Becoming a Qualified Plumber through a Plumbing Apprenticeship in Adelaide

ATEC employs plumbing apprentices and places them with a host employer for the duration of their apprenticeship. While practical and hands-on skills are developed on-site, ATEC plumbing apprentices complete theoretical training through a trusted third-party Registered Training Organisation (RTO), ensuring apprentices gain the comprehensive knowledge needed to earn their plumbing qualification.

A plumbing apprenticeship typically lasts four years. The first step involves signing a training contract that formalises a commitment to working under the guidance of qualified tradespeople while receiving structured theoretical training from a trusted third-party Registered Training Organisation (RTO). ATEC Group Training places apprentices with employers who provide hands-on experience, and we partner with RTOs to ensure that theoretical training meets industry standards. This approach ensures that apprentices are fully prepared for a successful career.

The start to a successful plumbing apprenticeship is ensuring the apprentice is placed with a host employer who can provide the right training and development opportunities. Group Training Organisations (GTOs) like ATEC Group Training are crucial in making these placements as seamless as possible.

During the four-year plumbing apprenticeship, apprentices divide their time between on-the-job learning with a licensed plumber and off-the-job training through a partnering RTO. This blended approach ensures that both parties gain the technical skills and practical understanding required in the trade.

The off-the-job training component allows apprentices to learn the theoretical side of their apprenticeship in a classroom, often combined with workshop practicals or simulated working environments. Meanwhile, the on-the-job training equips apprentices with real-world plumbing experiences and challenges under the guidance of qualified tradespeople, enabling them to apply what they have learned in real situations.

Plumbing apprenticeships are an excellent way to enter the industry because they offer a balanced approach to learning, combining classroom education with practical experience. When you choose an established GTO like ATEC, which has more than 35 years of experience, you gain job security that few employers can match. Additionally, you earn while you learn, receiving a wage while gaining practical skills. By the end of your apprenticeship, you will have a qualification and four years of hands-on experience in the field—an essential gateway to ongoing employment within the plumbing industry.

The main benefits of a plumbing apprenticeship through ATEC Group Training are:

• Training with a respected GTO with more than 35 years of experience
• You can gain practical experience in the plumbing industry
• An opportunity to be mentored by qualified plumbers
• Secure an Australia-wide recognised qualification
• You can upskill to advance your career prospects
• You earn a stable living wage while you learn
• Increased job security and continuity
• Equipment and safety provisions
• Support throughout the length of your apprenticeship
• Your host employer may decide to hire you full-time once your apprenticeship ends
• Achieve a nationally recognised qualification with no study debt
• Get paid correct wages and entitlements
• Dedicated ATEC Field Officer throughout your apprenticeship

For host employers, hiring an apprentice through ATEC Group Training, some flexible arrangements and benefits make it easier for businesses to host apprentices, such as:

• Employers can take on apprentices for shorter periods or specific projects
• ATEC carries out recruitment and screening of potential apprentices
• Ongoing apprentice mentoring and performance monitoring
• Handling of wages, insurance, and other employment responsibilities
• Knowledge of government incentives and programs that can benefit host employers

1. Register your interest on the ATEC website: ATEC Group Training will then contact you and request a resume and arrange an interview.
2. Sign a Training Contract: This formalises your apprenticeship and outlines your employer's obligations.
3. Begin Your Training: You will start on-the-job training and attend trade school to cover the academic aspects of plumbing.
4. Complete Your Apprenticeship: After four years, provided all competencies are met, you will receive your CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing and be qualified to work as a plumber.

Upon completing your apprenticeship, you will be awarded the CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing qualification, a nationally recognised qualification in Australia. This certification equips you with the skills necessary to perform a wide range of plumbing services, including but not limited to:

• Sanitary and Drainage Pipe Installations: Ensuring waste and stormwater systems are installed and maintained to industry standards.
• Gas, Pipework, and Appliance Installations: Safely install and maintain gas appliances, piping, and systems.
• Hot and Cold-Water Services: Working with domestic, commercial, and industrial water systems, including installation, repair, and maintenance.
• Water Recycling Technologies: Understanding and implementing modern water-saving technologies like greywater and rainwater systems.

By starting a plumbing apprenticeship with ATEC Group Training, you are setting yourself up for a rewarding career in a well-respected trade. From installing essential water systems to implementing cutting-edge water recycling technologies, the skills you acquire will open doors and allow you to make a real impact on the community.

Register your interest now.