Accelerated Apprenticeship

Entrance Exam

Prior to acceptance into the PHCC-GSA-PUAC Training Facility Plumbing Apprenticeship and Trainee Program, the applicant must pass an entry level examination and oral interview.

Learn More About The Entrance Exam

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Accelerated Plumbing Apprenticeship Course

This specially designed accelerated apprenticeship course for plumbers with prior experience offers a crash course learning environment, focusing on reviewing current plumbing codes to enhance education and mastery for each academic year to meet the Skilled and Trained Workforce requirements. Upon completing each year's course, applicants are given the opportunity to take the Challenge Test corresponding to that class year.

Course Schedule: 2-week, 80-hour concentrated course held at the Sacramento training facility from 7:00 am-3:30 pm for two weeks.

Applicant requirements to be eligible for course enrollment:

18+ Years old.
High School diploma or GED Certificate.
Valid California driver’s license.
Be employed by a PHCC subscribing employer.
7,000+ hours of work experience is equal to 4+ years of plumbing experience.
Submit proof of work experience verified through W2 forms, working under C36 licensed contractor(s).
Applicant must be a new enrollee; current or former apprentices/trainees enrolled from 2017 and on are not eligible.

Former apprentices or trainees who have not been terminated due to disciplinary action are eligible to enroll in the accelerated course, provided they have sponsorship from a subscribing employer after a 365-day waiting period from the last day enrolled.

Former apprentice/trainee who have been terminated due to disciplinary actions are eligible to enroll, provided they have sponsorship from a subscribing employer after a 3-year waiting period from the termination date.

Trainees who graduated prior to 2017 may qualify for "indentured apprentice" status when applying for an accelerated course to fulfill Skilled and Trained Workforce criteria. All other conditions remain applicable.

Take the entrance exam, unless a complete archive file is located.
Applicants enrolled prior to 2008 must provide a transcript and progress report from the time of discharge.

Employers must be an active Subscribing Employer with current PHCC membership paid throughout the current year.

Applicants must achieve a test score of 70% or higher to progress to next year's course for further challenge tests, if applicable.

Upon passing a challenge test, 2,000 hours (1,800 OJT and 200 RSI) will be credited for each challenged year within the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-year apprenticeship programs. For the 4th year, 1,000 hours (900 OJT and 100 RSI) will be credited.

Subscribing employers may opt out of enrolling the applicant in the apprenticeship if the applicant fails the course.

This option will categorize the student as an Applicant, not indentured with the DAS through PHCC.
Applicants who do not pass any challenge tests during the accelerated apprenticeship may elect to opt out of enrollment into PHCC, thereby not enrolling in the PHCC apprenticeship until course completion and progressing to enrollment into the next available 4.2 class session.
These applicants will not be eligible for enrollment into the apprenticeship program unless they secure a passing score in years 1 through 3, as well as the first half of year 4.
This option must be chosen on the enrollment form at the time of initial enrollment and cannot be altered after submission.
Since the applicant is not enrolled until they pass all relevant challenge exams, they are not eligible for hotel reimbursement. Subscribing employers may be responsible for hotel expenses depending on geographical location.
Employers/Applicants opting out if applicants fail the course will not be enrolled into PHCC until successfully passing years 1-3 and 4.1 challenge tests. At which time, the applicant’s apprentice agreement will be filed with the DAS on the agreed-upon date.

Student Status:

Apprentice = Fully enrolled applicants are indentured after completing orientation, and fees are paid.
Applicant = Subscribing employer chose to opt out of enrollment in the apprenticeship if the applicant fails the course and is not enrolled in the PHCC apprenticeship. Applicants are not indentured with the DAS.

Based on how far the applicant is able to progress on challenge tests, they are scheduled for the next available class session.
Examples of progress through an accelerated course:

Applicant passes 1st year challenge test > continues course
Applicant passes 2nd year challenge test > continues course
Applicant passes 3rd year challenge test > continues course
Applicant passes 4.1 final exam > schedule into next 4.2 class

Students who do not pass years 1, 2, or 3 Challenge Tests are dismissed and will not progress in course instruction. Failure to pass any exam:

Applicant fails 1st year challenge test > schedule into next 1.1 class
Applicant fails 2nd year challenge test > schedule into next 2.1 class
Applicant fails 3rd year challenge test > schedule into next 3.1 class
Applicant fails 4.1 challenge test > schedule into next 4.1 class

Upon successfully passing the challenge tests for years 1 through 4, the apprentice is required to complete a minimum of six months in the apprenticeship program and attend a 4.2 class session at the PHCC-GSA Training Facility. This includes fulfilling the remaining 900 hours of the mandated 7,200 On-the-Job training hours and the remaining 100 of the required 800 classroom hours.

Course Fees:

Please contact PHCC for course pricing options
Multiple enrollment discount: applicant discount per course - $100/off per additional applicant enrolled in the same course. (ex. discount off 2nd & 3rd applicant)
In the event an applicant fails a challenge test, the employer will receive a partial refund of $400 for the enrollment fee for each year not enrolled.

Examples of partial refund from enrollment fee(s):

If an applicant fails the 1st-year challenge test: Refund of $1,200 ($400 x 3), schedule into the next 1.1 class.
If an applicant fails the 2nd-year challenge test: Refund of $800 ($400 x 2), schedule into the next 2.1 class.
If an applicant fails the 3rd-year challenge test: Refund of $400 ($400 x 1), schedule into the next 3.1 class.
If an applicant fails the 4.1-year challenge test: No refund is issued, schedule into the next 4.1 class.

For all questions and/or to request the Accelerated Enrollment form - contact the PHCC GSA Training Facility Monday - Thursday 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Fridays 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Call: (916) 640-0910

Email : info@phccgsa.org

Accelerated Plumbing Course Requirements