Our Fall 2026 plumbing pre-apprenticeship cohort has started and enrollment is now closed. The 8-week program takes you from zero experience to job-ready with hands-on training, industry connections, and job placement support. Join the interest list to be notified when the next cohort opens.
The Fall 2026 cohort runs September 28 – November 13. Want to know when the next one opens? Get on the interest list above.
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 has started and enrollment is closed, but you can join the interest list to hear about the next one first.
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.
Enrollment for this cohort is closed. These details show what to expect from the program.
For the Fall 2026 cohort, a grant through the San Diego Regional Energy Network cut tuition in half, to $800, for students who qualified.
Join the interest list to learn whether financial assistance is available for the next cohort.
Enrollment for the Fall 2026 cohort is closed. Classes started September 28 and run through November 13.
Want to know when the next cohort opens? Join the interest list to get the details as soon as they're available.
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. For the Fall 2026 cohort, a grant through the San Diego Regional Energy Network cut tuition in half, to $800, for students who qualified. Financial assistance availability depends on current grant funding, so join the interest list to learn what's available for the next cohort.
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.
No. The Fall 2026 cohort started September 28, 2026, and enrollment is now closed while classes are in session through November 13. To be notified as soon as the next cohort opens, join PHCC San Diego's interest list.
Enrollment for the current cohort is closed. Join PHCC San Diego's interest list to be notified when applications open for the next cohort, including cost and financial assistance details.
