Apprenticeship

Info about the apprenticeship program

Apprenticeship Training

Apprenticeship in the pipe trades is a highly selective program.
Acceptance for training depends on the applicant’s qualifications and the manpower needs of the trade at the time of the selection process.  The actual selection and supervision of the Apprenticeship program is the responsibility of the Tuscaloosa Joint Apprentice Committee.  This committee consists of persons with considerable experience representing both management and labor.  The apprentice program is five years of technical and practical training, requiring at least 8,500 to 10,000 hours of on-the-job training and approximately 1,250 hours of related training in the classroom.  Classes are held in Duncanville, Alabama.
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Related Training Includes (But not limited to) 

  • FIRST YEAR:    Safety, Use and Care of Tools, Rigging, Math, Pipe Fittings, Fasteners and Supports, Introduction to SMAW, GTAW, OXY-Acetylene cutting , Pipefitting Applications, Standards of Excellence, Weld Certification Testing, OSHA 10 Hour Hazard Awareness Courses
  • SECOND PERIOD:  SMAW, GTAW, OXY-Acetylene cutting, Introduction to GMAW and FCAW. Drawing Interpretation-Plan Reading, Isometrics, Cost of Labor, Crane Signal Certification, Weld Certification Testing
  • THIRD PERIOD:   HVACR Maintenance, Soldering and Brazing, Introduction to Tube Bending, Piping Layouts, Pipe Fabrication, Related Math, Weld Certification Testing
  • FOURTH PERIOD:   Advanced Piping Layouts, Related Math,  Advanced Tube Bending, SMAW, GTAW,  Advanced SMAW, GTAW, GMAW and FCAW.  Weld Certification Testing
  • FIFTH PERIOD:   Apprenticeship completion testing,  Industrial Rigging Certification, Foreman Certification, Weld Certification Testing, OSHA 30 Hour Hazard Awareness Courses
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On the Job Training

The apprentice is assigned to work by the Business Manager when work becomes available.  The apprentice is paid while working on the job but not while attending school.  First year apprentices are paid 60% of Journeymen scale and progress upward each year until they reach 90%.  By working productively and assisting a journeyman, the apprentice will learn the skills and methods of the trade.
*FOR EDUCATION ONLY - WE DO NOT EMPLOY ANYONE*

AWARDS
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State  Apprenticeship Contest
Welding 1st Place:  2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015
Pipefitter 1st Place:  2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2023,2024,2025

District 3 Apprenticeship Contest
Welder: 2015 1st place
Pipefitter: 2016 2nd Place
Pipefitter: 2024 3rd Place 
CERTIFICATIONS/SAFETY COURSES OFFERED
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SAFETY COURSES
  • OSHA 10-30 Hazard Awareness Training Construction 1926 & General Industry 1910
  • OSHA 7115 Lock-Out/Tag-Out
  • OSHA 7405 Fall Hazard
CERTIFICATIONS
  • CPR-FIRST AID
  • EPRI CRANE SIGNALPERSON
  • EPRI INDUSTRIAL RIGGING
  • UA/MCAA FOREMAN
  • UA  WELDING
  • VitalCog

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Must be on time and present for all scheduled work hours. Follow the company handbook rules. Take advantage of all on-the-job instruction and training.
Must be able to pass drug and alcohol testing. ​

APPRENTICE JOB DESCRIPTION
​Work with Journeymen with the following job tasks. Lay out, fabricate, install and service plumbing and process piping systems.  Service and install all equipment including compressors, valves, pumps, meters, pneumatic, electric, and hydraulic controls, install and service air conditioning, refrigeration equipment and backflow preventers.

​TERM OF APPRENTICESHIP
Five (5) Years

AGE QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must be a minimum age of 18 by August 31st of the application year.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
High School Graduate or High School Equivalency (GED).  Copy of Diploma and Transcript, GED testing results are required as well.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Able to perform hard physical work.  Drug screening is required of all applicants selected for the Apprenticeship Program.

TRANSPORTATION
Apprentices must provide their own transportation to get to the job site and to the classroom.
SELECTION PROCESS

1. Application
2. Evaluation
3. Interview
4. Offer to attend school

Application Information
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COMPLETION OF APPLICATIONS

Once you have downloaded the application from the link below, make sure your application has all of the required documents and contact information required that are listed in the application packet. Also any supporting documents such as resume, junior college transcriptions, etc. 

​Turning in applications without the required documents and contact information will keep your application from being processed. 
Applications for the Next school year are  NOT BEING accepted at this time.
 
****Deadline date for turning in applications will be the END OF THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE. Any applications after that date will not be considered for the next apprenticeship class. ****
ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS
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Completed applications are to be turned in at  Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 372 located at 9410 Hwy 82 East
Duncanville, AL 35456 weekdays between 10a.m. – 12p.m. and 1p.m. – 4.p.m.   

​Applications are accepted during dates set by the Apprentice Committee and are processed once the new school year dates are set.  Once processed, evaluations will begin and applicants will be notified by email. Applicants are required to update any new information in their file to be able to be contacted.