Beginning in early June, the Office of Economic Development at SRTC- Bainbridge will offer a streamlined training track to one of the fastest-rising jobs in America. While the average growth rate for all occupations is around 5 percent, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment opportunities for plumbers to grow 14 percent over the next decade, much faster than the average for all occupations. New construction and building maintenance and repair should drive demand for these workers.

Additionally, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that by mid-2018, the median pay for a professional plumber was $53,910 per year, or $25.92 per hour nationwide. That wage is nearly twice the median household income for the Southwest Georgia area, which is why Director of Economic Development Susanne Reynolds is excited to offer the area’s first three-month credentialed plumbing course.

“We are here to create great opportunities in Southwest Georgia,” said Reynolds. “We designed this program to meet the needs of working adults who are ready for a change. By offering classes on the evenings and weekends, individuals can pursue an exciting new career in plumbing without having to take time off work.”

The Plumbing Professional program is designed to introduce trainees to installation, maintenance, and repair of many different types of pipe systems. Topics include plumbing safety, tools of the plumbing trade, plumbing math, plumbing drawings, plastic pipe and fittings, copper tube and fittings, cast-iron pipe and fittings, carbon steel pipe and fittings, plumbing fixtures, DWV (drain, waste, and vent) systems, and water distribution systems.