Apprentice Plumber

You've moved past the ditch-digging phase and started actually plumbing — under supervision. You'll learn to sweat copper, read blueprints, and understand why water flows downhill (gravity: the plumber's best friend). The apprenticeship takes 4-5 years and combines classroom learning with on-the-job training. Every journeyman has a story about the apprentice who flooded a house, and they'll tell it to you at least once a week.

What you'll actually do

• 01Install water supply lines, drain lines, and fixtures under supervision
• 02Learn to sweat copper without burning the house down — a genuine concern at first
• 03Read blueprints and figure out where the pipes need to go before the drywall goes up
• 04Attend evening classes while your non-trade friends are watching Netflix
• 05Pass practical exams that determine if you're ready for the next year of training
• 06Develop an encyclopedic knowledge of plumbing code that will never be useful at parties

Career Path

Where this role sits in the bigger picture — and where it can take you.