Plumber retraining is varied and often the major part of it takes place outside the classroom. Or even if it does take place inside the classroom, it is supplemented by practical training. There are many specialized kinds of plumbing such as your regular residential plumber or commercial ones, or pipe layers and fitters, or steam layers. Their jobs are different thus the training they receive is also different. There are colleges and institutions which offer courses in plumbing, especially for industrial or residential plumbing. In these schools though the plumbers have to learn some theory in the classroom, their training is completed by practical plumbing jobs which they are required to undertake. Others such as pipe fitters and steam layers learn their skills through specialized apprentice ship programs. You can easily try out these institutes for your plumber retraining.

Apprenticeships offer the best kind of plumber retraining in skills such as plumbing. It enables the trainee to understand wholly what the job entails. Often such jobs are controlled by labour unions which have a tie up with various companies, or other contractors who work individually. Some such organizations which may provide a prospective plumbing student with opportunities are.- Mechanical Contractors Association of America and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices they are both a part of the Plumbing and Pipe fitting Industry of the U.S. and Canada; others include The National Fire Sprinkler Association; the National Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors; and the Home Builders Institute etc.

Usually this kind of apprenticeship training continues for four to five years, irrespective of the fact whether you get it via some organization or some contractor. Apprenticeship is mainly practical training, but you also have to devote a minimum of 144 hours in classroom training per year. You have to learn the basics of subjects like math, applied physics and chemistry, the art of drafting and reading blueprints, also learn local plumbing codes and regulations etc.

The practical side of it trains the student to distinguish various kinds of pipes, the handling of basic plumbing equipments, unloading them, and later on installing pipes, and other plumbing fixtures and appliances.

You have to be 18 in order to be able to apply for such internships, and there are certain health requirements. It's good if you have a high school education or a GED, it might even be compulsory.. Military plumber retraining is a great plus. If you know the basics of blue print reading or applied physics or math, it may hold you in good stead.

In the United States, it is mandatory for plumbers to have a license, but there is no standardized procedure of issuing licenses. Usually one has to pass a required examination, which is basically a test to check the extent of their practical and theoretical knowledge about plumbing. Once that is achieved you can learn more specialized stuff and go on to become high level employees in plumbing firms or even get your own business started. Or you might choose the career of a building inspector.