Plumber/Pipefitter at Joe The Plumber DBA Blue Duck Plumbing
at Joe The Plumber DBA Blue Duck Plumbing in Lawrence, KS
About This Program
Joe The Plumber, doing business as Blue Duck Plumbing, sponsors this registered Plumber/Pipefitter apprenticeship program in Lawrence, KS. This non-union program offers a paid, employer-connected training experience for individuals in eastern Kansas who want to enter the plumbing trade through a local, community-based company.
The five-year program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work alongside experienced plumbers on residential and light commercial projects, learning to install water supply systems, drainage and venting, fixtures, water heaters, and gas lines. Classroom coursework covers plumbing codes, trade safety, blueprint reading, and the applied mathematics used in everyday plumbing work.
Graduates complete the program as journey-level plumbers equipped for a range of work in Lawrence and the surrounding Kansas region. Blue Duck Plumbing's apprenticeship offers a practical, close-knit training environment where new tradespeople can grow their skills while earning income and serving their local community from day one.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$30
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
5 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Plumber Career Outlook
National Median
$30.46/hr
~$63,356.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$15/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Plumber employment is projected to grow steadily, driven by new construction, building renovation, and the need to replace aging water infrastructure. Water efficiency regulations and green building standards are creating additional demand for skilled plumbers. The trade consistently ranks among the hardest positions for employers to fill, indicating strong job security.
What to Expect as a Plumber/Pipefitter Apprentice
Duration
5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~115 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Plumber
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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