Plumbers train to install, repair and maintain plumbing fixtures and systems such as water, hydronic, drainage, waste and vent (DWV), low pressure steam, chemical and irrigation. Plumbers also work with specialized systems such as medical gas, process piping, compressed air, water conditioners, fuel piping, sewage and water treatment, and storage and flow equipment.
Tuition and fees depend on your intended level of study, as well as the campus location.
Note: prices do not include 5% GST, and can change at any time. Textbooks are available at the OC Campus Store by contacting 250-762-5445 ext. 4586 or ordering online.
Note: prices do not include 5% GST, and can change at any time. Textbooks are available at the OC Campus Store by contacting 250-762-5445 ext. 4586 or ordering online.
Level 2 apprentices are required to be prepared for the first day of class:
Note: prices do not include 5% GST, and can change at any time. Textbooks are available at the OC Campus Store by contacting 250-762-5445, ext. 4586 or ordering online.
There will be a Plumbing Code exam on Day 1 which will encompass the material covered in the Drainage and Venting Systems portion of Level 2. Please bring your B.C. or Canadian Plumbing Code book, a calculator, pencil and eraser and come prepared to write this test as it will be counted toward your final mark for Level 3.
You will also have the opportunity to challenge the BC Water and Waste Association (BCWWA) Cross Connection Control Tester licensing exam at the end of the CCC portion of your Level 3 training session. While this licence is at arm’s length to the apprenticeship program, it is a valuable asset to your professional resume and should be considered. The exam fee is $100 payable to BCWWA and a facility fee of $125 is payable to Okanagan College. These costs and their payment will be explained in more detail on the first day of class.
There is an additional cost to write the BC Gasfitter Level “B” Certification – approximately $355.95 payable to the BC Safety Authority (not run through Okanagan College).
Students are required to have their ITA apprenticeship card in order to make an application for this exam. Please bring your card in on the first day of class.
Note: prices do not include 5% GST, and can change at any time. Textbooks are available at the OC Campus Store by contacting 250-762-5445, ext. 4586 or ordering online.
There will be a gasfitting exam on Day 1 which will encompass the material covered in the gasfitting portion of Level 3. Please bring your B149.1 Gas Code book, a calculator, pencil and eraser.
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant provides direct support to apprentices in the first two years of an approved apprenticeship training program (Red Seal trades). The taxable grant is $1,000 for Level 1 and $1,000 for Level 2. This grant is only available after you have completed the specified level of technical training and have a specific number of work-based hours on your ITA transcript.
The Apprenticeship Completion Grant is a $3,000 taxable cash grant for apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and obtain Red Seal endorsement or a provincial/territorial certificate of qualification in a designated Red Seal trade. Apprentices can apply twice; once after their first year of training, and one more time after their second year.
Note: this grant is not available to students in the Professional Cook and/or Baker Apprenticeship programs.
The Apprenticeship Completion Grant is a $2,000 taxable cash grant for apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and obtain Red Seal endorsement or a provincial/territorial certificate of qualification in a designated Red Seal trade.
Apprentice financial supports are available to eligible apprentices while they’re completing their classroom apprenticeship training. Apprentices may be able for supports which cover costs such as child card, transportation, disability, and more. Once an apprentice completes the WorkBC application online, a 16-digit reference code will be emailed to them. Use the 16-digit reference code for the Service Canada EI application.
Apprentices attending full-time technical training (sometimes referred to as block-release training), they may be eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while unemployed and attending your course. Refer to the Service Canada website for application details.
Apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program who meet the eligibility requirements may receive up to $4,000 in loans per period of technical training. The purpose of the CAL is to provide apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with loans to assist with the costs to attend technical training.
The LNG Canada Trades Training Fund is available for application by employers on behalf of their apprentices who are high-demand trades. Funding can be requested for apprenticeship training, foundation training as well as specialized, technical and managerial training. Only small companies with 20 employees or less, who are supporting apprenticeship in the demand trades, are eligible.
The federal government will now provide tax recognition for the costs that many employed tradespeople incur to provide their own tools in their employment duties. A deduction (up to a maximum of $500/year) will be allowed for the total cost of new tools acquired by an employed tradesperson in a tax year in excess of $1000. Employer will need to certify that the employee is required to obtain those tools for use in employment activities.
Apprentices who complete their third and four year of any apprenticeship program may be eligible for a tax credit. The apprentice will receive the tax credit when they file their annual income taxes. Apprentices will be eligible for a tax credit of $2,000 for completing Level 3 and a credit for $2,500 for completing Level 4 of any apprenticeship. For more information visit www.sbr.gov.bc.ca.
Your T2202A tax form is available online via myOkanagan on the last day of February.
To access your tax form:
If you have any problems accessing your myOkanagan account, please call IT Services at 1-866-839-4032 or complete an online myOkanagan password reset request.
Learn more about the Department
View the Tuition and Fees page
Have your questions answered by a Trades and Apprenticeship staff member.
Register with the ITA prior to applying to an apprenticeship program.
Take the next step and enrol in an apprenticeship program at OC.
