With the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s construction activity ranking in the top five nationally, there is a need for more pipefitters trained to work on industrial projects.
Starting this month, TCC South will offer courses geared to help students achieve their Pipefitter certification. Pipefitters are specialized plumbers who organize, assemble, create and maintain mechanical piping systems that withstand high pressure. Most of these are industrial, include heating and cooling systems, and involve work with steam, ventilation, hydraulics, chemicals and fuel.
The Basic Pipefitter program prepares students for entry-level careers in the pipefitter industry and teaches basic safety, construction math, use of hand and power tools, basic rigging, oxy-fuel cutting and operating and disassembling oxy-fuel equipment.
The pipefitting industry in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area is projected to grow 22.9 percent over the next few years, according to Katherine Smith, coordinator of special projects for the Business & Technology Division at TCC South. Data supplied by Burning Glass Technologies shows the median annual wage for pipefitters in the area is approximately $45,235.
The program follows National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) curriculum, offering five courses for a total of 320 certificate hours.
Courses include:
- PFPB 1008 – Basic Pipefitting Skills
- PFPB 1005 – Basic Blueprint Reading for Pipefitters
- PFPB 1050 – Plumbing/Pipefitting Equipment & Safety
- TECM 1001 – Industrial Mathematics
- WLDG 1021 – Welding Fundamentals
With each course running eight weeks long, students can complete the program in less than 12 months. Total cost for the program is $1,088.
TCC is planning to start offering an Associate of Applied Science in Pipefitting this fall, according to Sophy George, chair of the Mechanical & Industrial Technology Department at TCC South.
To learn more about the Basic Pipefitter program, visit the program webpage or email jean.yanes@tccd.edu.