Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship

Plumb the depth of success and gain valuable hands-on skills and industry knowledge to kickstart your plumbing career.

The Mitchell Chuoke Jr. Plumbing Certificate is a pre-apprenticeship program and will provide individuals with the entry-level knowledge and skills to pursue an industry apprenticeship. This 80-hour program will cover residential and commercial aspects of the plumbing trade, emphasizing safety no cost to the student. The program is generously funded by the Mitchell Chuoke Jr. Endowment but does require an application. Apply to the program now.

Upon completion of the pre-apprenticeship at COM, two pathways are available for consideration for students pursuing a career in the plumbing industry. Both union and non-union plumbing apprenticeships offer a combination of classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and 4,000 hours of required field experience to sit for the Tradesman Exam with the Texas State Board of Plumbing examiners. The 80-hour pre-apprenticeship training from COM will provide an advantage for all applicants.

Program Details

Learning Format

Face to Face

Program Length

10 weeks

Free Tuition

Cost of tuition for this program is free.

Request Info

Let’s Connect!

409-933-8415
ContEd@com.edu

Career Insights

Occupational summary for Mitchell Chuoke Jr. Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship

43,300 Annual Job Openings
(2023-2033)

6% Projected Growth
(2023-2033)

$62,970 yr Median Salary / $30.27 hr

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Young lady in a lab setting mixing chemicals.

Your Journey Begins Here

Additional Program Info

Program Outcomes

Upon successfully completing the Pluming Pre-Apprenticeship Program, students will earn a Certificate of Completion.

Understand Plumbing Systems – Learn the fundamentals of water supply, drainage, waste, and vent systems used in residential and commercial buildings.

Read and Interpret Blueprints – Analyze plumbing drawings, schematics, and building codes to plan and execute installations.

Install and Repair Piping Systems – Work with materials such as PVC, copper, PEX, and cast iron to assemble and maintain plumbing systems.

Apply Safety Standards – Follow OSHA regulations and industry best practices to ensure job site safety and proper tool handling.

Use Plumbing Tools and Equipment – Operate hand and power tools such as pipe cutters, wrenches, threaders, and torches effectively.

Perform Basic Pipefitting and Welding – Apply techniques for cutting, joining, and securing pipes in various plumbing applications.

Understand Plumbing Codes and Regulations – Comply with local, state, and national plumbing codes to ensure proper system function and safety.

Troubleshoot Plumbing Issues – Diagnose and repair leaks, clogs, and other common plumbing problems.

Course Sequence

Course Name: Plumbing Codes 1 Course Number: PFPB-1023: State and local plumbing codes and applying potable water, wastewater, and gas systems in residential and light commercial settings. End-of-Course Outcomes: Identify, differentiate, and explain the sections of the state and local building codes pertaining to plumbing; and describe essential public health and safety related to plumbing systems.
Course Name: Residential Construction Plumbing 1 Course Number: PFPB-2009: Skill development in the procedures and techniques a plumber employs in the rough-in and top-out stages of a new home or the remodeling of an older home. End-of-Course Outcomes: Rough-in drain, waste, and vent pipes; install domestic water lines; install gas lines; and set control valves.
Course Name: Commercial Plumbing 1 Course Number: PFPB-1019: Skills, procedures, and techniques for installing hot and cold potable water supply systems and drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems in commercial buildings. End-of-Course Outcomes: Discuss safety requirements; define commercial plumbing terms; identify equipment and tools used in DWV and water systems; layout and install a DWV and water supply systems.
Course Name: Introduction to Pipefitting Course Number: PFPB-1007: Instruction in pipefitting hand and power tools, ladder and scaffold safety motorized equipment, and underground pipe installation. End-of-Course Outcomes: Demonstrate the use and care of pipefitting hand and power tools and various motorized equipment; outline underground pipe installation; recognize types of soil; and demonstrate proper use and care of ladders and scaffolds.
Course Name: Backflow Prevention Course Number: PFPB-1047: Principles, practices, and regulations of backflow. Includes backpressure, public health, laws and responsibilities, mechanics and use of backflow devices, and equipment testing used in backflow devices. End-of-Course Outcomes: Use terminology related to backflow prevention; identify the dangers of contamination of potable water systems; and install, test, and maintain backflow devices.
Course Name: Industrial Mathematics Course Number: TECM-1001: This course teaches math skills applicable to industrial occupations. It includes fraction and decimal manipulation, measurement, percentages and problem-solving techniques for equations and ratio/proportion applications.
Course Name: OSHA 10: The OSHA 10-Hour Construction course covers a broad spectrum of valuable health and safety workplace topics that will familiarize you with OSHA Construction standards. These topics will include the OSHA Construction Focus Four, identifying common worksite hazards, tool operation (hand and power), introduction to OSHA, fall protection, electrocution hazards, struck-by hazards, caught-in hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE), health hazards, and material handling.
Course Name: Job Search & Employment Skills Course Number: POFT-1006: Preparation for career success, including ethics, interpersonal relations, professional attire, and advancement.

Steps to Admission

The Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship requires a program application. Mitchell Chuoke Jr. Plumbing Certificate Program Application

For information, please contact the Continuing Education Department at ContEd@com.edu or call 409-933-8415.