Our Fall 2026 plumbing pre-apprenticeship cohort starts September 28 and runs 8 weeks, taking you from zero experience to job-ready with hands-on training, industry connections, and job placement support. A new grant can cut tuition in half for students who qualify.
Fall 2026 cohort: September 28 – November 13, Monday–Friday, 1:00–4:30 PM. Class size limited to 12 students.
Are you ready to jumpstart your career in the plumbing, heating, and cooling (PHC) industry? PHCC San Diego has a dedicated interest in growing the trades industry, and our plumbing pre-apprenticeship program is designed as the on-ramp — whether you're straight out of high school, changing careers, or simply looking for a hands-on trade with real earning potential. Our Fall 2026 cohort is enrolling now.
A pre-apprenticeship is different from a full plumbing apprenticeship: it's a shorter, structured introduction that builds the foundational skills, safety knowledge, and industry connections you need before you step into a formal apprenticeship or an entry-level job with a contractor. Our comprehensive 8-week program combines a rigorous curriculum, hands-on training, and job placement support, making it your stepping stone toward a successful career in the plumbing trade.
Skilled plumbers are in short supply, and San Diego pays well for the trade. According to CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor), the median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area is $72,510. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the field will grow 7% from 2025 to 2035 — much faster than the average for all occupations — adding roughly 34,500 jobs over the decade. See San Diego wage data on CareerOneStop or the full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry.
Every pre-apprentice gets the same foundation: real classroom instruction, real tools, and a real path to employment.
The plumbing pre-apprenticeship curriculum is built on the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) standard, moving from safety fundamentals to real plumbing systems over eight weeks:
Recommended course materials: NCCER Plumbing Curriculum, Year 1 and UPC Plumbing Code Book, 2021.
Want to see what comes after pre-apprenticeship? Read our guide to must-know plumbing training and courses, or browse the rest of the PHCC Academy course catalog.
A grant through the San Diego Regional Energy Network can cut tuition in half, to $800, for students who qualify.
Check your eligibility before you register.
Fall 2026 cohort now enrolling. Classes run September 28 through November 13 and are limited to 12 students.
If cost is a factor, check your eligibility for tuition assistance before you register, since the grant can't be applied after the fact.
A plumbing pre-apprenticeship program is a short, structured training course that teaches the foundational skills, safety practices, and industry knowledge needed to enter the plumbing trade. PHCC San Diego's program runs 8 weeks and prepares graduates for a formal apprenticeship or an entry-level position with a sponsoring contractor.
No prior plumbing experience is required. The program is open to anyone 18 or older with a high school diploma or GED, including recent high school graduates and career changers. It's not intended for people already working in plumbing or HVAC; if that's you, contact PHCC Academy about job placement or the 4-year registered apprenticeship instead.
A pre-apprenticeship, like this 8-week program, builds the basic skills and industry connections needed to get started. A full plumbing apprenticeship is a longer, paid, employer-sponsored program (typically several years) that leads to journeyman status. This program is the stepping stone that helps you get placed with a contractor sponsor.
Graduates leave with a foundational understanding of the plumbing trade and access to PHCC San Diego's contractor sponsor network, plus job placement support to help connect you with local employers and apprenticeship opportunities.
Tuition is $1,600, which includes textbooks, hands-on supplies, and certification fees. A grant through the San Diego Regional Energy Network can cut that in half, to $800, for students who qualify. Eligibility is based on several factors, so applicants should complete the eligibility survey before registering, since the discount cannot be applied retroactively.
In the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn a median annual wage of $72,510, according to CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor). Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the field will grow 7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, as demand for skilled plumbers keeps climbing.
The Fall 2026 cohort runs September 28 through November 13, 2026, Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 4:30 PM, at PHCC Academy of San Diego (9920 Scripps Lake Dr #102, San Diego, CA 92131). Class size is limited to 12 students.
Register for the Fall 2026 cohort directly through PHCC San Diego's online registration page. If cost is a concern, complete the financial assistance eligibility survey first, since the discount cannot be applied after you've already registered. For general program information or future cohorts, visit PHCC San Diego's Academy Programs page.
