THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
WHY JOIN THE UA APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM?
Are you looking for a career that provides you with good wages, healthcare and retirement security? Are you an experienced professional looking for greater opportunities in your field? As members of the United Association, we build and keep America running every day. Our members work in a wide variety of industries—residential markets, commercial buildings, large and small industrial projects, pipeline and shipyards—and pursue many different career paths, including roles such as Foreman and Superintendent, Project Manager, and even Contractor Owner.
Members of the United Association have the opportunity to obtain an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, along with industry-recognized certifications, by taking advantage of the ongoing training opportunities provided by the UA—at little or no cost to you. Earn while you learn—there is no limit to what you can achieve! Discover your career path and certification options.
Career Paths and Certifications
UA WELDER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
The United Association established the UA Welder Training and Certification Program to provide comprehensive training and qualification for our member welders. The program trains and qualifies welders in the SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, Machine, Semi-Automatic, Automatic and Orbital Welding processes. Since its inception in 1993, the UA’s welder training and certification program has qualified over 45,000 welders. The flexible program can accommodate special requirements of project owners and contractors. An owner can request that welders be tested and certified for a specialized procedure that may be needed on a new or unique process. The UA WCP is accepted by owners and contractors, such as American Electric Power, British Petroleum, Entergy, Conoco-Phillips, Fluor, Ashland/Marathon, Commonwealth Edison, Shell Chemical, Black & Veetch and Bechtel.
UA PIPEFITTING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
For 125 years, the UA has trained pipefitters to meet the evolving needs of our industry; we are proud of the state-of-the-art training we provide our members, including the latest certifications and instruction in cutting-edge technologies and new trends in the many areas in which we work.
Our members can be found all across North America, working in single-family homes, high-rise apartment buildings, data centers, supermarkets, food warehousing and processing facilities, power plants, chemical installations, manufacturing facilities, waste water and water treatment plants, schools and hospitals.
UA PLUMBER AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
The skilled plumbers of the United Association are among the best trained and safest skilled tradespeople working in the building industry today. Our contractors and members are actively engaged in plumbing installation, repair, service and maintenance of piping and plumbing systems and equipment used for drinking (potable) water distribution, sanitary waste drainage, storm water systems and gas distribution. Our contractors and members also work on technical installations for medical gas in hospitals and nursing homes, hydronic in-floor heating, solar thermal panels, heat pumps, cross-connection control and many other systems necessary for the health and safety of the general public.
UA HVAC TECH AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Industrial, commercial, institutional and residential climate control systems—such as freezers and coolers in supermarkets and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in schools and shopping malls—are technologically advanced machines that require calibration and maintenance. Not only is it essential that this equipment keep working, but the high cost of energy requires that they operate as efficiently as possible.
UA HVAC service technicians install, maintain and repair all sizes of heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial applications and are experts in all of the various refrigeration systems that make it possible to store and transport food, medicine, and other perishable items.
APPRENTICESHIP FAQs
What is Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is occupational training that combines on-the-job experience with classroom instruction. Apprentices earn while they learn– their wages usually begin at 40% of the journeyman salary. Journeymen are individuals who have completed their training and hold industry certification.
Apprentices receive pay increases as they learn to perform more complex tasks. When they become a journeyman, they increase their chances of finding a well-paying job in the industry and may become supervisors or go into business for themselves.
Ready to Start Your Apprenticeship?
Common Questions Asked About The Apprenticeship Program
What Are The Minimum Educational Requirements?
Minimum education requirements are HS diploma or equivalent and 18 years old.
What Is The Application Process
Fill out our application, attach required copies of driver’s license, SS card, birth certificate, high school diploma, high school transcripts. Once all required paperwork is submitted and you have a complete file, you are then placed on a out-of-work list, and as we get manpower request for jobs, we call in the order your application was received. Once placed with a contractor you can enter our apprenticeship.
What Type Of Apprenticeships Are Offered?
The three main programs are pipefitting, plumbing and HVAC with many skill sets such as welding falling under these programs.
What Is The Cost Of Tuition
$1,100.00 Yearly
How Long Is The Apprenticeship
5 years to become a Journeyman. 2 days a week, 630pm to 930pm and every other Saturday from 7am to 5pm. September to April. Applicants can get credit from other schools or work experience by taking a hands on skill evaluation to determine credit to be given if any.
What Type Of Work Do Apprentices Do?
Apprentices will do many tasks directed by the Journeyman they work under in the pipefitting, plumbing and Hvac fields. This could be as simple as fire watching or figuring a complicated offset or miter in a piping system.
Do I Get Paid While In The Apprenticeship
No. Apprentices are paid by a contractor to work during the day, and attend classes after work on their own time.
How Much Money Do Apprentices Earn?
To view current wage rates, Click Here
Where Are The Jobs
The jobs are located in the local 10 jurisdiction: Richmond, Roanoke, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Danville, or anywhere in between. Local 10 covers about 75% of the state of Virginia.
Will I Be Required To Drive To These Jobs
It is the responsibility of the apprentice to get to and from work, as well as attend all required apprenticeship classes.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Job
That is based on work load of the contractors. As the man power requests come in, we fill the requests. Jobs can be for a day, a month, or longer, it is all dependent on work load of our contractors.
What Tools Will I Need
Employees will supply the following hand tools:
- 6′ rule
- 25′ tape
- channel locks
- 9″ level
- 10″ crescent wrench
Show up to work with these 5 tools, work boots, safety PPE
The Everyday Life Of The Apprentice (Video)
WAGE RATES
Each Union Branch Offers Excellent Pay, Medical Insurance, Vision, Dental, Pension Fund, Annuity Fund, Life Insurance, Prescription Card, Job Training and More!
RICHMOND PACKAGE
ROANOKE PACKAGE
JOIN THE APPRENTICESHIP
Please read the following and download the application to begin.
Requirements for Apprenticeship Program Application
In order for consideration to the apprenticeship program, applicants must furnish the following:
1. Application for the Plumbers & Steamfitters LU 10 J.A.T.C. Program
2. Copy of your high school transcripts (Sealed)
3. Copy of your High School Diploma or GED
4. Copy of your Social Security Card
5. Copy of your Driver’s License or valid state issued ID
6. Military transfer or discharge Form DD-214, if applicable.
For all application related questions, use the contact information on the application form.
Application
