SCHOOL INFORMATION
We pride ourselves in being ourselves...Professionals on the job and in the classroom. Since 1974 we have "Educated generations of Skilled Plumbers" and the success of the hard working men and women that learned from us over the years can attest to that. We teach apprentice plumbers the plumbing code, and the reasoning/methods behind why and how they do what they do at the job site each day. This prepares apprentices for the Journeyman & Master Exam.
Our program remained in the same location at McKeesport Area High School from 1974 until 2020, when we were forced into Online Instruction due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
All Online Instruction is completed in our Virtual Classroom and All "In-Person" Instruction and Testing is completed at McKeesport Area High School.
To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Allegheny County, apprentices must successfully complete 576 hours in the classroom, along with 8,000 hours in the field working under direction of an Allegheny County Registered Master Plumber. Following this requirement will enable the Apprentice to take their Journeyman Exam at the end of their 4th Year with us.
TO REGISTER FOR OUR PROGRAM YOU MUST BE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY A REGISTERED MASTER PLUMBER!
While working as an Apprentice Plumber you are required to attend school, and have a current Apprentice Card issued by the Allegheny County Health Department. *Apprentice Card Renewals are included with tuition.
THE BREAKDOWN:
Classes are held two semesters per year:
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Fall Semester (Late August-November)
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Spring Semester (January-March)
Each semester consists of 24 classes held on Tuesday & Wednesday nights from 7:00p.m. - 10:00p.m. There are a total of 72 class hours per semester.
TUITION FOR ALL APPRENTICES 1st-4th Year: $700.00 per semester
Refresher Courses are also available for returning Journeyman who wish to take the Allegheny County Master Plumber Exam.
TUITION FOR REFRESHER COURSES: $500.00 per semester
Apprentices are taught the IPC/Allegheny County Plumbing Code Theory.
Apprentice Tuition Includes access to all necessary training books & materials that correspond with each course throughout each semester. We also include the yearly Apprentice Card update with your tuition. Remember, you must be attending school to maintain your Apprentice Card.
We do not give out any certifications (such as back flow/D.O.T.) since this may be in conflict with their employer. During these hard economic times it is hard for licensed plumbers working for legitimate plumbing companies to compete with unqualified, unskilled handymen, let alone competing with certified apprentices. Please note that, because the apprentice program is four years, and a minimum of five years plumbing experience is required to receive ASSE back flow certification, we are unable to provide that training. It has always been the policy of M.Y.P.A.S. to teach the theory of the plumbing codes, and to prepare the apprentice for the journeyman/master examination required by the Allegheny County Health Department.