Plumbing Helper
To complete the Plumbing Helper Workforce Training Certificate, you must complete the following courses:
- TEC-9300 Construction Trades Core Skills
- TEC-9860 Plumbing I, Part 1
- TEC-9870 Plumbing I, Part 2
Plumbing
Plumbing is one of the skilled trades that are in demand in the construction and maintenance industry.
Plumbing adds comfort, convenience, and sanitation to our modern lives. Water supply is an essential requirement in all homes and buildings. Plumbing is the art of making the water supply system work efficiently. Plumbers are trained in the installation of piping systems and fixing malfunctioning systems. They are specially trained to repair a range of piping systems including water, gas, waste, disposal, etc. They perform their work in residential complexes, commercial buildings and public places. In addition, they are educated to install a variety of plumbing fixtures including sinks, bathtubs, toilets, showers, etc.
Workforce Training Certificates
Plumbing Technician
After completion of the Plumbing Helper Workforce Training Certificate, you may continue your studies of the trade with our Plumbing Technician Workforce Training Certificate.
To complete this Workforce Training Certificate, you must complete the following courses:
- TEC-9880 Plumbing II, Part 1
- TEC-9890 Plumbing II, Part 2
- TEC-9900 Plumbing III, Part 1
- TEC-9910 Plumbing III, Part 2
- TEC-9920 Plumbing IV, Part 1
- TEC-9930 Plumbing IV, Part 2
Browse Our Courses
Imagine the pride of looking at a finished building and knowing that you helped build it. The construction trades can be a rewarding, fulfilling career that will continue to be in demand. Whether your goal is to be a carpenter, HVAC technician, electrician, job supervisor, or contractor, there are certain skills that are common to all of the trades. In this course you will explore those skills. The students will discuss basic construction site safety, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), OSHA policies, and the causes of accidents. The use of construction math will be reviewed. Hands-on instruction in the proper and safe use of hand and power tools will be given along with an introduction to construction drawings (blueprints). Basic employability and communication issues will also be discussed, such as critical thinking, problem solving skills, self-presentation, sexual harassment, stress, and substance abuse. An E-book is included in the cost of this course. Mandatory book fee included and required for all students in the program.
This course must be completed before starting any of the following continuing education certificates.
- Carpentry Helper
- Electrical Helper
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Helper
- Plumbing Helper
Students enrolled in this introductory course will be introduced to the plumbing profession. There will be written and performance based assessments on basic tools, plumbing materials, plumbing math, safety, hand tools, and power tools. During this course students will measure, cut, and install plastic piping systems. Textbook required and can be purchased at www.csmcollegestore.com.
Prerequisite: TEC-9300 Construction Trades Core Skills - General
This course continues instruction from TEC-9860 Plumbing Level One, Part I. During this course students will receive instruction about and will participate in laboratory exercises for sinks, lavatories, faucets, bathtubs, showers, toilets, urinals, bidets, fountains and water coolers. Textbook required and can be purchased at www.csmcollegestore.com.
Prerequisite: TEC-9860 Plumbing Level I, Part 1
The Rolling Offsets are not a hip, new, rock and roll band. They are just one of many skillsets that you will learn in Plumbing II, Part 1 to navigate piping through framing and other obstacles as you hone your plumbing skills. This course builds on concepts and skills learned in Plumbing I. Topics include: plumbing math; reading commercial drawings; structural penetrations, insulation, and fire-stopping; installing and testing DWV piping; installing roof, floor, and area drains. Lab exercises emphasize proper safety equipment and procedures. Textbook required and can be purchased at www.csmcollegestore.com.
Prerequisite: TEC-9870 Plumbing I, Part 2
Have you ever heard of water hammer? It is the banging sound that occurs in pipes when water is shut off suddenly. In Plumbing II, Part 2, learn how to prevent this and other plumbing issues while learning proper installation techniques. This course builds on knowledge and skills learned in Plumbing II, Part 1. Topics include: installing and testing water supply piping, types of valves, installing fixtures and valves, installing water heaters, basic electricity, fuel gas and fuel oil systems. Lab exercises emphasize proper safety equipment and procedures. Textbook required and can be purchased at www.csmcollegestore.com.
Prerequisite: TEC-9880 Plumbing II, Part 1
The EPA has taken action against municipal sewer systems in violation of the Clean Water Act, reducing pollution and contaminants discharged into public waterways. Plumbers face the challenge of providing potable water and disposing of waste/storm water properly. This course builds on concepts and skills learned in Plumbing II, Part 2. Topics include: applied math, sizing and protecting the water supply system, potable water supply treatment, types of venting, and sizing DWV and storm systems. Lab exercises emphasize proper safety equipment and procedures Textbook required and can be purchased at www.csmcollegestore.com.
Prerequisite: TEC-9890 Plumbing II, Part 2
The EPA has taken action against municipal sewer systems in violation of the Clean Water Act, reducing pollution and contaminants discharged into public waterways. Plumbers face the challenge of providing potable water and disposing of waste/storm water properly. This course builds on concepts and skills learned in Plumbing II, Part 2. Topics include: applied math, sizing and protecting the water supply system, potable water supply treatment, types of venting, and sizing DWV and storm systems. Lab exercises emphasize proper safety equipment and procedures Textbook required and can be purchased at www.csmcollegestore.com.
Prerequisite: TEC-9900 Plumbing III, Part 1
The National Center for Construction Education and Research states that "work gets done most efficiently if workers are divided into crews with a common purpose." In Plumbing IV, Part 1, you will learn the skills necessary to be an effective leader as well as plan and schedule work for a crew. Other topics include: water pressure booster and recirculation systems, indirect and special waste, hydronic and solar heating systems, and codes. Lab exercises emphasize proper safety equipment and procedures. Textbook required and can be purchased at www.csmcollegestore.com.
Prerequisite: TEC-9910 Plumbing III, Part 2
Plumbers, like other service professionals, accrue a vast radius of service miles, traveling from location to location, installing and maintaining multi-faceted systems. In this culminating Plumbing IV, Part 2 course, topics include: private water supply well systems, private waste disposal systems, swimming pools and hot tubs, plumbing for mobile homes and travel trailer parks, introduction to medical gas and vacuum systems. Lab exercises emphasize proper safety equipment and procedures. Textbook required and can be purchased at www.csmcollegestore.com.
Prerequisite: TEC-9920 Plumbing IV, Part 1
Important Note Regarding Apprenticeship
If your goal—either currently or in the future—is to obtain a journey-level license, you will first need to participate in an approved apprenticeship. There are two critically important requirements of the apprenticeship agreement that you should be aware of, to prevent difficulties in achieving your license.
First, the apprenticeship agreement consists of Related Technical Instruction (RTI) and On-the-Job Training (OJT). Most apprenticeships require at least 2000 total hours of OJT and at least 600 total hours of RTI.
CSM provides RTI; each semester-long course provides 75 hours of RTI. For example, Electricity I, Part 1 is 75 hours, and Electricity I, Part 2 is 75 hours. You’ll receive 150 hours of RTI for successfully completing these two courses. CSM courses do not fulfill the On-the-Job Training requirement of your apprenticeship.
Second, your apprenticeship must have a sponsor, and your sponsor must be approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council before you can begin your apprenticeship. MATC is a division of Maryland’s Department of Labor. This requirement is essential to ensure that your OJT hours are documented properly.
You may choose an existing, registered apprenticeship program, such as ABC-Chesapeake Shores (ABC) or Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC); CSM has working relationships with both of these apprenticeship programs.
As an alternative, you can potentially complete your apprenticeship with your employer as your sponsor. However, your employer cannot sponsor your apprenticeship until it submits the required paperwork to register as a Maryland Apprenticeship Training Program (MATP) and is recognized as an approved Apprenticeship Sponsor.
Do not begin working for this employer until your employer has been approved by MATC.
Employers may contact the Office of Apprenticeship: info@mdapprenticeship.com
If you would like to begin an apprenticeship with a program or employer, but you aren’t sure if that sponsor is registered and approved, contact MATP at info@mdapprenticeship.com to verify their status before beginning an apprenticeship with them.
For more information on apprenticeship, visit www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/appr/.