College of the Canyons officials will host an information session for students and community members interested in learning more about the educational opportunities and career pathways associated with the college’s new plumbing technology program from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, at the Applied Technology Education Center (ATEC) plumbing lab, Room 707, located on the college’s Canyon Country campus.

At the event attendees will hear from local plumbing contractors about the industry’s current job market, many specialized job sectors and the dire need for more skilled plumbers to join the profession. Potential salary ranges, a long-term employment outlook and the day-to-day responsibilities of plumbing technicians will also be discussed.

Information about the college’s two recently developed plumbing technology certificate programs — Plumbing Technician, New Construction and Plumbing Technician, Service & Repair — and the college’s state of the ATEC facility and plumbing laboratories will highlight the presentation.

“The college’s plumbing programs are designed to help address the state’s current and long-term need for a sustainable workforce of well-trained and qualified plumbers,” said Kristin Houser, dean of Career Technical Education (CTE) at the college. “All of our courses have been developed in collaboration with our industry partners to ensure that the combination of classroom and hands-on instruction students receive meets the industry’s various skill standards.”

In fact, it is estimated that in the Los Angeles region alone there will be need for more than 15,000 new and replacement plumbers through 2018.

As one of only two community colleges in the Los Angeles region to offer a plumbing technology program — and one of only seven community colleges statewide — College of the Canyons is poised to help meet this tremendous industry need.

Coursework for both plumbing technology programs will be offered at College of the Canyons in fall 2013,with certificate approval by the state Chancellor’s office anticipated in the fall 2014 semester.

For more information about the COC plumbing technology information session or to RSVP to attend please contact Kristin.houser@canyons.edu or call 661-362-3408.