Why earn your Plumbing and Piping Technician certificate?
The Fraser Valley and B.C.’s Lower Mainland continue to be fast-growing regions, with commercial and residential construction booming. The demand for well-trained apprentices has never been so high. To meet market demand and industry expectation, UFV is introducing this new program, which is perfect for people looking for a challenging, busy, and well-paying career.

Why earn your Plumbing and Piping Technician certificate at UFV?
As with all of UFV’s Trades & Technology programs, our Plumbing and Piping program is hands-on. While there are plenty of classroom sessions, you will also be physically working on pipes and plumbing scenarios in our shop.  As much as possible, study and lab instruction is patterned after “on-the-job” situations where a limited amount of direct supervision is required. Your training will follow a module system that begins by developing a wide variety of basic skills. You will build on these and develop intermediate and specialized skills required today in the busy plumbing and piping industry.

What exactly will I learn?
Sample topics:

• Describe and use safe work practices
• Interpret drawings, specifications,and code
• Use tools related to the piping industry
• Use pipes, valves, and fittings
• Install drain, waste, and vent systems
• Use rigging
• Use soldering and brazing
• Use oxy-acetylene welding and burning
• Use arc welding
• Install water systems and components
• Perform pipe bending and fabrication
• Describe fire protection systems
• Describe hydronic heating and cooling systems
• Install fixtures and appliances
• Describe gas and supply systems
• Describe pumps and recirculation equipment

The Plumbing & Piping program starts in September and ends in May.  Students must show that they understand the theory by successfully completing a written test for each unit.  They must then apply their knowledge to demonstrate an acceptable level of practical skills as assigned in that unit.  The learning material may include printed handouts, worksheets, DVD's, display boards, lab manuals and written instructions.

At regular stages, students will be required to perform various tasks in order to develop their practical skills.  As much as possible, student and lab instruction is patterned like "on-the-job" situations where a limited amount of direct supervision is required.  The training follows a modular system that begins by developing a wide variety of basic skills, and builds on these to develop immediate and specialized skills required in this industry.  All unit tests and assigned practicals must be completed with a passing grade before writing and performing the final assignment scheduled in May.

I’m not yet working in the plumbing industry. Will this program get me there?
Absolutely. With UFV’s entry-level training, we put you in the driver’s seat towards your career goal in the plumbing and building industries. The Plumbing and Piping program will prepare you for entry into this growing and in-demand industry. While in the program, you’ll get a systematic introduction to the trade and thorough hands-on opportunities to develop the skills expected by today’s employers.

How much will it cost?
Expect to pay program fees of about $115.01 per week; this covers tuition plus 10% of the tuition for ancillary fees.

As a Plumbing and Piping Technician student, you should also budget about $500 for your basic hand tools, $850 for required textbooks, and $200 for your working apparel. We require a deposit (currently $200) to be paid when you register, which typically takes place one or two months before the start of each semester.
 
The balance of your fees must be paid by the second week of the semester. In addition, each semester (fall, winter, and summer) you will be required to pay a $30 Student Union Society membership fee, a $35 SUS capital fee, $4.50 Cascade student newspaper fee, a $3 per semester radio station fee and a $40 U-Pass fee.

A Health and Dental fee ($160 for 2008/09) is charged annually each fall semester to students to provide extended medical and dental insurance. You can check with the Student Union Society or at www.studentcare.net/works for details.

It’s also worth a visit to the UFV financial aid and awards office, which facilitates the disbursement each year of approximately $12 million in federal and provincial student loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, and awards to UFV students.

A helpful budget planning worksheet is available online at www.ufv.ca/fineaid/budget

Anything else I need to know?
This can be a physically demanding career and that’s why a medical certificate from a qualified physician may be required at any time before or during the program. We’ll notify you if or when a certificate is required. You must be there continuously through all three semesters to successfully complete all requirements for the program. You are expected to attend classes five days per week for the duration of the entire program. If you fail to meet the attendance requirements as outlined in the program guides, you might be subject to a failing grade or academic warning. It’s also expected that you complete all requirements  with a minimum of 70 per cent or better to receive a Credit (CR) grade in order to graduate.

Sounds good. What do I need to get in?
You’ll need your B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent and must pass a math and reading comprehension entrance exam.

I’m interested. What do I do next?
Check out UFV’s online calendar at www.ufv.ca/calendar. Read the Plumbing and Piping Technician program description and information carefully. Next, you can download an application form and submit it, along with the $45 application fee, to any UFV Admissions and Records office. You can also transmit it through the internet at www.pas.bc.ca. If you’re currently in Grade 12, you can apply now, but we require a statement from your school counsellor or principal indicating that you are likely to meet graduation requirements by June, and this must be presented at the time of your entrance exam appointment.

You will be notified of your entrance exam date by the Trades & Technology Centre and there is no fee for writing this exam. If you have not been contacted within two weeks of submitting your application, please call us at 604-847-5450. Before classes start, you’ll be called and given all the registration procedures. If we can’t reach you after three  attempts, you’ll be removed from the waitlist.

When should I apply?
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space.

Where will my classes be located?
UFV’s Plumbing and Piping Technician program is delivered at the Trades & Technology Centre at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack. It is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to  Friday. Class and shops are in session from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. those days. UFV’s Trades &  Technology Centre is the university’s first facility to open in Chilliwack’s Canada  Education Park, a 200-acre education and research park situated along the historic Vedder River on what was once Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack.

Can I speak with someone about my options?
Yes! We want to hear from you! If you’re unsure of your direction, contact Student Services at 1-888-504-7441, ext. 4528 to arrange a tour, attend a "Becoming a Student" info session, connect with an educational advisor, or arrange for career counselling. You can also contact the Trades  & Technology centre directly at 604-847-5448, or 1-888-504-7441, ext.5448, or email trades@ufv.ca to get more details.