Herzing Skilled Trades

Patrick Chan had spent 15 years in the restaurant industry, working his way up to sous chef and eventually head chef. But then COVID hit and he realized he needed a different career.

He’d always enjoyed being active and working with his hands, so the skilled trades seemed like a good fit. He took the leap and enrolled in the plumbing program at Herzing College.

With support from college staff, he found work almost immediately after graduating, and is very much enjoying his second career.

Here’s his story.

So you’re interested in a rewarding career in the skilled trades, but you’re torn between the fields of heating/cooling and plumbing?

HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and plumbing both offer excellent job security, good wages, and the satisfaction of keeping people comfortable in their homes and businesses. But they also have some key differences.

This guide will help you compare the key aspects of HVAC vs. plumbing: duties, skills, salaries, career options, and more. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to choose the trade that’s best for you.

Many people have an image of plumbing as being about clogged drains and overflowing toilets. But that’s far from the complete picture.

The truth is that the plumbing trade offers steady demand and a diverse range of career opportunities across Ontario. Want to focus on home plumbing services? Industrial steamfitting? Fire protection? You have plenty of options.

In this blog, we outline various types of plumbers and plumbing specializations so you can discover the path that’s right for you.

If you’re thinking about a career in the plumbing trade, one of the most important factors you need to consider is how much you could earn.

Plumber salaries depend on several factors, such as the amount of experience you have and whether you work on staff at a company or run your own business.

To get a true picture of plumber salaries in Ontario, we analyzed the latest government labour market data as well as dozens of real job postings on Indeed, Workopolis, and Glassdoor.

We looked at earnings for apprentices, licensed plumbers, and contractors.

Keep reading to discover the latest salary info and see how you can get started in this trade.

As is the case for a lot of people, Erica Dingman’s career path zigged and zagged. She spent a few years dabbling in animation, customer service, and other areas, but none of them were quite right.

She’d always loved taking things apart and learning how they worked, so the trades seemed like a natural fit. After overcoming a slight hesitation that she might be too old to start something new, she enrolled in the plumbing pre-apprenticeship training at Herzing College.

It turned out to be a great decision. Erica was so successful that she was even asked to be a teaching assistant in the program.

How did she find the whole experience? Keep reading to find out.

The difference between residential and commercial plumbing is always a hot topic for debate—after all, pipes are pipes, right? Well, not exactly.

While it's true that commercial and residential work do share certain attributes, there are key elements that set these work environments apart for plumbers.

In this post, we look at some of those elements, as well as the distinct challenges plumbers face in residential versus commercial settings. Here are six differences between these two plumber career paths.

Quick summary: Find out exactly what plumbing pre-apprenticeship training involves, the main benefits to students, and whether it's truly worth the investment.

If you’re interested in becoming a licensed plumber, you’ve probably done some research on the training and certification process.

Chances are, you've heard about plumbing pre-apprenticeship training and are wondering if it's worth the time and money.

Can't you just go ahead and apply for an apprenticeship without doing any training? 

Sure - but chances are you won't get hired.

Why? Because most companies don't just hire apprentices right off the street, with no background or experience in plumbing whatsoever!

They prefer to hire people who already have some basic plumbing skills and knowledge. In other words, people who have taken a plumber pre-apprenticeship program.

Is this something you should be doing? Here are a few things to consider when making your decision.

Pre-apprenticeship students in class at Herzing College (2019)

Updated December 2023

Electricians and plumbers have more in common than you might think. They’re both respected tradespeople. They both provide an essential service that will always be in demand. They’re both well paid and if they want, can go into business for themselves. 

So which trade should you choose? Should you become a plumber or an electrician? 

There’s always been debate over which of these trades is “better”. The truth is, there is no right answer. But, there are a few things you can think about, to help figure out which path fits you best. 

Here are seven key points to consider when making your decision. 

Pre-apprenticeship plumber students hard at work at Herzing College in Toronto 

Updated January 2024

Thinking about becoming a plumber and looking into pre-apprenticeship programs? Like most skilled tradespeople right now, plumbers are in demand—so it’s a smart career choice. 

Plumber instructor, Steve Dramnitzke at the Herzing College Cambridge Campus

Steve Dramnitzke is one of the most respected instructors at Herzing Trades (formerly known as the PAT Institute).

His extensive experience as a plumber, and proven abilities as a teacher, give students in his plumber program that extra “edge” after graduation.

We interviewed Steve to learn more about his background, and get an inside look at how he runs his classroom.