Plumbing & Heating
Engineering, Construction and Trades Academy
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Trades & Transportation Pathway
Program Description
The Plumbing and Heating career major provides students with firsthand knowledge of the science and application of this high-demand trade. In the coming years, the need for plumbers and pipefitters is expected to outpace the supply of workers trained in this demanding but rewarding field.
In Plumbing and Heating, students gain hands-on experience with installation and repair of water, waste, gas, and heating systems in both residential homes and commercial buildings. Students are trained in the correct safety procedures in a shop and working environment, and participate in both in-school and out-of-school OSHA-certified construction projects. They become competent at sizing, cutting, and assembling different piping materials.
Students may be grated a maximum of the first three (of five) tiers of formal plumbing instruction to qualify to take the state license exam. This time includes 330 hours of educational theory; students may also accrue a maximum of 1,700 hours of practical/work experience.
Plumbing is a licensed trade requiring not only highly technical knowledge and skill, but also a thorough understanding of the Massachusetts State Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code. To be a successful plumber, a person should be in good physical health, have good math and mechanical aptitude, be willing to work on new construction, renovation projects, and be able to work in a neat, professional manner.
The program is aligned to the state curriculum standards found in the Massachusetts Frameworks for Plumbing.
Course Content
- Plumbing Safety Practices
- Hand/Power Tools
- Power Tools
- Safety & Installation Practices
- Materials, Tools & Joining
- Methods used in Plumbing
- Valves & Devices used in Plumbing
- Plumbing Terminology
- Drainage
- Building Sanitary Waste & Venting Systems
- Allowable Materials & Approval Procedures
- Plumbing Traps
- Cleanouts
- Plumbing Code
- Blueprint Reading
- Portable Water Supply
- Gas Fitting
- Water Supply
- Testing & Safety
- Storm Drains
- Gas Code
- Fixture Installation
- Sustainability & Green Technologies
Career Tree: Plumbing & Heating
Plumbing and Heating Instructors
Charles Bruno
Instructor-Plumbing
Kyle Romano
Instructor-Plumbing
Industry Certifications
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
- Can earn up to 330 hours of the required 550 related theory hours and 1,700 hours of the 6,800 hours of practical required by The State Board of Plumbers and Gas Fitters in order to be eligible to sit for the Journeyman’s exam.
Possible Career Pathways
- Apprentice Plumber
- Business Owner
- Construction Management
- Journeyman Plumber
- Master Plumber
- Plumbing Engineer
- Plumbing Inspector
- Plumbing Supervisor
Salary
Massachusetts averages:
- Apprentice: $25.05/hour or $58,614/year
- Journeyman: $37.04/hour or $74,090/year
- Master: $90,000/year or higher
National average:
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: $28,79/hour or $59,880/year
Sources: Indeed.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
(Updated 1/1/23)
Employers Hiring Minuteman Graduates
- Dan-Cel Plumbing
- Akian Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning
- Atlantic Heating and Air Conditioning
- Barrell Plumbing & Heating
- Basnett Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling
- Chase Plumbing Co., Inc.
Joseph G. Perry Plumbing - Kirkland & Shaw Plumbing & Heating
- T.F. Fallon Plumbing & Heating
College Partners
- Central Maine Community College
- New England Institute of Technology
Advisory Committee Partners
- Atlantic Heating and Air Conditioning
- Barrell Plumbing & Heating
- Dan-Cel Plumbing
- Local 12 Plumbers' Union