A plumbing apprenticeship blends hands-on training with in-class education, qualifying you for a plumbing license. Curtis McGrath, an experienced plumber at Mr Rooter Plumbing of Ottawa, explains, “It’s the pathway to becoming licensed. In Canada, you’re not allowed to work on someone else’s plumbing unless you’re a licensed plumber or a registered apprentice. That’s the purpose of the apprenticeship.”
This journey involves a combination of practical experience and classroom learning, totaling around 9,000 hours - roughly five years. Most of this time is spent gaining real-world experience at job sites under the guidance of skilled plumbers, with about 720 hours dedicated to technical training in the classroom.
Greg Hughes, a 10-year plumbing expert, adds, “The process not only equips you with technical expertise but also develops crucial skills like customer service and problem-solving, which are essential for success.”
Eligibility Requirements to Begin a Plumbing Apprenticeship in Ottawa
Before embarking on your apprenticeship, you’ll need to meet these key criteria:
Minimum Age
You must be at least 16 years old.
Work Authorization
You need legal permission to work in Canada.
Educational Background
Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent. If not, you may need to pass an entrance exam.
Employer Sponsorship
Securing a licensed plumber or employer to sponsor your apprenticeship is vital, as you will gain on-the-job experience by working with them.
Pre-Apprenticeship Program vs. Finding an Employer First: Which Is Better?
Aspiring plumbing apprentices often face the dilemma of where to begin—should they enroll in a pre-apprenticeship program or find an employer first? The answer ultimately depends on personal choice.
“If you can secure an employer right away, that’s the ideal path,” said Curtis McGrath. However, for those who struggle to find an employer, a pre-apprenticeship program can be a great stepping stone, helping you acquire fundamental skills and making you more appealing to potential employers.
Typically lasting about a year, pre-apprenticeship programs cover essential topics like plumbing systems, tool usage, safety protocols, and more. It’s a fantastic choice for those looking to build a strong foundation before committing to a full apprenticeship. As Jeremy La Salle, a former apprentice and now an experienced plumber with Mr. Rooter, shared, “I completed the pre-apprenticeship program at La Cite, which helped me land my first employer.”
Greg Hughes offers a different perspective, emphasizing that the choice depends on your learning style and preferred start point. He added, “If you complete a pre-apprenticeship program, it exempts you from the Basic course once you’re a registered apprentice.”
3 Stages of Plumbing Apprenticeship in Ontario
Basic Level
Each apprentice begins their journey under the guidance of a licensed journeyperson, acquiring vital skills such as pipe installation, tool usage, and safety practices. This period also marks the start of logging the 9,000 hours required to achieve full licensing.
Once you’ve gained some practical experience, you’ll move on to Basic schooling, which lasts about two months. During this phase, you’ll dive into:
- Ontario plumbing codes
- Residential plumbing basics
- Workplace safety
- Blueprint reading
Upon completing that milestone, you’ll advance to the intermediate level, continuing your journey with hands-on experience and training.
Intermediate Level
Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to take on more complex tasks, like working with water supply systems, drainage, and commercial buildings. When you get your invite for Intermediate schooling (approximately 2 months), you’ll dive into:
- Advanced residential and commercial plumbing
- Hydronic heating basics
- Ontario Building Code applications
Upon successfully passing the school-administered written and practical exams, you'll graduate to the advanced section of the training, along with a wage boost to 60% of a journeyperson’s pay.
Advanced Level
By now, you're handling system design, troubleshooting, and potentially honing your skills in specialized areas like well or septic systems. The government will issue a final invitation for Advanced schooling, a two-month program where you'll delve into:
- The Canadian Plumbing Code (not just Ontario’s anymore!)
- Project management and estimating
- Backflow prevention and specialty systems
- Red Seal exam preparation
If you pass the final test, you’ll earn the title of "journeyperson-in-waiting" and enjoy a wage increase of 80% of a journeyperson’s pay.
What to Expect on the Job?
Once you join the apprenticeship program, you'll spend significant time gaining hands-on experience. In the early stages, your tasks may focus on basics like digging trenches, cutting and fitting pipes, and supporting seasoned plumbers. As a beginner, you'll start as a laborer, but as your skills grow, you'll take on more challenging responsibilities, such as drain cleaning and installing fixtures.
Daily life as a plumbing apprentice is physically demanding. "Expect to be on your feet a lot, handling heavy materials, and working in confined spaces," Greg explained. There will be moments when the days feel endless, but it's essential to remember that this is part of the process - and there's always something new to learn.
One surprising aspect of the job for many apprentices is the level of customer interaction involved. "When I started, I didn’t realize how much of the job would be about communicating with customers," shared Ryan, a plumbing specialist at Mr. Rooter. For him, plumbing goes beyond repairing pipes - it’s also about helping customers understand the problem, its cause, and the solution.
Plumbing apprenticeship is more than just learning the job.
When people think of a plumbing apprenticeship, they often focus on the technical aspects - installing pipes, fixing leaks, or troubleshooting clogged drains. However, the most significant truth about a plumbing apprenticeship is that it goes far beyond just repairing things.
Joining a plumbing apprenticeship is about shaping the right mindset, cultivating vital life skills, and building experiences to prepare you for a challenging and dynamic plumbing career after earning your license. It’s not as simple as attending school, completing tasks, and meeting the government’s eligibility criteria.
“The start of the process is really tough,” Curtis shared. “At first, you’ll earn less than others and take on the most physically demanding work. But as you gain experience, you’ll move up, and the hard work will pay off in the end.” A solid foundation truly makes all the difference.
Take David, one of our past apprentices. He eventually joined a local firm near his home, but when he recently stopped by our office, he revealed something profound. David expressed deep gratitude for the training he received here at Mr Rooter Plumbing of Ottawa, especially from Greg and Ryan, two of our expert plumbers. At his new job, he noticed a stark difference - they prioritized speed over learning, adopting a “get in, get out” approach with no real investment in apprentices. There was little engagement or effort to foster understanding.
That’s when he realized just how special our training is.
From step-by-step procedures and written guides to videos and weekly training sessions, we’re committed to helping our apprentices grow. It’s like getting a new laptop preloaded with all the necessary software. Our apprentices don’t have to wait to acquire knowledge - they start fully equipped and ready to excel.
Even so, the journey to becoming a licensed plumber is never easy. Every accomplished plumber once started as a struggling apprentice, but with persistence and resilience, the hard work always pays off.
If you’ve chosen this path, embrace it wholeheartedly, refine your craft, and dedicate yourself to the process. Before long, you’ll be the go-to expert others rely on.
Ready to Launch Your Plumbing Career in Ottawa?
Join our apprenticeship program and learn directly from seasoned plumbers! With experienced mentors guiding your growth, we ensure you’re fully equipped to succeed in this dynamic field.
To learn more about our services, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Ottawa.
