Plumbers / Pipefitters

QUALIFICATIONS

A certificate, high school or General Educational Development (GED) or Plumbers / Pipefitters journeypersons‘ diploma, with or without an Associate Degree, requisite study and practice credit hours, and a practice License from an authorized body like the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), etc.; combined with – instruction based On the Job Training (OJT) programs, Apprenticeships, Plumbers / Pipefitters Workforce Job Training or Experience; covering plumbing and pipefitting work topics including reading blueprints & diagrams, plumbing, piping, building or maintaining – plumbing, taps, water supply, drainage, sewage, fuel, gas piping; and Hydronics – heating and cooling systems and water treatment systems, real-world plumbing and pipefitting applications, apparatus, tools and equipment, allied materials, and safety protocols.

AVERAGE HOURLY PAY
(Credits: www.payscale.com)

PROJECTED GROWTH
(Credits: www.bls.gov)

Plumbers / Pipefitters is a great career, in which employment is projected to grow at a steady 4 percent from 2019 to 2029.

SKILLS/ TRAITS NEEDED

Besides excellent plumbing and pipefitting skills, Plumbers / Pipefitters must have good hand-eye coordination, physical stamina, dexterity, depth perception, be self-motivated, self-organized, ability to read, understand and follow blueprints & diagrams, using safe work practices with endurance, dexterity, grip, extreme focus, and attention to detail; with the ability to work independently or as part of a team, ensuring timely work completion of their tasks in hand. They also must be professional, ethical, proactive, agile, and alert with a high degree of patience and perseverance; have the willingness to learn and adapt, with great listening communication, and interpersonal skills.

WORK FUNCTIONS

Plumbers / Pipefitters lay, build or maintain plumbing pipelines, taps, water supply, drainage, sewage, fuel, gas piping, and Hydronics i.e. heating and cooling systems and water treatment systems for residential, commercial, and manufacturing units; for the various plumbing and pipefitting applications, using appropriate tools and equipment, allied materials, and safety protocols. They also construct and fit structural components to create finished systems, inspect structural systems based on the local and state building codes, and troubleshoot, repair, and maintain malfunctioning systems. They may set up their own business and work independently, or work for the government, or private contractors and employers. They may sometimes be needed to work in shifts.