The Red Seal Plumber Examination Prep course is based on the competencies in the trade’s Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS). The course will help students review all the trade-specific concepts and theories they will need to challenge and successfully pass the Red Seal Examination.
This intensive review course is for participants who have the requisite theoretical and practical knowledge and have met the challenge requirements to write the exam. The course will guide candidates and help them with the preparation material for the exam to become a Red Seal Plumber.
Students will have eight weeks to complete the course.
For more information, refer to our blog articles on Red Seal Occupations
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
None
Plumbers install, repair and maintain plumbing fixtures and systems such as water, hydronic, drain, waste and vent (DWV), low pressure steam, residential fire, chemical and irrigation. They also install specialized systems such as medical gas, process piping, compressed air, water conditioners, fuel piping, sewage and water treatment, and storage and flow equipment.
Plumbers may be employed by plumbing/mechanical contractors, service companies, and maintenance departments of manufacturing, commercial, health care and educational facilities. They may also be self employed.
Plumbers interpret drawings, refer to layouts of existing services, and review applicable codes and specifications to determine work details and procedures. They locate and mark positions for fixtures, pipe connections and sleeves, and cut openings to accommodate pipe and fittings. Plumbers install piping and equipment in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings and sites.
Plumbers use a variety of tools and equipment such as hand and power tools, welding and soldering/brazing equipment, and hoisting and lifting equipment to perform the tasks in their trade. To perform some tasks or use some equipment, specific certification may be required. Plumbers work with a variety of piping materials such as copper, steel, plastic, glass, cast iron, cement, fibreglass and specialty materials.
Before assembling and fitting pipe sections, tubing and fittings, the pipes must be measured, cut and bent as required. Joining pipe may be done by various means, such as threading, using mechanical joints, welding, soldering/brazing and using fastening materials and compounds.
Plumbers test and commission systems to ensure proper operation. They perform scheduled, unscheduled and emergency maintenance and repair. Safety awareness is essential for plumbers. They may work indoors or outdoors and working conditions vary from one job to another.
The work of plumbers can be physically demanding. Plumbers often need to lift and carry heavy materials and equipment. While performing their duties, plumbers are also required to do considerable standing, climbing and kneeling. They may work at heights and in confined spaces. Special precautions may have to be taken when working with fluids, gases, steam and hazardous elements. Plumbers need to assess the systems and the environment to identify possible dangers.
Key attributes for people entering this trade are good mechanical, mathematical and spatial visualization skills. Plumbers also need good communication skills to communicate with co-workers and clients. Analytical/problem solving skills are required to interpret building plans, inspect piping systems and diagnose system faults and malfunctions. This standard recognizes some similarities or overlaps with the work of gasfitters, steamfitters/pipefitters, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics and sprinkler system installers.
With experience, plumbers act as mentors and trainers to apprentices in the trade. They may also move into other positions such as instructors, inspectors, estimators and project managers.
Note: Before registering for any Red Seal Exam Preparation courses, please contact your local trades authority to confirm your eligibility to write the relevant Red Seal Exam.
Subject to change without notice
Jim Cameron is a Red Seal Plumber, Class “A” Gasfitter and a Red Seal Steamfitter/Pipefitter. Jim has over 40 years of trade experience in the field and as an instructor and curriculum developer for NAIT, SAIT, Centro Nacional para la Certification Industrial (Cuba), Lanzhou Petroleum Corporation (China), Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, and Pacific Vocational College. As a field hand, Jim worked as a journeyman, foreman, general foreman, site superintendent and was the owner of a mechanical contracting company. Jim officially retired in 2018, but he still enjoys instructing students online and in-person and works in the field for one or two months of the year. He makes his home in Mexico and Canada.
Jeremy Carte is a Red Seal Plumber, Class “B” Gasfitter and Fourth Class Power Engineer who has been working in the industry for over a decade. Coming from a strong background in commercial and institutional service, he has built his portfolio of experience to include residential service, rough in and heating installations. Jeremy has benefited greatly from the talent and skills of many gifted colleagues throughout the years and has a strong desire to share what has helped him with others interested in the piping trades.
Vanessa Mastin is a highly educated and dedicated journeyperson with a passion for meaningful work in the trades and education sectors. She has over seven years of experience as a certified Red Seal Journeyperson Plumber and Gasfitter. She achieved her National Construction Safety Officer certification in 2017 and is the co-chair of the School of Construction Safety Committee at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, where she has taught for three years. Professionally, she demonstrated her proven dedication to student success and learning by winning the SAITSA Instructor Excellence Award for the School of Construction. Her educational background in sociology also puts her in good standing when working in the pipe trades, as she can seamlessly work with diverse backgrounds. Her personal teaching philosophy is that you can never stop learning.
The registration fee for this course is $495.
Note: Tuition fees do not include the cost of the required textbooks. The textbook fee is approximately $47.21
Ashton College does not sell textbooks directly. Students are required to purchase their textbooks through third-party vendors.
Get the Best of Both Worlds: Live and Asynchronous Learning at Ashton College
Ashton College understands that everyone learns differently, which is why we offer a unique blended learning approach for our live online courses. This approach combines the real-time interaction and immediate feedback of live sessions with the flexibility and self-paced learning of asynchronous materials.
Experience the benefits of both worlds:
Live Online Sessions:
Interact with instructors and classmates in real-time using interactive sessions, breakout rooms, and screen sharing.
Get instant feedback and ask questions for a deeper understanding.
Asynchronous Learning:
Learn at your own pace with recorded lectures, online readings, and discussion forums.
Review materials as needed and revisit difficult concepts for better comprehension.
We encourage you to participate in both components to maximize your learning experience:
Enjoy the interactivity and community of live sessions.
Benefit from the flexibility of studying at your own pace.
Technical Requirements:
Computer System: Fully functional computer with webcam, speakers, and microphone (headset recommended).
Internet Connection: Reliable high-speed internet connection.
Device: While accessible on smartphones and tablets, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for a better learning experience.
This program/course does not require approval by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. As such, PTIB did not review the program/course.
