Local 38's Apprenticeship Program is comprised of plumbing, steam fitting and refrigeration sections. Apprentices are members of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada, and graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to count themselves among the very best plumbers, steam fitters, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics in the world.
To become one of Local 38's Craft Certified technicians, an apprentice must successfully complete 10,000 hours of combined classroom and on-the-job training. Apprentices start out making a percentage of the Union journey-level wage, and receive pay increases at the end of each six-month training period. They must attend evening classes on a weekly basis (with summers off) throughout the training period.
Apprentices receive instruction in job safety and the fundamental skills required for working with the tools of the pipe trades. As apprentices advance through the program, their on-the-job training is supplemented with classroom instruction. Plumbing, Steamfitting and HVAC/R classroom topics include: pipe trades mathematics, drawings & blueprints, detailing, codes & regulations, control systems, hydronics, hands on training labs, and more. We use the latest technologies in both classroom and shop classes.
