Build a career in the piping trades
The piping trades consist of plumbing, steamfitting, gas fitting and sprinklerfitting. When seeking a career choice it is critical that one looks at employability and diversity of the job and skills. These two factors keep you earning income for your needs and free of repetitive boredom.
Our programs
The Piping Foundation program prepares students for entry-level employment in the piping trades:
- Plumbing
- Steamfitting
- Gasfitting: Class A or Class B
- Sprinklerfitting
By experiencing all four trade specialties, students will be prepared to make an informed decision about which career path best suits them if they decide to pursue an apprenticeship.
Plumber work with domestic hot and cold water, drainage systems, and hydronic heating systems. Many plumbers hold gas tickets because of the widespread use of natural gas in British Columbia.
Steamfitter/Pipefitter install, alter, maintain, and repair piping systems that convey low and high pressure steam, hot water, air, fuel gases, fuel, and finely divided solids.
Gasfitters – Class A design, install, test, adjust, maintain and repair lines, appliances, burners, equipment and accessories in the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional sectors.
Gasfitters – Class B design, installs, repair and maintain gas fired appliances, equipment and distribution piping systems. Advances in modern appliance controls technology require gas fitters to develop strong electrical, computer and trouble shooting skills.
Sprinkler Fitter install, alter, and repair automatic, deluge, or open sprinklers; foam, fog, and carbon dioxide systems; wet or dry standpipes; inside first aid and hose pipe systems, private fire hydrant systems, fire pumps, and all related equipment.
Virtual Reality Walkthroughs
Take a 360° highlight tour of our Piping Department facilities.
Experience NowJeff Small President, Benchmark Mech. Ltd., BCIT Plumbing Graduate“Plumbing is a diversified and continuously changing field. BCIT’s shop is very well equipped with the latest technology, while excellent instructors provide the instruction. I received the skills I needed to open up my own business as a plumber and gas fitter. I recommend BCIT’s Plumbing program.”
Trevor Hildebrand President, Phase Mechanical“We hire BCIT grads because they’re qualified, skilled and properly trained. BCIT continuously enhances its program to keep ahead of the changing needs of our industry. We’re proud to be associated with this program.”
Jim MacGregor Field Superintendent, KLM Mechanical Systems Ltd.“KLM Mechanical Systems Ltd. has been using BCIT to help us hire new plumbing apprentices for approximately ten years. When we are looking to hire new apprentices, we always start at the BCIT Piping Foundation program. They have always been a great partner in staffing for our Company.”
Check it out
With our ability to liaise with government and industry officials we are able to bring you the training that is necessary for you to succeed at your desired goals. None is more prevalent or successful then our Piping Foundation program.
The Piping Department offer the following programs & courses:
- Piping Foundation – Piping Foundation program prepares students for entry level employment in the piping trades: plumbing, steamfitting, gasfitting, and sprinklerfitting.
- Gasfitter Apprenticeship – After completing this two year program a BC Certificate of Apprenticeship will be awarded.
- Plumber Apprenticeship – As a graduate Plumber Apprentice you qualify for the Interprovincial Red Seal, so your trade qualifications are recognized throughout Canada.
- Steamfitter Apprenticeship – Steamfitters primarily work industrial projects or manufacturing plants and again the Red Seal applies.
- Gasfitter Class A Apprenticeship – Distance Education
- Gasfitter Class B Apprenticeship – Distance Education
Part-time studies courses available:
- Cross Connection Control Certification
- Cross Connection Control Recertification
- Plumber Interprovincial Training – Distance Education
- Plumbing: Residential
Contact list for under enrolled courses
As a service to you, our prospective learners, we will notify you when one of the following courses are scheduled to run in the next part-time studies session.
Note, receiving notification will not guaranteed that your selected course will run. This notification will only inform that the course is being offered and it is up to you to go through BCIT’s admission and registration process.
BCIT and some outside agencies offer attending and prospective piping trades students many supportive funding opportunities. Whether through awards, bursaries or grants students may apply for financial aid. The links and examples below are to help you in your search of what is available. Due to the continuing efforts from many at BCIT these opportunities are continuously changing, from the recruitment of new donators, possible increases in dollar figures to increases in the number of awards offered by existing donors. With this in mind we recommend contacting the financial aid & awards advisors or the BCIT Foundation people if you have specific question to their offerings.
In addition to what BCIT has to offer, be sure to look into what is available through the various government agencies. For instance, did you know that trades persons have available to them a deduction for tools or that a Training Tax Credits for Apprentices can be obtained.
The first three examples come off the bcit entrance awards web page, then selecting the “Entrance Award Booklet”.
The BCIT Staff – High Tech, High Promise Capital Campaign Entrance Award
- One $1,000 award
- Any full-time BCIT Trades Credential program
- Application Deadline August
Pacific Foundation of Applied Technology Entrance Awards
- Two $1,500 awards
- All Foundation programs (previously known as “ELTT programs”)
Rick Sawatzky Memorial Entrance Award
- One $1,960 award
- Any full-time BCIT Trades Credential program
The next two are external awards, the list here is viewed by selecting the “General Awards”. This section is very extensive and close scrutiny is recommended.
BC Government and Service Employees Union
- One $2,000 and One $1,000
- Any Full-time and Part-time program
Columbia Foundation Scholarships
- Fourteen $1,000 scholarships
- Any full-time apprenticeship program
The final link is from the BCIT Foundation and their Donor Funded Awards [PDF 1MB].
Andrew Sheret Limited
- One $750 bursary
- Any Piping Foundation Student
Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating
- Two $500 bursaries
- One for a Gasfitting apprentice and one for either Plumbing or Steamfitting apprentice
American Society of Plumbing Engineers
- One $500 award
- One graduate of the Mechanical Systems Program, who has excelled in the Plumbing option
Note: Award numbers and amounts vary each year.
Emco Merit Award
For years the Emco Corporation have been a supporter to the BCIT Piping Department. Now they have gone one step further with their support by creating the Emco Merit Award. From every Piping Foundation class, one student at the end of their 26 week term will be presented with a $100.00 gift certificate for “Outstanding Performance during the Current Term”.
In addition to the eight gift certificates awarded annually, one of the awardees will be selected and Emco Corporation will pay their entire Level Two Apprenticeship tuition.
Recipients of the Emco Merit Award
Foundation class September 2018 – March 2019
Nigel Webb congratulating Joey Sadain
Foundation class August 2018 – February 2019
Tim Carson with Nick Lynd
Foundation class July 2018 – January 2019
Tim Carson congratulates Bryan Bumatay
Foundation class May 2018 – October 2018
Tim Carson with Dave Ross
Foundation class March 2018 – September 2018
Tim Carson congratulates Philip Breviere
Foundation class January 2018 – July 2018
Maurice Castillo, EMCO Design Services, congratulates Roger Mak
Foundation class November 2017 – May 2018
Maurice Castillo, EMCO Design Services, congratulates Vito Petrelli
Foundation class November 2017 – May 2018
Raj Samra, Coleson Hughes and Maurice Castillo, EMCO Design Services
Foundation class October 2017 – May 2018
Samy Tmar and David Kroerer
Foundation class May 2017 – November 2017
Tim Carson, Paul Nielson and Nigel Webb
Foundation class April 2017 – October 2017
Nigel Webb and Jaehun Lee
Foundation class March 2017 – September 2017
Nigel Webb and Harvir Bassi
Foundation class January 2017 – June 2017
Nigel Webb and Reniel Salinas
Foundation class November 2016 – May 2017
Terrance Chan congratulates Kenji Ismida
Foundation class Oct. 2016 – April 2017
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation congratulates Shareef Sadain
Foundation class Sept. 2016 – March 2017
Ron Stewart congratulates David Allison
Foundation class Aug. 2016 – February 2017
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation with Nathan Wong
Foundation class July 2016 – January 2017
Nik Nathoo congratulating Jacob Schneebeli
Foundation class June 2016 – November 2016
Mark Fiendel, EMCO Business Development Manager, with Scott Kerr
Foundation class May 2016 – October 2016
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation, with Eric Pangalia
Foundation class April 2016 – September 2016
Ron Stewart, congratulates Kirby Carlson
Foundation class March 2016 – August 2016
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation, congratulates Hartt O’Hearn
Foundation class January 2016 – June 2016
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation, congratulates Jared Smith
Foundation class Nov. 2015 – May 2016
Ryland Nicholson, Emco Corporation Bby. branch, congratulates Adam Lall
Foundation class Oct. 2015 – April 2016
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation, congratulates Brandan MacIntyre
Foundation class Sept. 2015 – April 2016
Ron Stewart congratulates Josh Nieuwinhuis
Foundation class August 2015 – March 2016
Ron Stewart congratulates Devon Gravelle
Foundation class August 2015 – March 2016
Ron Stewart congratulates Karl Stevens
Foundation class July 2015 – January 2016
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation, congratulates Joanne Olsen
Foundation class June 2015 – December 2015
Richard Yoo congratulates Johnson Hau
Foundation class June 2015 – November 2015
Bill Johnston congratulates Nathan Kwon
Foundation class May 2015 – September 2015
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation, congratulates Jesse McRae
Foundation class March 2015 – August 2015
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation, congratulates Lee Fitzgerald
Foundation class December 2014 – June 2015
Ron Stewart congratulates Harman Virdi
Foundation class November 2014 – May 2015
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation, congratulates Karen Lum
Foundation class September 2014 – March 2015
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation, congratulates Taylor Hoffmann
Foundation class June 2014 – December 2014
Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation, congratulates Mike Conway
Foundation class May 2014 – November 2014
Ron Stewart congratulating Wesley Gross
Foundation class March 2014 – September 2014
Richard Yoo and Merlin Dalian
Foundation class March 2014 – August 2014
Ron Stewart and Allan Asuncion
Foundation class December 2013 – June 2014
Andrew Thomas and Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation
Foundation class November 2013 – May 2014
Eric Yeung and Ron Stewart
Foundation class August 2013 – February 2014
Rob Pincombe and Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation
Foundation class July 2013 – January 2014
Robert Steiner and Ryan Rasmussen
ACCESS class June 2013 – December 2013
Ryan Thomas with Mike Sokalofsky
2nd June – December 2013 – Anthony Zanatta
March 2013: Steve Gilles and Langley Secondary student Steve Wyckoff
February 2013: Matt Chow and Bill Evans
January 2013: Yenny To and Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation
December 2012: Joe Lee with Ian Gillies, OAM Emco Corporation
October 2012: Ben Ekroth and Ron Stewart, BCIT Instructor
September 2012: Alex Stankiewicz and Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation
August 2012: Ron Stewart and Sean Seale
July 2012: Jordan Kelly and Ian Gillies, OAM Emco Corporation
June 2012: Adrian Manquenahuel, Bill Evans and Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation
April 2012 – Hayden Gale
February 2012 – Hang Lee
January 2012 – Adam Begley
November 2011 – Iman Mamari Pour
October 2011: Torin Archibald and Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation
September 2011: Bill Evans and Cameron Hock
August 2011: Ian Thistlewaite and Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation
July 2011: Bill Evans and Brandon Reid
June 2011: Mathew Stewart and Jonathan Cheng, Hydronic Team Emco Corporation
May 2011: James Zhang and Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation
March 2011: Bryan Austerberry and Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation
February 2011: James Yu and David Kroerer, Emco Business Manager
January 2011: Eric Neilson and Nigel Webb, OAM Emco Corporation
November 2010: Bill Evans, Anthoney Pavao and Nigel Webb
We are soliciting suggestions from both apprentices and tradesmen/women in the Plumbing, Steamfitting, Sprinklerfitting and Gasfitting fields regarding how we can better serve you. The purpose of the survey is to gain an understanding of the types, duration and scheduling of part-time studies courses that the mechanical tradesperson would like the Piping department to offer.
We appreciate your input and will strive to accommodate as best we can. Please feel free to contact Steve Gilles, Piping Department Head, if you have specific concerns regarding training.
“Piping Science” videos
With the help of BCIT’s Media Productions our staff have created nine short “Piping Science” YouTube Videos.