Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union #149

APPRENTICESHIP

Trade: This Union represents Journeymen and Apprentice Plumbers, Steamfitters, Pipefitters, Welders, Refrigeration Techs, & HVAC Service Techs.

Description of Trade

Plumbers: Plumbers and Pipefitters install, maintain, and repair many different types of pipe systems. For example, some systems move water to a municipal water treatment plant and then to residential, commercial, and public buildings. Some bring in gas for stoves and furnaces. Others supply air-conditioning. Pipe systems in power plants carry the steam that powers huge turbines. Pipes also are used in manufacturing plants to move material through the production process. Plumbers & Pipefitters commonly join piping using many different processes, including welding, soldering, brazing, and mechanical joining.

Refrigeration Techs, & HVAC Service Techs: Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—often called heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration(HVACR) technicians—work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.

Contact Info: Derek Reedy, Training Director, Phone: (217) 359-3446; Email: dreedy@ualocal149.com; Website: www.ualocal149.com; Address: 1005 N. Dunlap Ave., P.O. Box 725, Savoy, IL 61874

General Requirements: Candidates must be at least eighteen years of age with a high school diploma or GED certificate. They must pass an aptitude test, drug screening, and personal interview. They must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Applicants must be physically able to do the work. Apprentices must be able to lift heavy objects, work in confined spaces, have excellent work ethic, get along well with others, and be able to work at high levels from scaffolds and ladders.  It is recommended that applicants have experience in the following coursework: Mathematics, Mechanical Drawing, Business, and Industrial Technology.

Jurisdiction: Champaign, Ford, East Piatt, Coles, Cumberland, Effingham, and Jasper counties.

Application Process: UA Local 149 offers both an online application as well as selected dates for candidates to complete an application on site. When applying, you will need a copy of your driver’s license, birth certificate and high school transcripts. You will also need to know your social security number. A study guide for the aptitude test that can be purchased for $20 at the Local Union. There will also be a $20 fee at the time of your aptitude test. You will receive a date and time for your aptitude test. If 70% or higher on the aptitude test is achieved, you will be given an interview with the JAC Board of Trustees. Each portion of the application process is assigned a point value and those with the highest scores will be selected for the apprenticeship.

Apprentice Training: Apprentices attend school for a whole week every six or seven weeks. No summer training.

Wages: Journeyman wages are $50.35 per hour for all plumbers, pipefitters, refrigeration technicians and HVAC technicians. Apprentice wages start at 45% of journeyman wages and increase by 10% for each year of the apprenticeship successfully completed.