Are you interested in a career in plumbing? Or perhaps you’re already working as a plumber and looking to brush up on your skills. Either way, there are some great online courses available that can help you learn everything you need to know about plumbing.
In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at the best online plumbing courses currently available. We’ll discuss what each course covers, who it’s aimed at, and what makes it stand out from the rest. So without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Ashworth College
Our first choice is Ashworth college which is a great choice for anyone who is looking for a good plumbing program. The classes are all planned and executed by professionals who are still in the business which is highly coveted.
You will be able to gain all the theoretical and practical knowledge required to get the job done efficiently. They are proud of offering a course that will set you up for a successful career.
The program itself is designed in such a way that you have flexibility and convenience in terms of accessing it and learning. This is for individuals who are busy and need to make adjustments to finish their education. You will need to make those adjustments for about four months which is the duration of the course.
This course from Ashworth College is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission or DEAC which is a bonus. Not that it matters but the campus is in Norcross, Georgia.
Now, this is not a free course but it is affordable and is value for money. You also have the option of making monthly payments in case you can’t get it done in one go. In fact, if you can pay the full amount at once and upfront, you will even get a good discount.
The acceptance into the college is through an open entrance process. You will need to enroll by filling out an application online and you can start the classes right away. Your coursework will cover topics like:
- Introduction to construction technology
- Tools and Fixtures
- Safety
- Preparing to Install Plumbing Systems
- Technical Aspects of Plumbing
After you finish the program and graduate, you’ll be able to handle different kinds of materials used on the job and also be proficient in basic concepts, including safety on the site.
You will learn about how to get the job done in commercial as well as residential setups with the ability to handle complex systems by setting up fixtures of all kinds.
2. Penn Foster Career School
This school has a training program that is great for those who want to get an online diploma. You will need to finish the course in six months, which is longer than what Ashworth offers.
That is because this particular course gives you the skills to get the job done but along with that, it also prepares you to be able to start your own business ventures in the industry.
This course is also highly rated and recommended because apart from all the other stellar aspects, it has a thumbs up from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DECA). The campus is located in Scranton in Pennsylvania.
This particular course is well-known for its high-quality education, but it is also famous for its affordability. The tuition plan is considered quite a low cost and you don’t have to pay any interest at all.
The acceptance into this course is also through open admissions. You need to be at least 17 years old to apply for it and you must have education till the 8th grade too. If you meet those criteria, you can go ahead and enroll in it.
The coursework involves teaching topics like:
- Introduction to building trades
- Math for plumbing
- Modern plumbing
- Plumbing and pipefitting tools
Here’s the brilliant outcome of taking this course. Once you have graduated, you will be able to use plumbing tools effectively. Now, that’s expected. But you will also be able to read the blueprints of buildings like a pro.
They also teach you industry basics which will help you set yourself up for success. You will also learn about regulations and plumbing codes, which are an essential part of getting the job done.
You will be able to do service work, installation of fixtures and pipes well. Since there is math for plumbing class, you will get very good at measuring things and making useful estimates. These are only a few benefits of this course. It is definitely highly recommended.
3. Plumber’s Training Institute (PTI)
Our third choice is also a good one for those who want a good online plumbing school. This one is considered to give you a lot more than an average trade school and isn’t that what you are looking for? There is more than one course to cover the different specializations that individuals hoping to enter the industry are looking for.
The courses are designed in the form of tiers with a total of 5 tiers. This means you will need to move up to gain more expertise in each of the specializations. You will get live online classes in each tier with one of the founders doing some classes for specialized hands-on experience.
Now, there is a different prep course for every state in the US because the rules and regulations do change to a certain extent based on the area where you work. So, that’s a huge advantage.
You will also like this course if you want a lot of material that will strengthen your knowledge of the core concepts of plumbing. You can never compromise on that if you are serious about a career in plumbing.
Each of the courses offered by PTI comes in different formats to help you learn about them the way you will best be able to. You have to admit, that’s very helpful and will keep you engaged till the end. That includes:
- Textbook reading
- Practicing practical problems
- Watching a series of videos that are in HD with an instructor on your screen
- Licensing experts who will play the role of support staff
- A free exam guide to prep for the state test
- Meetings where you will be prepped about on-site safety mechanisms
- 24 x 7 access on demand
- Smartphone friendly course
These are all great features when it comes to taking the test and maybe even acing it. But what about how you need to move in the practical world which starts with becoming a journeyman plumber?
Well, PTI does not really do much to help you with that which is why it is ranked third on our list. But they will help you get through the state exam which is mandatory to get a license and start practicing.
Now, the advantage of this course is that you can gain enough information about working as a plumber in different states without spending a great deal of money on multiple courses. But the downside is that you won’t gain expertise, you will just get really good at the basics.
The academy is in Massachusetts and was founded by individuals who wanted to create a course for those who are looking to kickstart a life in gas fittings and plumbing.
In terms of payment, you can either do this in one installment or break it down into two payments (one half at a time). You will also need to sign a contract before you enroll in the first tier of the class. To take this course, you will need a laptop and a webcam with a mic and speakers.
Some Essential Information
There are a couple of things you should know before you sign up for a course so that you can make an informed decision about your future. Here’s that information.
Internships
This is a job in which practical experience is very important. But you don’t have to necessarily fret about internships because you can get a job as a helper for a licensed plumber.
That is an advantage over an internship because you get paid while working and get experience as an employee instead of an intern. That will help you when you are applying for a license or aiming to be the lead plumber in the near future.
Required Qualities
It is hard to describe what makes a good plumber when you are looking beyond technical expertise. But here are some qualities you must aim to build.
- Very good customer service
- Excellent communication skills
- Licenses and certification
- Problem-solving skills
- Very good coordination
- Physically in excellent health
- Prioritize safety
Can you learn plumbing online?
You can learn just about anything online these days, and plumbing is no exception. There are a number of different online courses available that can teach you everything you need to know about plumbing. However, you will still need in-person training to become a licensed plumber.
What Are a Plumber’s Primary Responsibilities?
There is a range of essential skills you need to master to be able to work as a plumber in any state in the US. This starts with your ability to troubleshoot and work with problems related to water as you would expect.
You will need to know how to work with steam and gas lines so that you can handle them safely and repair them well. Plumbers are also expected by the state to know about plumbing regulations and codes that they must adhere to. Reading blueprints and creating estimates is another big part of the job.
And then you move on to the next level which is installation. This includes handling fixtures, water pipes, sewe lines. You are also expected to be able to know all about the stopping and unstopping of sewer lines.
Is an Online Program Good Enough to Pass the State Test?
This is a question a lot of individuals have because of the lack of trust in online programs. If you want to be a practicing plumber, the good news is that there are a lot of online programs that you can depend on to pass the test. And the three colleges named above are good case studies in that aspect.
There are a few more that offer these certification programs or diplomas but these are highly sought after because of the quality of education they offer. Online programs are also sought after because a lot of people need to be able to make a living while gathering the credentials to be a professional plumber.
Another advantage of online programs is that they are a good choice for high school graduates who don’t want to do a full-time four-year program with a college for whatever reason.
That is why a lot of these programs are designed to be done in a matter of 4-6 months. This way, you can start going to work and make some money without having to do a college degree for the next four years.
Is There a Huge Demand for Plumbers in the US?
There isn’t much doubt that the profession is seeing an upside at the moment. In fact, it has been that way for a few years in case you thought it was a fad.
That rise is helped by the fact that existing structures are looking at technicians with special skills in the installation process and new projects are always coming up. And there is never a shortage in demand for those who can do repairs efficiently.
What Is the Payscale of a Plumber Like?
A: This is a very important question but the answer is a little tricky because it depends on more than a couple of factors. But here’s what you can expect.
A plumber, steamfitter or pipefitter’s annual median salary is expected to be about $55,160 according to the BLS and this is just according to their May 2019 calculations. If you are in this industry and are among the top 10 percent earners, you can expect more than $97,170 per annum.
Obviously, it is not going to be that way in the beginning but the more years you spend on the job, you have more experience to show and the pay takes steady hikes. Also, you will be doing full-time work but you can expect some overtime jobs over the weekend of after-hours.
The Bottom Line
As you now know, there are a few good options if you want to get a relatively quick but good plumbing degree. You want to be sure that the course you are applying for is reliable and will get you a good start, especially in this competitive job market.
Any of the three options given to you in this piece will help you achieve exactly that. And if you play your cards right, you might even exceed your own expectations. Good luck.
Online courses have gotten a lot better than they were a few years back. If you are looking for one of those courses that will not take too much time but prepare you for the state licensing exam, we have some information that you will appreciate. Let’s get to work.