026Jun 26 2026

Piping Trades

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

North Island College

Comox Valley

Feb 02 2026Jul 17 2026

Plumbing & Piping Foundation (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Feb 02 2026Jul 23 2026

Plumbing and Piping Trades

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Feb 02 2026Jul 31 2026

Piping Foundation (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Kwantlen Polytechnic Univ.

Cloverdale

Feb 02 2026Jul 24 2026

Plumbing/Piping (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Feb 23 2026Sep 18 2026

Plumber, Steamfitter, Sprinklerfitter combined (HL)