Plumber/Pipefitter at Western Slope Plumbers and Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship and Journeyman
at Western Slope Plumbers and Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship and Journeyman in Grand Junction, CO
About This Program
Western Slope Plumbers and Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship and Journeyman Training sponsors a registered apprenticeship program in Grand Junction, CO, serving Colorado's Western Slope region. This employer-sponsored program provides paid training in both plumbing and pipefitting, giving apprentices hands-on experience and technical instruction over a five-year period.
The program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on water supply and drainage systems, gas lines, and industrial piping in the region's residential, commercial, and energy sector job sites. Classroom study covers trade math, Colorado plumbing codes, system design, and safety standards.
Completing the program qualifies graduates as journey-level Plumbers/Pipefitters prepared for independent skilled trade work across the Western Slope. The region's active energy and construction industries offer strong demand for qualified pipefitting professionals, making this a practical investment in a long-term trade career.
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
Licensing in Colorado
Plumber/Pipefitters in Colorado are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Colorado State Plumbing Board.
View full Coloradolicensing requirements →Reviews
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