Many homeowners are at a loss when their faucets and water heating systems experience problems. Most often, they would just call a plumber to fix things for them. As such, plumbing jobs will continue to be in demand moving forward. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that demand for plumbers will go up by more than 15 percent through 2018. Related positions that will experience favorable growth include pipelayers, pipefitters and steamfitters.

People planning to be part of the plumbing industry can get their training at technical schools or community colleges. The Penn Foster Career School offers a Plumber training program that will prepare students to become professionals in this field. Topics covered include interpreting construction drawings and specifications, assembling, installing, testing and maintaining plumbing systems, repairing and maintaining water heating systems as well as installing and troubleshooting the plumbing for dishwashers and other appliances.

Students at Penn Foster enrolled in the plumber training program are provided with the varied tools such as wrenches, pliers and a torpedo level for their hands-on training in plumbing repair. Graduates can choose to work for a construction firm, power plant or water treatment center that is involved in the installation, repair and maintenance of plumbing systems. They can also set up their own business or work for a well established plumbing business.

In 2008, more than 555,000 jobs were held by plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters with 56 percent of them involved in new construction, repair, modernization or maintenance work. The others worked for industrial, commercial and government agencies.

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