What is an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship is a structured system of training designed to prepare individuals for occupation in skilled trades and crafts. It combines on-the-job training under the supervision of experienced journeyman workers with related classroom instruction. Apprentices who successfully complete the prescribed number of hours of training in a registered apprenticeship program are awarded certificates of completion.

 

What Does Apprenticeship Offer?

Workers who complete apprenticeship programs can expect to hold good jobs at good pay. Their skills are a source of personal satisfaction as well as employment security. Statistics show that graduates earn higher wages, have more stable work records, and are promoted sooner and more often than workers who have not been trained through apprenticeship programs.

All apprentices receive FREE 5 years of related instruction at the Local 60 Training Center as a registered apprentice with the US Department of Labor Bureau, of Apprenticeship and Training. Apprentices also receive good pay and benefits while working for the contractors they are sent to work with by the Joint Apprentice Committee. At the successful completion of the 5 years of instruction and on-the-job training, each apprentice will be eligible to receive up to 32 college credits FREE. The college credits may be applied to a Associates degree in a technical degree field relating to construction. The Apprentice may take other required courses to complete a degree on their own at a college while serving an apprenticeship and use the apprenticeship credits earned (after they complete the apprenticeship) to graduate with an Associates degree at the same time they complete the apprenticeship program. The only cost is for the courses the college requires to complete the degree.

Plumbers, Steamfitters and HVAC

A plumber is a skilled crafts-person that designs, estimates, installs, services and repairs pipe systems that convey water, waste drainage, natural and medical related gases. They join pipes and install fixtures and appliances such as: bathtubs, toilets, dishwashers, and water heaters. Often they design these systems or they may work from blueprints and drawings. They have the very important job of proctors of the public by helping to keep water safe.

Steamfitters install, service and repair piping systems for power generation, pharmaceutical and semi-conductor manufacturing, food processing and refrigeration, petroleum refinery and chemical and petrochemical processing. Steamfitters possess welder certifications and credentials that are required to perform high-demand weld processes.

An HVACR Technician installs, services and repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning, building automation, and refrigeration systems in schools, hospitals, hotels, motels, airports, malls, high-rise offices and apartment buildings.

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