Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 125

ORGANIZATION

The United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters and its Apprenticeship training program were formed over one hundred years ago. Local 125 is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and serves 400 trained Journeypersons in Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Tama, Buchanan, Blackhawk, Grundy, Hardin, Bremer, Butler, Chickasaw and Howard counties in Iowa.

NATURE OF TRADE

Plumbers and Pipefitters are craft workers who install pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases needed for sanitation, industrial production or other uses. They also alter and repair existing pipe systems and install plumbing fixtures, appliances and heating and refrigeration units. Although plumbing and pipefitting are sometimes considered to be a single trade, there is a distinction.

Plumbers install pipes for water, gas, sewage and drainage systems, especially those connected to public utility systems. They also install sanitary facilities such as lavatories, toilets, bathtubs, bathroom fixtures, showers, kitchen fixtures, drinking fountains, and laundry equipment.

Pipefitters are craft workers who assemble, install, and maintain pipes to carry water, steam, compressed air, gases and fluids needed for processing, manufacturing, heating, cooling, or refrigeration, especially those in industrial and commercial buildings.

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

Apprenticeship in the pipe trades is a highly selective program and acceptance for training depends on the applicants' qualifications and the manpower need of the trade. The actual selection and supervision of the apprenticeship program in the pipe trades is done by members of a Joint Apprenticeship Committee. This Committee consists of persons with considerable experience representing both management and labor.

The typical apprenticeship program is five years of intensive technical training, consisting of at least 10,000 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 1,080 hours of related training in the classroom. Processes related to mathematics, drafting, the use of tools and maintenance, general shop and job practices, including safety, are stressed during the apprenticeship, both on the job and in the classroom.

Apprentices receive a graduated wage rate during their term of training, beginning at 40% of a journeyperson's wages progressing to 80% during their final year of training. They also receive such benefits as health and welfare insurance, local and national pensions, and 401K programs.

Through the Apprenticeship process, the apprentice attains all the technical skills needed to be a skilled journeyperson. In order to upgrade abilities and expand knowledge and skills, specialized training and additional certification programs are available for those who are already journeypersons.

QUALIFICATIONS

An applicant must meet the following requirements in order to apply for an Apprenticeship program:

· Must be at least 18 years of age.

· Must be a high school graduate or its equivalent

· Must complete a math exam

In order to get a head start, take courses in general math, algebra and geometry. General science, computer courses, mechanical drawing and other shop courses. After high school courses in math, science, welding, drafting and/or other trade related subjects are helpful.

APPLICATION, SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

The actual selection and supervision of the apprenticeship program is conducted by members of the Joint Apprenticeship Committee. After submitting an application, the candidate will go through a testing, orientation, and interviewing process with the Committee. Qualified applicants are ranked according to score. The Committee has the responsibility of placing the qualified applicants as job openings occur.