Associate of Science in Steamfitting and Pipefitting Technology (Apprenticeship)

Foothill College

The Associate in Science in Steamfitting & Pipefitting Technology degree program is conducted in partnership with the Pipe Trades Training Center apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program is 5 years in duration, requiring a minimum of 9,000 hours of on-the-job training. After 5 years of classroom instruction and paid work experience, students are recognized as journeypersons within the Pipe Trades industry and work to protect our environment by properly installing and maintaining piping and equipment for complex heating and air conditioning and special industrial piping systems. The apprenticeship program, which includes coursework, lab work, and on-the-job training, involves learning about the assessment, installation, maintenance, and repair of different types of pipe systems, effective and safe tool use, material applications, related mathematics and science, and storage. The Associate in Science in Steamfitting & Pipefitting Technology degree builds on the Certificate of Achievement in Steamfitting & Pipefitting Technology by adding requirements for general education courses and electives. Students are admitted into the Pipe Trades Training Center apprenticeship program based on obtaining a passing (75%) score on the Pipe Trades Entrance Exam, which measures the student's ability in math and mechanical reasoning. Students who pass the entrance exam are selected from an applicant waiting list, the order of which is established by the date the entrance exam was taken and the test score.