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, Soldering,  Introduction to SMAW, GTAW, OXY-Acetylene cutting , Standards of Excellence
  • SECOND YEAR:  SMAW, GTAW, OXY-Acetylene cutting and Drawing Interpretation-Plan Reading, Isometrics, Cost of Labor.
  • THIRD YEAR:   Refrigeration, HVACR, Soldering and Brazing, Introduction to Tube Bending, Piping Layouts, Pipe Fabrication, Related Math.
  • FOURTH YEAR:   Advanced Piping Layouts, Related Math,  Advanced Tube Bending, SMAW, GTAW, Introduction to GMAW and FCAW, Crane Signal Certification.
  • FIFTH YEAR:   Related Math, Apprenticeship completion testing, Advanced SMAW, GTAW, GMAW and FCAW.  Weld Certification Testing, Industrial Rigging Certification, Foreman Certification.
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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

District 3 Apprenticeship Contest
Welder: 2015 1st place
Pipefitter: 2016 2nd Place 
CERTIFICATIONS OFFERED
  • OSHA 10-30
  • CPR-FIRST AID
  • CRANE SIGNALPERSON
  • INDUSTRIAL RIGGING
  • FOREMAN
  • WELDING

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Information to come
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JOB DESCRIPTION
​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 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 will keep your application from being processed. 
Applications for the 2021 school year will start being accepted January 4th 2021.  ****Deadline for turning in applications has been extended to August 27th, 2021****
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 throughout the year and are processed at the beginning of June.  Once processed, evaluations begin the end of June.  The new school year starts at the end of August.