The San Juan County Economic Development Council will offer free training in plumbing basics this January.

The course will be taught at Orcas Island High School by Jeff Morris of Morris Plumbing and Heating and by Orcas Island High School vocational and woodworking instructor Brett McFarland.

The program is intended to benefit participating students as well as local plumbing companies in need of skilled employees. The hands-on curriculum has been designed for students and career changers and will include a history of plumbing, career information, tool usage, standard plumbing code, safety, and more. This course is free to residents of San Juan County, but space is limited and requires both registration and a filing fee of $10.

The course will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays from Jan. 28-March 20. There is no cost for the training; pre-registration and a $10 filing fee is required. The deadline to apply is Monday, Jan. 21.

To apply, visit the EDC’s website at www.sanjuansedc.org/trades. For more information call the EDC office at 360-378-2906 or email EDC Trades Coordinator at glenn@sanjuansedc.org.

This program is sponsored by Walt Corbin, the Orcas Island Community Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Orcas Island, Orcas Island School District and by Jeff Morris Plumbing & Heating. The EDC’s Trades Education Initiative is additionally supported by San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island School District, Heritage Bank and Islanders Bank.