15 Plumbing Apprenticeship Interview Questions to Ask New Recruits

Common Interview Questions 

1. Tell me about any previous work experience, and why you want to become an apprentice plumber at our company.

2. What are your immediate and long-term goals as a plumber?

3. Tell me about any top achievements at your previous jobs or school, and how did you attain them? 

4. Why did you leave your last job?

5. Do you have a valid driver's license, and can you pass a criminal background check?

6. Can you email us a list of references?

Plumbing interview questions help hiring managers determine an apprentice's general skill set, assess their character traits, and evaluate soft skills, such as showing up on time, bringing the right equipment, communicating clearly with homeowners, and cleaning up after themselves. 

While finding the perfect apprentice to develop into a journeyman or master plumber can be difficult, asking the right questions helps to narrow the field. Apprentices may have little or no experience working in the plumbing field, and that’s okay.

1. Tell me about your previous work experience, and why you want to become an apprentice plumber at our company.

What’s the best “Why are you applying for an apprenticeship” answer? It probably mirrors the one Breault supplied above: You like to help people solve problems, and you want to earn good pay for a job well-done. 

Unless your apprentice worked in the plumbing section at a hardware store or helped clear clogged drains at home, their work experience probably includes few plumbing-related activities. But that’s not what you’re looking for in an apprentice. You want someone with an aptitude for problem solving, an enthusiasm to learn, and a willingness to provide great customer service. 

Also, listen for indicators that the candidate conducted a job search by researching your company on social media, visiting your website, or asking current employees about your company. Pay special attention to why they want to work for your company, so you can use those answers as selling points to attract other apprenticeship candidates.

2. What are your immediate and long-term goals as a plumber?

When you hire a plumbing apprentice, think of it as making a long-term investment in your business. Look for job seekers who demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills, and express a clear interest in starting a plumbing career.

Working as a plumber offers numerous benefits, from job security to better pay, and this is your chance to create a job description that helps mold the next generation of plumbing professionals.

3. Tell me about your top achievements at previous jobs or school,  and how did you attain them?

Absenteeism and tardiness cost plumbing companies money and sap morale. Employees who get asked to train others and lead teams generally show up for work. Those who achieve in various areas and get promoted, especially after a short period, are typically self-starters who want to achieve at your company.

4. Why did you leave your last job, and what attracts you to us?

Again, look for someone with a drive to achieve more, and someone who knows a little about your company and mission. Applicants who were fired, or who resented their coworkers at their last three jobs, should raise a red flag for hiring managers. Listen to how they answer your plumber interview questions, and try to determine whether they’ll be happy at your company.

5. Do you have a valid driver's license, and can you pass a criminal background check?

Apprentices need to show up for work, and they may drive your company vehicles, so they need a valid driver’s license. Your company pays liability insurance to cover all employees, including apprentice plumbers. You may also require apprentices to pass a criminal background check before hiring them for on-the-job training.

6. Can you email us a list of references? 

Ask for specific information about references, such as addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses. Plus, give them a deadline to see how they follow simple directions. If they miss the deadline, fail to provide the information you requested, or show an obvious lack in communication skills, take a moment to reconsider. The same deficiencies may show up later in their work.

Behavioral/Situational Questions

1. Tell me about a time an employer or teacher gave you unclear instructions for a project and how you approached it.

2. Explain a situation with a customer that could have gone badly, and how you provided excellent customer service.

3. What's the worst thing you could do when faced with a cranky coworker, and how did you defuse tense situations with coworkers in the past?

4. How important is safety during your daily work, and how do you ensure a safe work environment?

Some of your apprenticeship interview questions should expose the job seeker's attitudes about himself, coworkers, customers, safety, adaptability, integrity, and leadership. These questions let the interviewer go deeper and determine if a candidate is the right fit for their company. Look for great communicators and problem solvers.

1. Tell me about a time an employer or teacher gave you unclear instructions for a project and how you approached it.

The answer should be specific, and highlight interpersonal problem-solving skills, a cooperative and positive approach in dealing with others, and a willingness to take responsibility to see a project through.

2. Explain a situation with a customer that could have gone badly, and how you provided excellent customer service.

The answer should help you understand the candidate’s commitment to customer service, how they show adaptability in tense situations, and how far they’ll go to make a client happy. Plumbers are the face of your company, and it’s important to select personable candidates with good communication skills. 

3. What's the worst thing you could do when faced with a cranky coworker, and how did you defuse tense situations with coworkers in the past?

This question gauges emotional intelligence, a valuable soft skill for a peaceful work environment. An emotionally intelligent candidate will seek to understand the coworker’s perspective and consider ways to reach an amicable solution. Someone who doesn’t want to listen or cooperate may not be a good fit for your company.

4. How important is safety during your daily work, and how do you ensure a safe work environment?

You’re responsible for paying the truck and liability insurance for employees, so be sure this answer falls in line with your company's culture and policies. Candidates should prioritize safety for themselves and the entire team, and voice a desire to follow standard plumber safety practices and company policies. 

Technical Skills Questions

1. Tell me about the tools plumbers use and how they use them.

2. How much do you understand about working with mechanical systems?

3. Tell me about a time that you solved a mechanical problem, how you diagnosed it, and the steps you took to remedy the situation.

Apprentices may have little direct experience in plumbing, but they should at least know some parts of a plumbing system, such as how to distinguish between a faucet and shower head. 

1. Tell me about the tools plumbers use and how they use them

Plumbing tools can be as simple as a pipe wrench, pliers, or flange plunger. Or they may be more specific to the trade, such as a sink auger, tubing cutter, PVC pipe expander, or snake machine. Apprentice applicants can even explain what they know about hot water and drain cleaners to give you a glimpse into their preparedness and natural aptitude.

2. How much do you understand about working with mechanical systems?

Again, apprentices may not give plumbing-specific answers, but they may be a champion of building model railroads or operating their own hobby brewery. Previous jobs and interests reveal naturally curious, analytical, innovative, creative, and practical thinkers—all of whom are well suited to a plumbing career.

3. Tell me about a time when you solved a mechanical problem, how you diagnosed it, and the steps you took to remedy the situation. 

This isn't a stumper question, but it will illustrate how an apprentice might approach complex situations. They should articulate how to solve a mechanical problem systematically and logically. You’ll want to select a candidate who enjoys a challenge.

Technology Questions

1. How have you used mobile technology on the job?

2. What digital tools have you used to explain buying options to a customer?

Smart technology controls everything, from water heaters to entire plumbing and HVAC systems, these days. And plumbing companies increasingly employ mobile technology and field management software to track performance and grow their businesses. Apprentice plumbers must be comfortable with technology, and willing to try new tools.

1. How have you used mobile technology on the job?

Plumbing companies rely on technology to streamline business operations and maximize plumber efficiency, especially when dispatching technicians, creating job estimates, or collecting customer payments. This question lets you gauge a candidate’s knowledge of technology, attitude toward using it, and how much training they’ll need to become proficient. 

2. What digital tools have you used to explain buying options to a customer?

Plumbers must clearly describe the problem and all applicable solutions to clients. Modern plumbing software like ServiceTitan helps techs illustrate good-better-and-best options to customers in a digital format, so they can make more informed buying decisions. Apprentices don’t need to know how to use the software, but they should be willing to learn.

How Do I Get Paid to Learn on the Job?

1. Describe the ideal working environment for reaching your plumbing apprenticeship goals.

Use the interview to find top apprentice candidates with potential, then sell your company culture to them. Apprentice plumbers get paid to work on the job, and they graduate debt-free, usually with a full-time job already lined up. Tell them about the training and support your company has to offer.

A plumbing apprentice who describes goals that include learning from and growing with your company is more likely to stay, and can help you save money on high turnover or wasted training. 

And just as an applicant’s answers should reveal information about their motives and talent, your answers to their questions should entice them to want to work on your team. Answer their questions honestly and introduce information about pay, perks, and other incentives your company offers to reward employees for high performance, loyalty, and good communication.