Pipefitting Technology

Effective: Fall 2023
Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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This apprenticeship program map for the 2024-2025 catalog year provides an overview of the required courses.You must be accepted into the apprenticeship by the Program Sponsor.

Apprenticeship Programs at Chabot College are an excellent way to earn a certificate and/or an associate degree while also gaining real-world, paid work experience in the occupation. The requirements and expectations vary depending on the apprenticeship program. Classes also vary by program, with some offered in person, online or off-campus.

I'm ready to get started.What do I do next?

  1. Apply to be an apprentice for the program you are interested in www.chabotcollege.edu / academics / apprenticeship
  2. Meet with a Chabot College counselor to review and plan general education courses (for associate degree programs only) www.chabotcollege.edu / counseling
Program Description

Pipefitters install, maintain, and repair many different types of piping used in buildings, factories, and utilities. These systems are used to heat and cool buildings, carry water, provide gas and generate electricity. Pipefitters work from blueprints or drawings and perform such tasks as measuring, marking, cutting, and threading pipe to connect pipe systems.

The Associated Builders and Contractors San Diego (ABCSD) Apprenticeship program is a state and federally recognized construction training program. Apprenticeship Career and Technical Education (CTE) combines paid on-the-job training and work experience with formal classroom instruction. Apprentices are employed by a company where they receive hands-on training, and attend classes in the evening to study theory and participate in hands-on technical training.


What can I do with this major?

All Apprentices start off with an hourly wage (based on the prevailing wage in the county in which the work is performed) and in some cases, a fringe benefit package and the wages increase based on advancement within the program. Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, the graduate may be employed at the journey level by contractors. The median California wage for exiting students is $80,401 (2022 LMI data), and the median hour wage for plumbers/pipefitters is $37 (Bay Area 2022 LMI data).


Learning and Career Pathway

    Icon Key

    = Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

    PLPF 9795 is a work experience course that may be taken each term for the apprentice to receive credit for working.

    Semester 1

    3 units

    PLPF 9701
    Introduction to Plumbing I

    3 units
    This course is designed to give the plumbing/pipefitting student introductory information regarding OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) standards of safety and precautions for working on the construction site; a review of math as it relates to plumbing, hand and power tool usage, basic plumbing blueprint reading, welding and basic rigging. This course is designed for students planning a career in the plumbing/pipefitting trade. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice.
    Course Details:

    Semester 2

    3 units

    PLPF 9702
    Introduction to Plumbing II

    3 units
    This course is designed to give the plumbing/pipefitting student an introduction to reading and interpreting the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAMPO) uniform plumbing codes and residential plumbing drawings, identifying various types of pipe and the procedures for working with the pipe. This course also includes identification of various plumbing lines and their components. This course is designed for students planning a career in the plumbing trade. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice.
    Course Details:

    Semester 3

    4 units

    PLPF 9703
    Intermediate Plumbing I

    3 units
    This course is designed to give the plumbing/pipefitting student an introduction to reading and interpreting the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAMPO) uniform plumbing codes and residential plumbing drawings, identifying various types of pipe and the procedures for working with the pipe. This course also includes identification of various plumbing lines and their components. This course is designed for students planning a career in the plumbing trade. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice.
    Course Details:

    PLPF 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Plumbing/Pipefitting

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 4

    4 units

    PLPF 9704
    Intermediate Plumbing II

    3 units
    This course is designed to give the intermediate plumbing/pipefitting student the ability to perform testing of water supply piping and systems, installation of the components of a water supply system, and the ability to read and interpret commercial plumbing drawings for project requirements according to local and national codes. The application of advanced trade math concepts is further developed. This course is designed for students planning a career in the plumbing trade. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice
    Course Details:

    PLPF 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Plumbing/Pipefitting

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 5

    4 units

    PLPF 9705
    Advanced Plumbing I

    3 units
    This course is designed to provide the advanced pipefitting/pipefitting student with the ability to perform applications of advanced math for plumbers and methods of handling waste. This course also provides information relating to water softening measures, methods of locating buried lines, the installation and maintenance of waste pressure booster systems, and the prevention of backflow. This course is designed for students planning a career in the plumbing/pipefitting trade. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice.
    Course Details:

    PLPF 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Plumbing/Pipefitting

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 6

    4 units

    PLPF 9706
    Advanced Plumbing II

    3 units
    This course is designed to provide the advanced plumbing/pipefitting student with the ability to organize job tasks, clean and disinfect potable water systems, thaw frozen pipes, and install main to meter water services and solar systems. This course also covers the ability to rough-in fixtures for residential, commercial and handicapped settings and install natural gas. This course is designed for students planning a career in the plumbing/pipefitting trade. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice.
    Course Details:

    PLPF 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Plumbing/Pipefitting

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 7

    4 units

    PLPF 9735
    Pipefitting Construction Specialties I

    3 units
    This course is designed to give the pipefitting student instruction in pipe hangers and supports, identifying and installing valves, field routing and vessel trim, spring can supports. Emphasis is placed on planning work activities and performing non-destructive examination testing. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice.
    Course Details:

    PLPF 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Plumbing/Pipefitting

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 8

    4 units

    PLPF 9740
    Pipefitting Construction Specialties II

    3 units
    This course is designed to give the Pipefitting student instruction in advanced pipe fabrication, aligning pipe to rotating equipment, steam traps, in-line specialties, special piping, hot taps and maintaining valves. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice.
    Course Details:

    PLPF 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Plumbing/Pipefitting

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 9

    4 units

    PLPF 9745
    Pipefitting Construction Specialties III

    3 units
    This course is designed to give the Pipefitting student an introduction to advanced rigging practices, installation of couplings, mechanical seals, and conventional alignment and laser alignment. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice.
    Course Details:

    PLPF 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Plumbing/Pipefitting

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 10

    4 units

    PLPF 9750
    Pipefitting Construction Specialties IV

    3 units
    This course is designed to give the Pipefitting student an introduction to steam systems, high-pressure systems, heaters, furnaces, heat exchangers, cooling towers and fin fans. Hydrostatic and pneumatic testing, basic hydraulic systems, troubleshooting and repairing hydraulic systems. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice.
    Course Details:

    PLPF 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Plumbing/Pipefitting

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:
    Total Units: 38 units
    This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.