Herzing Skilled Trades

Whether it's an overflowing bowl or something very odd flushed down the drain—toilet troubles are often a source of embarrassment, stress, and frustration for homeowners.

Many of your future clients will try to troubleshoot (or simply ignore) their malfunctioning toilet until it becomes a genuine emergency, or simply too annoying to bear.

What kinds of issues can you expect to deal with most often after plumbing training? Here are your top five most common toilet problems and the causes you'll investigate first when solving them.

Updated May 2023

Did you know that the voltage and available electrical current in a regular home or business has enough power to cause death by electrocution?

The truth is, all electrical systems have the potential to cause harm. Your body is a natural conductor of electricity and is vulnerable to electrical shocks and burns.

These include thermal burns that affect both the external skin and internal tissues—and arc blasts that can cause your lungs to collapse, or muscles to contract, causing a serious fall. Direct contact with energized conductors or circuit parts can interfere with the brain, make it difficult to breathe, or even stop your heart.

Working with electricity is serious business!

If you're taking electrician training or about to begin an apprenticeship, these are eight essential safety measures to know and respect.

Plumbing students at Herzing College Skilled Trades

Updated October 2022

There's so much to learn and remember at the start of trades training. Plumbing courses are no different. From technical terminology, tool names, building codes, and procedures to just learning the names of your classmates—it can feel overwhelming at first.

However, with good instruction, hard work, and hands-on practice, your understanding and confidence will grow.  Before you know it, you'll be finished pre-apprenticeship training, completing your apprenticeship, and earning your Certificate of Qualification.

But in the meantime, what are some ways to ease your transition from plumber newbie to experienced pro?

Follow these five simple rules and you'll do just fine—not just in plumber courses, but throughout your entire career.

Planning to enrol in an electrician program? Have you given any thought to what environment you'd like to work in or areas you'd like to specialize in as you progress in your career?

Electricians work in several different domains: domestic, commercial, and industrial.  Each path comes with its own unique challenges, technical demands, and specialized skills.

A plumber diagnoses the source of a leaky pipe (image courtesy of Ocean Yamaha)

Considering plumber training and wondering what kinds of problems you'll face on a day-to-day  basis?

Home and commercial building owners often wait till the last minute to seek professional plumbing help. When you get there, you will often encounter ill-fated attempts at DIY fixes and neglected issues that have multiplied into messy and expensive jobs.

And of course, you will get called in to fix those pesky little plumbing problems we all face from time to time—the routine water and drainage issues that derail our routines and totally disrupt our lives.

This post looks at three such problems and how you can expect to handle them after finishing plumbing training.

HVAC technicians monitor the refrigeration weight and pressure of a chiller in order to correctly recharge the unit (Source: Flikr)

If a client calls complaining about an air conditioner or heat pump not working properly, a refrigerant leak is one possible source of the problem.

Not only do refrigerant leaks impair system performance, waste money, and hurt the environment, they're also poisonous to humans.

Updated October 2022

Students enrolling in pre-apprenticeship training should expect site safety to be a major feature of both theory and hands-on coursework.

Construction professionals in Ontario are compelled to meet specific safety training and certification requirements. Quality trades colleges introduce and reinforce those standards from day one of training, ensuring pre-apprentices are equipped with the fundamentals employers look for—the safety knowledge needed to protect themselves, colleagues, and the public while working.

Wondering what kinds of safety practices you will learn in pre-apprenticeship training?

Start by understanding some of the most common job site injuries, and why safety education is key for preventing accidents.

Photo: An HVAC technician checks the temperature gauges on an a/c unit (image source: KOMUnews)

Updated December 2022

Are you considering becoming an HVAC technician? Your first step is to find a well-respected training program that will help you get hired as an apprentice.

Before you can challenge the certification exam, you must complete an apprenticeship. HVAC companies don't usually hire apprentices right off the street, so you'll need some sharp skills to get your foot in the door.

What skills do employers look for?

In this post, we break down the skills and qualities that matter most to HVAC employers.

You will start building these skills in pre-apprenticeship HVAC training, and continue honing them throughout your HVAC career.

Faulty electrical wiring is a leading cause of property damage and serious injury due to fire. Many fires in Canada are caused by bad wiring—brought on by poor maintenance and incorrectly installed components.

Overly confident homeowners attempting DIY electrical projects are one part of the problem. Another issue is lack of knowledge regarding wiring safety procedures and danger signs.

Updated January 2023

What exactly is network cabling?

Cabling specialists install and repair telecommunications lines. They work in homes and businesses, setting up and troubleshooting internet, cable and satellite TV, and phone lines. This trade requires a unique combination of customer service skills, technical aptitude, adaptiveness to emerging technology, and exceptional problem-solving.

Wondering if a network cabling program is right for you? Start by answering these five questions.