FTS Plumber Apprenticeship – Florida Training Services
Trade Schools and Apprenticeships in Florida / FTS Plumber Apprenticeship – Florida Training Services
FTS Plumber Apprenticeship – Florida Training Services
Program Information
The FTS Plumber Apprenticeship, offered through Florida Training Services in partnership with Atlantic Technical College, is a state-registered, fully accredited apprenticeship designed to prepare individuals for long-term careers in the plumbing trade. Apprentices enrolled in the program are officially registered with the Florida Department of Workforce Education – Apprenticeship Section and simultaneously recognized as students of Atlantic Technical College. This dual registration ensures that each apprentice receives both comprehensive classroom instruction and industry-validated training credentials.
The program curriculum provides a broad and advanced foundation in modern plumbing practices, helping apprentices gain the technical knowledge, practical skills, and job-site experience required to advance quickly in the industry. Coursework includes safety protocols, system design, installation methods, and hands-on skills development that align with real-world expectations. At the end of the program, graduates earn multiple certifications, including a State of Florida Apprenticeship Completion Certificate, an Atlantic Technical College Certificate, and OSHA safety credentials. These certifications significantly enhance employability and position graduates for long-term advancement in both residential and commercial plumbing environments.
Instruction includes an extensive list of industry-critical topics such as plumbing safety, proper tool usage, copper and cast-iron pipe systems, plumbing drawings, fixture installation, roof and floor drain installation, structural penetrations, fire-stopping procedures, water heater installation, potable water treatment systems, gas fuel systems, sewage and sump pumps, service plumbing applications, and relevant state plumbing codes. Students also learn to interpret commercial drawings, integrate plumbing systems into building structures, and troubleshoot complex installations. This combination of academic and practical training ensures that apprentices become capable, knowledgeable, and confident plumbing professionals.
Training takes place at multiple Florida Training Services locations, with evening classes offered twice weekly to support working apprentices. Throughout the apprenticeship, students work full-time with a sponsoring employer, allowing them to earn a wage while gaining direct hands-on experience. In addition to on-the-job learning, apprentices complete structured classroom education delivered by certified instructors with extensive plumbing and construction backgrounds. The program strongly emphasizes safety, professional development, and real-world competence, ensuring graduates are prepared to join the workforce as skilled plumbing technicians.
Program Length
Four-year apprenticeship consisting of 2,000 hours of documented on-the-job training per year and a minimum of 144 hours of related classroom instruction annually.
Program Requirements
- Must be employed full-time in the plumbing trade with a sponsoring employer, or have prior construction/plumbing experience to be placed with one
- Applicants without prior experience are encouraged to begin with the FTS Pre-Apprenticeship Program
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation
- Must be able to read, write, and speak English for safety and training purposes
- Reliable transportation to job sites and training facilities
- Must attend evening classes twice per week
Training Locations
Fort Pierce – 4114 Okeechobee Rd, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
Palm Beach County – North Technical Education Center, 7071 Garden Rd, Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Apprenticeship Cost & Career Outlook
FTS Plumber Apprenticeship – Florida Training Services is a Registered Apprenticeship Program — meaning you can earn while you learn through paid on-the-job training in Plumbing.
- Paid on-the-job training with step increases as you progress
- Classroom / technical instruction is part of the program structure
- Training costs are often low — but you may still pay for tools, books, or fees
- Credential earned at completion is recognized by employers in the industry
Registered apprenticeships are overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. Because these programs aren’t traditional colleges, College Scorecard tuition and earnings data usually doesn’t apply.
Step-by-Step Career Guides
The programs and apprenticeships listed on this page relate to hands-on skilled trades. Explore the guides below to learn about training paths, licensing, salaries, and what to expect in each career field.