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Trades and Technology
ufv.ca/trades

Plumbing and Piping certificate

Entry-level trades training

At UFV, we can put students on top of the construction boom, which is expected to continue into the future. Students will be well prepared for entry-level positions in the vast field of water and waste control management.

Theory and shop procedures are set up to simulate job conditions, so punctuality and good work habits are essential. This program ladders into the B.C. apprenticeship system, following the National Occupational Analysis.

Concurrent studies option

UFV allows high school students to complete this program through a concurrent studies model during their grade 12 year. For more information, contact your disctrict/school career counsellor. You may also contact the UFV Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or email trades@ufv.ca.

Employment opportunities

After successfully completing the program, students will be prepared for employment opportunities in areas such as plumbing and heating companies; residential and commercial installations such as hospitals; schools; hotels; multi-family homes; and municipal water and sanitation departments.

Entrance requirements

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.

2. Successful completion of a trade math and reading comprehension entrance exam.

When to apply

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply

1. Submit a UFV application form, along with the $45 application fee, to the Office of the Registrar. You can apply online or download an application form at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply. Application forms are also available from any OReg or Student Services office. Applicants currently in Grade 12 may apply during their Grade 12 year. A statement from the school counsellor or principal, indicating that you are likely to meet graduation requirements by June, must be presented at the time of entrance exam appointments.

2. Applicants will be notified of entrance exam dates by the Trades & Technology Centre. There is no fee for writing these exams. Applicants who have not been contacted within two weeks of submission of their applications should call 604-847-5448.

3. Read the program description and information carefully. If you require more information, please contact the Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or trades@ufv.ca.

4. Prior to classes starting in September, applicants will be notified by telephone of the registration procedures. Applicants who cannot be reached by telephone after three attempts will be removed from the wait list.

Fees and other expenses

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Plumbing and Piping students should also budget approximately $850 for required textbooks, $500 for basic tools, and $200 for appropriate working apparel.

Note: A deposit (currently $200) must be paid at the time of registration, which typically takes place one or two months before the start of each semester. The balance of fees must be paid by the second week of the semester.

Medical requirement

A medical statement from a qualified physician may be required at any time before or during the program. Students will be notified by a UFV official if/when the statement is required.

Location

The Plumbing and Piping program is offered in the Trades & Technology Centre at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack, which is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Classes are in session 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dates and attendance requirements

The Plumbing and Piping program starts in September and ends in May.

The Plumbing and Piping program requires continuous attendance through all seven courses to successfully complete all requirements for the program. Students will be expected to attend all scheduled classes per week for the duration of the entire program.

Students who fail to meet the attendance requirements as outlined in their individual program guides may be subject to withdrawal from the program.

See UFV's Academic Warning policy (79) and Attendance policy (62).

Program requirements

Students must complete all courses of the program with a minimum of 70% or better to receive a Credit (CR) grade in order to graduate.

Students who do not receive a Credit (CR) grade in all required courses by the end of the program may apply to the trades office for re-entry into the program the following year. It will be up to the discretion of the instructor and classroom space for the student to return to the program. Students who reapply may register as upgrading students and must complete all program requirements no later than May of the following year. See upgrading policy for more details.

Graduation

Students must apply for graduation by completing a Request to Graduate form. We recommend this be done at the beginning of the final semester.

Academic warnings

Trades & Technology students who demonstrate unacceptable academic performance will be placed on Academic Warning. See UFV's Academic Warning policy (79).

Unacceptable academic performance may, at the discretion of the instructor, include poor attendance, slow progress in theory and practical tasks, and/or lack of satisfactory participation in class activities. See UFV's Attendance policy (62).

Trades & Technology students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner, and will be held responsible for their actions, whether acting alone or in group. See UFV's Student Academic Misconduct policy (70) and Student Non-Academic Misconduct policy (204).

Withdrawal policy

Student-initiated withdrawal (discontinuing)

If a student wishes not to continue or return for the next semester, the Trades Centre will advise Admissions & Records and initiate a withdrawal from the student’s current Trades program.

Required to withdraw (failed grades)

Failure of any prerequisite course will result in withdrawal from the program.

Required to withdraw (academic warning)

Students may be required to withdraw from a course or program for failing to comply with any of the following UFV policies: Academic Warning policy (79), Attendance policy (62), Student Academic Misconduct policy (70), Student Non-Academic Misconduct policy (204).

Upgrading policy

The upgrading program allows those currently or recently employed in the industry to complete their certificate requirements or to become proficient in specific processes or techniques.

An upgrading student will be enrolled for no more than 13 weeks. Upgrading students will not displace anyone registered in the next intake.

Upgrading students are expected to meet program prerequisites through previous enrolment or proof of industry experience approved by the program instructor.

Re-admission policy

Students who begin a Trades program, but withdraw before completing the program, may contact the department to request re-entry provided their absence is less than two years. Re-entry is subject to space availability.

If you are absent more than two years, you will be required to apply for re-admission.
• An application for admission form and application fee will be required
• Trades & Technology entrance exams will need to be retaken

Program outline

The Plumbing and Piping program starts in September and ends mid-May. Students must show that they understand the theory by successfully completing a written test for each course. They must then apply their knowledge to demonstrate an acceptable level of practical skills as assigned in that course. The learning materials may include handouts, worksheets, DVDs, 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, study and lab instruction is patterned after “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 intermediate and specialized skills required in this industry.

All prerequisite courses must be completed with a passing grade of 70% before performing the final assignment scheduled in May.

Program requirements

Note: Please see the course descriptions section for prerequisite information.

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