You are washing dishes at the kitchen sink when suddenly you notice that there is a big puddle under the sink.
You notice that it keeps getting bigger every time you run the water or drain something.
You call a plumber to help find where the leak is coming from and then fix the leak.
Most plumbers have some sort of training, whether it comes from an educational training program or as an apprentice on the job.
Read on to find out about the schools in Miami, FL that offer plumbing programs.
1 Plumbing Contractors Association
About the School
Formerly known as the Plumbing Industry Program, the Plumbing Contractors Association was put together by a group of individuals in 1952.
One of the objectives of the Plumbing Contractors Association is to promote safety standards and practices for the good and safety of the industry as well as the public.
Another of the objectives of the program is to encourage and promote education for current and future workers in the plumbing industry.
This is not necessarily a school, but it does have an educational program in place for plumbing.
Courses Offered
There are different sections and courses that the Plumbing Contractors Association offers through its program.
They have continuing education courses that are approved by the state of Florida and Miami-Dade County.
The approved courses for Florida include:
- Workers Compensation
- Safety on the Job
- Cross Connection – Backflow
- PEx Water Supply Plumbing System
- Florida Statues 489 Laws and Rules
- MultiPurpose PEx Residential Fire
- Understanding the Federal Lead-Free Law
- Avoiding the FLSA Minefield
- Understanding The Davis Bacon
- Code and Standards Regarding Water Hygiene
- Disinfection of Water Distribution
- Proposed ASHRAE Standard 188p as it relates to Water Quality and Minimizing Microbial Growth
- Title Understanding Condensing Tankless
- Understanding Water Treatment and the Impact it can have on your Business
Address: 7204 SW 48th St, Miami, FL, 33155
2 South Florida Institute of Technology
About the School
South Florida Institute of Technology provides education and training that helps students succeed in their careers.
Students come from all over at different stages in their lives, and the South Florida Institute of Technology strives to support the diversity that comes with it.
South Florida Institute of Technology was founded in 1997 and has two locations in Miami.
The school offers many programs, including computer business applications, computer graphics and web design, building construction technology, medical assistant, and much more.
Courses Offered
South Florida Institute of Technology has a plumbing technician program that allows the students to gain the skills and knowledge needed for the plumbing field.
Some of the things the program covers include:
- Administration
- Communications
- Business
- Plumbing knowledge
- Fixtures and Faucets
- Water Supply Systems
- Water Heating
- Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems
- System Sizing
- Gas and Troubleshooting
- Computer Drafting
- Blue Print and Specifications
- Safety and Regulation
The plumbing program at the South Florida Institute of Knowledge lasts three terms, which is about 63 weeks.
Address: 720 NW 27 ave 2nd Floor, Miami, FL, 33125
3 Miami Lakes Educational Center & Technical College
About the School
There are several programs available at Miami Lakes Educational Center & Technical College.
Training programs are considered open-entry and open-exit.
This means that students can enroll in classes at anytime as long as there are openings in the class.
Students are also able to complete the program at their own rate and pace.
Courses Offered
The plumbing course for Miami Lakes Education Center teaches students how to read construction documents, understand building codes related to pipe trade, and plumbing layout and installation.
The courses that are included in this course include:
- Helper, Plumber, Pipefitter
- Residential Plumber
- Commercial Plumber
- Plumbing Applications
The total length of the plumbing program takes approximately 18 months or 1080 hours to complete.
The number of months depends on whether the student is enrolled full-time or part-time.
Address: 5780 NW 185th Street, Miami Lakes, FL, 33014
4 Plumbers 519 Joint Apprentice & Educational Committee
About the School
This one isn’t necessarily a school, but they do have an apprenticeship program for plumbing.
The Plumbers 519 Joint Apprentice & Educational Committee is made up of instructors who are certified through the Miami-Dade Public School system.
They have gone through extensive training and have had several years of experience in their field.
The Educational Committee was founded in 1939, making this apprenticeship program the oldest in the state of Florida.
Their mission is to provide the highest level of skill possible with structured training in the piping industry.
Courses Offered
Plumbers 519 Joint Apprentice & Educational Committee offers an extensive program that takes about 5 years to complete.
This program is divided into 1-year segments with 1800 hours on the job and 248 hours in the classroom each year.
To qualify for the program, students must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and agree with the apprenticeship standards that are approved by the United States Department of Labor.
The plumbing program consists of the following courses and training:
- How to read and interpret plans
- How to design and draft building blueprints
- Welding and torch cutting
- Layout
- Copper soldering and brazing
- Rigging safety and technique
- Crane signaling and communication
- Electrical safety and comprehension
- Building code analysis and interpretation
- Medical gas installer/brazing certification
- Foreman training
- Plumbing service and repair
- CPR, first aid, and other life-saving skills
- Labor History
- Water distribution
- Piping layout
- OSHA 10-hour/30 hour
- Water piping systems
- Estimating and project management
- Chemical analysis and water purification
Classes take place 2 nights a week for 4 hours each night from September through May.
Address: 14105 NW 58 CT, Miami Lakes, FL, 33014
Schools Summary Table
Rank | School | |
---|---|---|
#1 | Plumbing Contractors Association | |
#2 | South Florida Institute of Technology | |
#3 | Miami Lakes Educational Center & Technical College | |
#4 | Plumbers 519 Joint Apprentice & Educational Committee |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Plumber