removal, maintenance, extension and alteration of
plumbing systems, including all sanitary drainage,
storm drainage facilities, special wastes, vent
systems, water systems and gas piping. Pipefitters
(also called steamfitters) install piping on new or
existing projects in all types of industrial plants,
commercial buildings, hospitals, etc. Pipefitters
use a variety of materials, including carbon steel,
copper, cast iron, plastics, fiberglass, stainless
steel and other special alloys and types.
Pipefitters are often certified in welding.
There are three programs, each taking a different
timeframe to complete: residential plumber, three
years; HVAC (heating, ventilation & air
conditioning), four years; and building trades
plumber/pipefitter, five years. There are different
pay ranges for each field. The base apprentice wage
begins around $13/hour and the journey level worker
scale is in the $22-$34/hour range. Additional
benefits like medical, dental and vision insurance
and a retirement pension increase the total wage
value. Applications are taken year ‘round at the
Plumbers & Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship Training
office at 1150 Greg St. in Sparks.
▲ All applicants must be at least 17 years of
age.
▲ Applicants will need to show either a birth
certificate or valid passport and
their
Social Security card when they submit their
application.
▲ Applicants must possess a high school diploma
or its equivalent.
▲ Applicants must be physically capable of
performing the essential functions
of
the apprenticeship program and subsequent work.
▲ Apprentices must successfully pass a drug test
once they are accepted
into
and enter the program.
▲ The apprenticeship program offers equal
opportunity to all people regardless
of
race, age, color, gender, religion, nationality or
sexual orientation.
▲ A written basic math test and interview are
part of the application process.
▲ Once the application is completed, applicants
will be notified of the interview
time
and date. Interviews are usually held once a year,
in June, or as
needed.
The interview committee is comprised of members from
labor and
contractor
management.
▲ If accepted into the pool, an applicant remains
on the list for two years.
The program hopes to accept 10 to 20 new apprentices
annually.
Work
begins as soon as an apprentice is indentured.
▲ Classroom instruction runs from August to May,
two nights a week.
Residential
plumbers attend a minimum of 180 hours, building
trade
plumbers/pipefitters
have 246 hours of instruction a year, while HVAC
apprentices
have 144 hours a year.
▲ There is no cost for school for any of the
three programs; however book fees
will
be incurred.
▲ Basic hand tools must be purchased by
apprentices.
▲ Apprentices must have a valid driver’s license
and reliable transportation.
▲ Once an applicant is indentured as an
apprentice, they are expected to
become
a member of the Plumbers & Pipefitters Union, the
fees of which
are:
Initiation fees are: Residential plumber and HVAC,
$250; building
trades
plumber/pipefitter, $1,000. (These fees may be paid
in full or
set
up as a payroll deduction). The initiation fee may
be slightly
reduced
by attendance at union meetings.
Starting apprenticeship monthly dues for all three
programs are
approximately
$32. Additionally, supplemental dues of one to one
and
a half percent per hour worked, depending on the
program, are
accessed
for every apprentice or journey level worker.
