Mechanical Techniques - Plumbing

The Mechanical Techniques - Plumbing is a one-year, two-term Ontario College Certificate program that covers the Level I in-school curriculum for the Plumbing Apprenticeship. Graduates will have an understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the plumbing trade and become familiar with the associated tools and materials in accordance with industry safety standards and the Ontario Plumbing Code. In addition to vocational training, students will take courses in the areas of communication, mathematics and teamwork skills.

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Admission Requirements

O.S.S.D. or equivalent, with:

Grade 12 English C or U

Mature Student Assessment for this program is available in the subject of English for the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in this required admission subject. For all other admission requirements, applicants must complete the required course(s) as listed above. For more information, please contact counselling@lambtoncollege.ca. Review the Mature Student Admission process.

Academic admission requirements can be obtained through Academic Upgrading and the Pre-Technology & Trades (PTEC) program at Lambton College.

Technology Requirements

In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, Lambton College recommends that each student have access to a laptop while studying at our college.

Course List

PLU-1002: Plumbing Codes and Prints I

Students will learn how to produce isometric drawings to scale using industry standard practices, procedures and tools. The course will provide a sound foundation to enable students to produce orthographic drawings, and interpret drainage, waste and vent construction trade drawings and job specifications.

PLU-1013: Plumbing Theory I

This course will introduce students to the tools, materials, equipment, methods, and current regulations as they relate to the design and construction of piping systems in the plumbing field. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify and select common plumbing piping materials as they would be used in field practice.

PLU-1023: Applied Plumbing Techniques I

Students will be introduced to a variety of both hand tools and power tools. Students will be expected to safely demonstrate the ability to identify, select and use the tools to construct piping and construction projects using a variety of materials.

PLU-1033: Workplace Safety for Plumbing

This course will focus on the fundamental concepts of the Occupational Health and Safety Act with specific reference to federal and provincial legislation. It will introduce safe working habits and procedures in accordance with applicable safety standards. Leaners will identify and recognize workplace responsibilities, health issues, hazard concerns, controls, and WHMIS. Particular attention will be given to Personal protective equipment, excavation and shoring and the ability to demonstrate ladder/ scaffold safety. Hoisting and rigging will also be studied.

PLU-1043: Solder, Brazing, and Oxy Fuel Techniques

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate the ability to identify oxy-fuel cutting and welding equipment and accessories; including the construction, operation, assembly and disassembly. The student will also be able to identify weld faults and control distortion within oxy-fuel welding. They will be able to lay beads, tack, and weld butt joints with filler rod in the flat position using OFW. The student will finish the course learning to identify, select, and assemble copper pipe fittings using brazing.

MTH-1303: Estimating and Calculating I

This course will develop the student's understanding of trade calculations and the ability to apply them to carpentry related problems. A student in this course reviews basic arithmetic using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; converts metric and imperial measurement; solves triangles using ratios and trigonometry; and defines and applies the properties of various geometric shapes.

COM-1113: Workplace Communications

This course focuses on skills required in any organization or position: writing business documents, responding to realistic scenarios, and speaking in an organized and vibrant manner. Students will practice professional communications skills by producing, revising, and editing short business documents and engaging in verbal interactions and presentations.

PLU-2003: Plumbing Code and Prints II

This course is a continuation of the basic level instruction in code and prints and will introduce you to the Ontario Building Code relating to Plumbing theory. Students will use the current Regulation to recognize, describe, size, and analyze drain, waste, and vent installations, and apply your learning to plumbing layouts in the field.

PLU-2013: Plumbing Theory II

This course will give you the ability to design and install a three-piece washroom group with a hot water tank installation. You will be using various plumbing materials and techniques to complete a number of projects typical in a residential structure. You will become familiar with the safe operation of a number of pieces of equipment and tooling commonly found in a plumbing application

PLU-2024: Applied Plumbing Techniques II

PLU-2043: Metal Cutting and Welding

In this course, you will learn general safety practices and operating principles of oxy-acetylene and arc welding, as well as brazing and cutting. This course focuses on hands-on applications and project work in the welding shop while learning the theoretical aspects of welding and metal cutting for plumbers.

ITS-1013: Information Technology Skills for Technology

Current and effective use of Information Technology Skills (ITS) is a requirement for all working professionals. ITS-1013 is a blended learning course designed to acquaint students with Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint software as well as the fundamentals of file-management when using the Microsoft Windows operating system. Different browsers, practical Internet research tools and the Lambton College email program are also studied. This course is delivered using practical hands-on applications and comprises additional online skills assessment and training tools purposefully designed to provide flexibility in learning. Greater emphasis is placed on Microsoft Excel than Word and PowerPoint as the course aligns more closely to technology studies. This course further prepares students to apply these technological skills as they continue and expand in their technology program areas of study.

JSS-1001: Job Search and Success

This course is designed to give the student an understanding of how to conduct a job search and how to succeed in the work place. This includes self-reflection, effectively designing a cover letter and resume, online job searches utilizing social media, behavioural based interviewing as well as marketing oneself effectively in a job interview. Job safety, successful work strategies and harassment and discrimination plan of action is also discussed.

GED-XXX3: General Education Elective

Program Maps

Current Students

Current students can view program maps from previous years on the mylambton website.

You will need to login with your C# and password in order to access your program map.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates from this program are excellent candidates for apprenticeships in mechanical trades such as Plumbing or Steamfitting. Plumbers frequently hold other certifications such as HVAC and 313A refrigeration mechanics, or they can work towards certification through TSSA as gas technicians as the work across these trades is related. They will have the capabilities to work in a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial construction settings including renovation projects. They will also have the required skills to work in a warehouse or wholesale business in the plumbing field.