Brazing is ideally suited for joining of both similar and dissimilar metals and the process is performed at relatively high temperatures. Capillary action and operator skill insures the distribution of the filler metal into the joint, but even a properly designed joint can turn out imperfectly if the correct brazing process steps are not followed. 

This one-day workshop will introduce members to the various base metals, fluxes, filler metals and standard operating procedures that are required for our clients. Proper light-up and shut-down procedures for oxy-acetylene equipment will be discusses. Hands-on procedures will be demonstrated and practiced in the shop. Personal PPE is required.

Please be advised that priority will be given to our members who require this training for their scope of work.

**This class is limited to 10 participants**

• Taught by Brother Landon Martin and Sister Laura Veitch
• Saturday - 8 am - 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building Room 129D
• Spring 2025
• Lunch provided on Saturday by the JTC

A digital multimeter is an indispensable tool for testing, diagnosing, and troubleshooting electrical circuits, components, and devices. This workshop is intended to broaden the knowledge base for the Pipe Trades Journeyperson.

**This class is limited to a maximum of ten participants**

Please bring your own DMM for your use. We will also supply additional multimeters for use at the workshop.

• Taught by Brother John Gordon
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• Spring 2025
• Lunch provided by the JTC

Combustion (flue gas) analyzers allow the user to measure the concentrations of various gases in a gas appliance venting system, allowing the gasfitter to adjust gas-fired appliances to manufacturer's specifications, helping achieve optimal combustion and ensuring safe operation.

This workshop is intended to broaden the knowledge base for the Pipe Trades Journeyperson.

**This class is limited to a maximum of ten participants**

Please bring a flue gas analyzer if you can get one for this workshop. We will also supply analyzers for use at the workshop.

• Taught by Brother John Gordon
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• Spring 2025
• Lunch provided by the JTC

The importance to be able to carry out gas service work safely and confidently is paramount to the reliable operation of gas appliances and to the safety of our clients.

This Saturday class is intended for members in good standing who currently hold a valid Class B Gasfitter C of Q or an Appliance Service Technician (Class C) Gasfitter C of Q.

This course will provide learners with the skills and knowledge required to diagnose and repair faults on domestic and commercial gas-fired appliances. Proper use of multimeters, flue gas analysis equipment and other diagnostic tools will be discussed and demonstrated.

**This class is limited to a maximum of ten participants**

This training session will take place at Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Rd.

Please bring your own DMM for your use. We will also supply additional multimeters for use at the workshop.

• Taught by Sister Andrea Durdle
• 8 am – 4 pm
• Spring 2025
• Lunch provided by the JTC

Poly Fusion is the process of joining thermoplastic pipe using heat and pressure. This method is commonly associated with joining high-density polyethylene (HDPE) but is also common for other thermoplastics such as polypropylene (i.e. Aquatherm).

These processes are used by our contractors for utility water piping, gas utility mains as well as many other commercial and industrial applications. Brother Dennis Morris is factory trained by Aquatherm and McElroy and is a National Resource Trainer for NAUSC (National Association of Union Schools and Colleges).

*This class has been postponed to Spring 2025*

• Taught by Brother Dennis Morris
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building
• Spring 2025
• Lunch and materials provided by the JTC

Revit is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) software capable of allowing users to create, edit and review 3D models in exceptional detail. Autodesk Revit is used by many architects, engineers and contractors to develop intelligent 3D models that include real-world information.

We will be using Revit to draw pipe and fittings in a 3D model space, learning basic commands and completing a couple of simple piping projects within the software. We will also be discussing how the program can be used to generate material take-offs and spool drawings, incorporated into BIM through software such as Navisworks and Revisto, and enhanced with add-on software such as Victaulic Tools and CAD Learning. 

• Taught by Brother Alasdair Reid and other guest members
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building
• Spring 2025
• Lunch and materials provided by the JTC

This one day introductory rigging course is intended to familiarize members with safe rigging practices. There will be demonstrations and participation in the shop, including:

• Inspect rigging equipment for damage
• Identify and select that appropriate hardware for specific rigging applications
• Identify and select that appropriate slings for specific rigging applications
• Perform basic load calculations
• Identify different types of cranes and their basic setup
• Set up and execute basic lifts in the shop including:
  • single-choker
  • double-choker
  • basket
  • balanced three-point
  • transfer
  • invert

Safety footwear, hi-vis vests, safety glasses and hard hats are required.

• Taught by Brothers Rod Lidstone, Al Paterson and/or Landon Martin
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun College Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building
• Spring 2025

Lunch and Materials provided by the JTC

***This class is limited to a maximum of ten participants**

Pre-Requisites:

Must be a UA Local 324 Member in good standing. Apprentices must have completed Level 1 or Foundations training before registering for this course.

Members will learn the basic terminology, applications and operations of Robotic Total Stations as well as scanning equipment.

Following the classroom session, attendees will have hands-on opportunities to set-up and operate Total Stations from Leica, Hilti and Trimble as we work through a basic layout project.

• Taught by Brother Alasdair Reid and other guest members
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building
• Spring 2025
• Lunch and materials provided by the JTC

While it is true that tubing can take on an artistic appearance when bending is done well, the real art of bending tubing lies in the operator’s ability to overcome the variables inherent to the bending application.

The purpose of this one-day Saturday training program is to learn various methods of tube bending, as well as several tips and shortcuts that will help to take some of the mystery out of bending tubing.

*This class has been postponed to Spring 2025*

• Taught by Brother Dennis Morris
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building
• Spring 2025
• Lunch and materials provided by the JTC

The NAUSC ITM (Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems) Certification was developed to aid in the education and training of those employed within the field of inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems. 

This program is not intended to supersede the procedures and methodology established by contractors but rather to emphasize recognition of the requirements and experiences involved with such work. With the support of contractors and CASA, the NAUSC ITM certification program can help reduce the liability and anxiety associated with inspections.

Prerequisites:

• Must be a Journeyperson member of UA Local 324 in good standing
• 100% attendance is required for all NAUSC courses as per UA Canada

o Taught by Brothers Ron Perkin and Andy Wilson
o 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
o Lunch and Materials provided by the JTC

Spring 2025

CERTIFICATION: On successful completion, each student will be issued a NAUSC certificate.

On successful completion, each student will be issued a NAUSC (National Association of Union Schools and Colleges) national certification.

Prerequisites:

• Must be a Journeyperson member of UA Local 324 in good standing
• 100% attendance is required for all NAUSC courses as per UA Canada

• Taught by Brothers Dave Small and Derek Meadows
• Saturdays: 8 am – 4 pm
• Next course starts January 2025
• Location: Camosun College (Interurban Campus)- John Drysdale building
• Course materials provided by the JTC

PARKER EO Progressive Ring, bite-type fittings were pioneered by Ermeto in Germany in the early 1930’s. When PARKER acquired Ermeto, it introduced the EO fittings to North America. Today, the EO fittings are the most widely used bite-type fittings in the world. The three components of EO fittings are designed and manufactured to produce a strong, reliable, leak-free joint upon proper assembly.

This 4-hour workshop is intended for our shipyard members, and other members who work with these types of fittings.

Members will learn about the function of EO progressive ring fittings, their proper assembly and installation, and correct tube recommendations. Additionally, the features, advantages and benefits of the EO line of connection methods will be discussed and demonstrated.

**This class is limited to 10 participants**

• Taught by Karl Enns, Territory Manager from PARKER Canada
• 8 am - 1 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building Room 138
• Fall 2025
• Lunch will be provided by the JTC

The goal of this program is to prepare our members to challenge the Red Seal Plumber Exam. This course is intended for members who have already completed their Plumber apprenticeship training or for members who wish to challenge the Red Seal Plumber exam. This course requires serious dedication by the student (minimum 6 weeks of study) and is not intended for members unable to make this commitment.

These sessions will be delivered Thursday evenings online and members will require a laptop or tablet with a reliable internet connection. Members will have face-to-face instruction some Saturdays at Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria.

Red Seal Plumber Exam Areas of Study:

• Occupational Skills
• Prepare & Assemble Pipe
• Sewers & Drain, Waste and Venting Systems
• Water Service
• Fixtures & Water Treatment
• Steam & Hydronic Heating and Cooling Systems
• Specialized Systems

Prerequisites:

• Must be a member of UA Local 324 (apprentice or Journeyperson) in good standing
• This course is intended for our Plumber members who have not yet passed their Red Seal exam or for those who hold an existing trade qualification in Refrigeration & AC, Steamfitting, Sprinkler Fitting or other related pipe trades occupation with experience acceptable to SkilledTradesBC *Minimum 4,950 hours of directly relater work experience
• *Members must submit a successful application to ITA to write the Plumber Red Seal Exam (visit: https://skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-skilled-trade)  
• *Members will schedule their own Red Seal Examination date with ITA

• Taught by Brothers Andy Wilson and Josh Stull
• Thursday evenings: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm ONLINE
• Saturdays: 8 am - 4 pm at Camosun Pipe Trades
• Spring 2025

Rinnai™ is the world leader in tankless water heaters. Since 2017, Rinnai has more than doubled and expanded its staff across Canada, created a new state-of-the-art research and innovation center, and opened the first North American-based tankless manufacturing facility in Georgia. 

This class will be taught by Rinnai’s Western Technical Service Manager and Camosun Pipe Trades Alumni, Devan Moore, and will prepare you for a wide variety of installation and service scenarios. Whether you’re a seasoned professional when it comes to tankless, or you’re just getting started, this class will teach you the latest in Rinnai technology.

Topics will include:

• Basics of Installation
• Setting Parameters
• How to Handle Fault Codes
• Servicing of Units
• Hybrid Systems
• Most Common Tech Support Calls

Members will come away from this course with a great understanding of how to handle Rinnai’s residential and commercial units and well as the confidence to resolve any customer’s issues.

• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• Spring 2025
• Training materials & Lunch provided by Rinnai

Pre-Requisite: Must be a UA Local 324 Journeyperson in good standing

This one day course is a great way to prepare for the NAUSC ITM (Inspection, Testing and Maintenance) course and will include safety related to fire pump installation and service, fire pump installation requirements, fire pump component function and installation. The day will conclude with flow testing a fire pump and plotting a pump curve. 

Participants will be supplied with a NFPA 20 Code Book.

• Taught by Brothers Ron Perkin/Andy Wilson
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building
• Spring 2025
• Lunch provided by the JTC

This course is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the sprinkler system mechanical room and will include various dry pipe valves, preaction and deluge systems, wet systems, accelerators, air maintenance devices and more. We will cover installation requirements and spend a large part of the day trip testing, resetting, servicing and inspecting many different types of system valves and accelerators. 

**This class is limited to a maximum of ten participants**

It is recommended you bring your own copy of a NFPA 13 Code Book to this class.

• Taught by Brothers Ron Perkin/Andy Wilson
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building
• Fall 2025
• Lunch provided by the JTC

The goal of this program is to prepare our members to challenge the Red Seal Steamfitter/Pipefitter Exam. This course requires serious dedication by the student (minimum 10 weeks of study) and is not intended for members unable to make this commitment.

Many of these sessions will be delivered online and members will require a laptop with a reliable internet connection.

Red Seal Steamfitter Exam Areas of Study:

• Occupational Skills
• Drawing & Specifications
• Fabrication
• Rigging & Hoisting
• Steam Principles & Utilization
• Heating, Cooling & Process Piping
• Renewable Energy systems
• Testing & Commissioning
• Maintenance & Repair

Prerequisites:

• Must be a member of UA Local 324 in good standing
• This course is intended for Steamfitter members who have not yet passed their Red Seal exam or for those who hold an existing trade qualification in Plumbing, Sprinkler Fitter or other related pipe trades occupation with experience acceptable to SkilledTradesBC *Minimum 4,950 hours of directly relater work experience
• **Members must submit a successful application to ITA to write the Steamfitter/Pipefitter Red Seal Exam (visit: https://www.itabc.ca/program/steamfitter-pipefitter) 
• **Members will schedule their own Red Seal Examination date with ITA

• Taught by UA 324 Instructors
• Wednesdays: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
• Saturdays: 8 am – 3 pm
• Location: ONLINE or at Camosun College (Interurban Campus)- John Drysdale Building Room 138
• Course materials provided by the JTC

Next offering is proposed for Spring 2025

As the originators and world leaders in mechanical coupling technology, Victaulic™ is a major partner with the United Association in both the USA and Canada.

This class will be taught by Vancouver Island's Senior Sales Manager, Scott McDonald, and will introduce you to all the best practices for proper installation. Whether you’ve been familiar with Victaulic for years, or you’ve just started installing their products, this class will teach you the latest and greatest in grooved-fitting technologies.

Topics will include:

• Pipe Preparation and Grooving Specifications
• Important Gasket and Lubricant Information
• Rigid & Flexible Systems
• Installation Ready™ Couplings
• Valve installations Tips... and more

• 8 am – 3 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• Spring 2025
• Training materials & Lunch provided by Victaulic & the JTC

Pre-Requisites: Must be a UA Local 324 Journeyperson or Apprentice in good standing

This certification program is designed to provide consistent training for all Stewards across Canada and to emphasize the UA Standard for Excellence and the Steward’s critical role in its success. Stewards will gain a strong understanding of their role in working with the supervision in the workplace environment. 

Other topics that are covered include workplace law and the historical background on unions with discussion on how they relate to the role of a working union steward.

On successful completion, each student will be issued a NAUSC (National Association of Union Schools and Colleges) national certification.

Prerequisites:

• Must be a Journeyperson member of UA Local 324 in good standing
• 100% attendance is required for all NAUSC courses as per UA Canada

• Taught by Sister Andrea Durdle
• *Updated dates* September 7 & 14, 2024
• Location: Camosun College (Interurban Campus)- John Drysdale building
• Course materials provided by the JTC

CERTIFICATION: On successful completion, each student will be issued a NAUSC certificate.

Nearly 90 NFPA codes and standards are referenced in Canada’s model codes, including NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. When referenced, NFPA codes and standards become legally enforceable parts of adopted codes in BC and Canada.

This class will lead you through all the expected code changes and best practices that are specified from local Engineers who often design these systems.

It is recommended you bring your own copy of a NFPA 13 2019 Code Book to this class. Copies will also be provided.

• Taught by Brother Andy Wilson & Jon Edgell, PEng
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building
• September 14, 2024
• Lunch provided by the JTC

Members are responsible to renew their CCC Backflow Tester's Certification with the BC Water and Waste Association every 5 years. This 2-day Saturday workshop and Exam opportunity will prepare members to attempt the BCWWA recertification written and practical exams to test the RP, DCVA and PVB assemblies.

Saturday #1 - will be training and practice in the Pipe Trades cross connection lab. Review materials will be provided. Members will have 2 weeks to prepare for the written and practical BCWWA exam.

Saturday #2 - (2 weeks later) will be the BCWWA-proctored written and practical exam session. Members must also sign up and pay for their own BCWWA exam here: https://bcwwa.org/client/event/roster/eventRosterDetails.html?productId=9019&eventRosterId=23 

*Members will be refunded their exam fee by the JTC upon evidence of successful completion*

• Taught by Sister Andrea Durdle
• 8 am – 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• Training/Practice Session: October 5, 2024
• CCC Recertification Exam Opportunity: October 19, 2024
• Canadian AWWA CCC Manual , Materials & Lunch provided by the JTC

This course is intended for our Journeyperson and Apprentice Plumber members and will focus on the most current National & BC Plumbing Code applications. Members will practice utilizing the Code while working with schematic drawings that reinforce acceptable sizing practices for water piping systems, as well as drainage and venting systems. The new 2020 National Plumbing Code will be introduced and members will each receive their own copy.

Sessions will take place at Camosun College Pipe Trades, John Drysdale Building, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC

o Taught by Brother Andy Wilson

o 8 am – 4 pm

o October 5 & 12, 2024

o Lunch and Materials provided by the JTC

Pre-Requisites: Must be a UA Local 324 Plumber member in good standing- Journeyperson or min. Level 2 apprentice

Pipe fabrication includes all processes of bending, cutting, threading, bevelling, and welding piping components. 

Piping fabrication is a critical activity requiring high precision which may often involve hundreds of components and processes. Pipe fabrication projects within construction projects must be adequately planned, scheduled, and executed according to tight specification requirements.

This short course will consist of a Wednesday evening (3 hours - online) and a full Saturday (8 hours) of fabrication work in the shop.

Wednesday Evening (online; 6 pm - 9 pm)- Math refresher and general layout and theory.  We will review basic trigonometry and discuss fabrication of mitred joints, advanced bending of carbon steel, and rolling offsets calculations.

Saturday (full day; 8 am - 4 pm) This day we will transfer our learning to layout and project work, including cut-back of 90 degree elbows into custom angles. Also, working in small groups, you will complete a bending project in our mock ship’s hull. You'll also have the ability to layout mitres on straight pipe to make site-fabricated fabricated fittings with lots of hands-on activities.

**This class is limited to 8 participants**

Participants will be supplied with The Pipe Fabricator's Blue Book and The Pipe Fitter's Field Book.

• Taught by Brothers Landon Martin and Al Paterson
• Wednesday Oct. 16 - 6 pm - 9 pm Online (link will be provided)
• Saturday Oct. 19 - 8 am - 4 pm @ Camosun Pipe Trades, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC
• John Drysdale Building Room 138
• Fall 2025
• Lunch provided on Saturday by the JTC

This is a CSA Certification program. This program has been developed by NAUSC and CSA Group in conjunction with industry stakeholders to provide assurance that an individual possesses the competencies deemed necessary to perform the job function of a Medical Gas Piping and Systems Installer.

This course will utilize the 2017 CAN/CSA Z7396 Standard (provided).

Prerequisites:

• Must be a Journeyperson member of UA Local 324 in good standing
• 100% attendance is required for all NAUSC courses as per UA Canada

Members MUST have a laptop or similar compatible device to be able access the content in this course.

• Taught by Brothers Alasdair Reid and Darren Hall
• 8 am – 4 pm
• October 19, 26 & November 2, 9, 16, 2024
• (1st Saturday) October 19 Brazing Practical Requirement 
• (3 Saturdays) ONLINE, Instructor-led theory
• (Last Saturday) November 16 Final Exam (Computer Based) **written @ Camosun College** 
• Lunch, CSA Code Books and all Materials provided by the JTC

CERTIFICATION: On successful completion, each student will be issued a NAUSC certificate.

This one day class is intended for our Journeyperson and Apprentice Plumber members and will focus on the most current National & BC Plumbing Code applications. Members will practice utilizing the Code while working with schematic drawings that reinforce acceptable sizing practices for water piping systems, as well as drainage and venting systems.

*This training session will take place at the UA 324 Nanaimo office.

o Taught by Brother Andy Wilson

o 8 am – 4 pm

o October 26 & November 02, 2024

o Lunch and Materials provided by the JTC

Pre-Requisites: Must be a UA Local 324 Plumber member in good standing- Journeyperson or min. Level 2 apprentice