Why choose a Red Seal Endorsed Plumber?
Why should you care if the plumber you hire in Winnipeg Manitoba has their Red Seal Endorsement, or works for a company that supports the apprenticeship program? “I think it’s important, especially for service calls. You don’t want just anybody showing up at your door. You want somebody who knows what they are doing and has the experience and knowledge base to get the job done right the first time,” says Alandra Kreshweski, Journeywoman Plumber with Next-Gen Plumbing and Heating.
The Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program is a program that sets a standard to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada. “That’s going to set the bar / set the standard of what you need to know / what you should know in order to correctly perform your job as it relates to plumbing and HVAC,” says Nicholas Pirotton Owner of Next-Gen Plumbing and Heating in Winnipeg.
For young plumbers like Shay Koifman-Chagin the apprenticeship program presents the opportunity to work and attend school. “I work for Next-Gen Plumbing and Heating but I’ve also been going to Red River College for the level one apprenticeship level going into level two,” says Shay.
“So basically there are four levels,and once you complete your fourth level that will be the last level you complete for school” says Alandra who just finished her fourth level. After completing the four levels she had the opportunity to take her Red Seal Exam and passed. She is now a Red Seal Endorsed (RSE) Journeywoman Plumber.
Plumbers like Alandra and Shay do not work during the months while they are in the classroom. This portion of the program is administered by participating colleges like Red River College in Winnipeg. Once apprentices complete a classroom level they return to work to earn money and complete the hands-on portion of their training before advancing to the next level.
“I had a job with Next-Gen Plumbing and Heating prior to going to school and then coming out of school I came back to work for them,” says Alandra. It’s a good company to work for because they support their employees going to school, they don’t hold them back.”
“I think when hiring a plumbing company it is important to understand if they support an apprenticeship program because that promotes quality control in the plumbing and heating industry,” says Shay.
“We like our plumbers to complete all their levels,” says Nicholas. “Once they have done that they are ready to get out into a van and lead a crew doing quality work for the people of Winnipeg.”
Before you hire anyone to touch your plumbing, consider asking them if their company hires RSE plumbers and supports an apprenticeship program. You have a right to know who is working in your home. Hiring qualified plumbers supports good paying jobs and quality workmanship here in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Canada. Thanks for your time and have a great day.