Photos: Jesse Munoz/COC

This spring, two local students took part in the College of the Canyons Community Plumbing Project, a first-of-its-kind service learning internship spearheaded by the college’s Plumbing Technology department and its industry advisory board.

As part of the project, COC plumbing technology students Phillip Griffin and Brandon Kugler-Harrison had the opportunity to work alongside professional journeymen plumbers to complete a two-day, multifaceted residential plumbing project at a private home in Santa Clarita.

The work focused on several badly needed plumbing renovations and replacements designed to help restore hot water access and bring the home’s water heater up to code, replace leaking pipes, re-plumb and relocate washer and drier hookups, eliminate improper drainage issues and ensure that the home’s overall plumbing system is operating efficiently.

Beginning with a project walk through in mid-March, Griffin and Kugler-Harrison were involved with every aspect of the project.

“They’ve surveyed the home and written a project scope, made a list of the tools and materials needed, outlined a project schedule, completed the permit process and drawn up a mock project estimate and proposal,” said Randy Winter, COC plumbing faculty member and owner of Randal Winter Construction, Inc., who has been one of the plumbing project’s main organizers.

“I want my students to be able to do everything associated with the project — from start to completion,” added Winter. “They’ve also maintained a daily work log, and submitted an evaluation survey to the homeowner.”

After the necessary prep work had been completed Griffin and Kugler-Harrison were joined by a journeyman plumber from Heys Plumbing to begin work on Tuesday, March 31. The labor portion of the project was wrapped up by week’s end, with the final inspection and project finalizations taking place later in April.

“By working on this project I’m learning to do all the hands-on stuff that I’ve either watched other people do or talked about in class,” said Kugler-Harrison. “It’s more work than I’ve ever done anywhere else, but I learn more by doing so I like it this way.”

Griffin also seemed to echo Kugler-Harrison’s feeling about working on the project.

“A lot of these jobs I’ve never had an opportunity to work on in a real house before — always just in the lab,” said Griffin, in reference to his time spent as part of the college’s plumbing technology program. “It’s been a great experience, but the best part is being able to help do something for somebody else.”

The 2015 College of the Canyons Community Plumbing project is a collaboration between the college’s Plumbing Technology department, the COC Cooperative Work Experience Education (CWEE) program, as well as several businesses and individuals associated with the college’s Plumbing Technology Advisory Board including: Dale Heys, owner of Heys Plumbing; Randy Winter, COC plumbing faculty and owner of Randal Winter Construction, Inc.; Dutch Rudolf, COC plumbing faculty and owner of D&D Plumbing; and Hirsch Pipe & Supply Co., Inc.

All of the materials, time and labor needed to undertake this project have been donated.

“This project is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Gina Bogna, the college’s Assistant Dean of Internships, Job Development & Career Center. “Our plumbing students earn hands-on industry experience while receiving college credit. The local businesses are able to give back to the community by donating their time, materials and industry expertise, and our host family will gain peace of mind in knowing they can rely on having a clean, efficient plumbing system in their home that will last for years to come.”

“We look forward to building on the success of this collaborative effort,” added Regina Blasberg, chair of the COC plumbing technology department, “and hope that our students will be able to gain from this experience as they take the next step in their career.”

More about the COC Plumbing Technology Program

The COC Plumbing Technology program has been designed to help address the current and long-term need for a sustainable workforce of well-trained and qualified plumbers throughout the state.

The college currently offers plumbing certificate programs in the areas of ‘New Construction’ and ‘Service and Repair.’ Both programs have been developed in collaboration with industry partners to ensure that instruction meets the industry’s various skill standards

Classes are held at the college’s state-of-the-art plumbing technology laboratory located inside in the Applied Technology Education Center (ATEC) on the college’s Canyon Country campus.

For more information about the COC Plumbing Technology Program please contact Kristin Houser at (661) 362-3408/ Kristin.houser@canyons.edu or visit www.canyons.edu.