Apprenticeship

Apprentices get paid to learn from the best.

A plumber's local 8 apprenticeship provides a solid foundation in protecting the health of the public, by using essential plumbing skills passed down from the masters of the trade.

What do plumbers do? The apprentice works alongside the journeyman.

Plumbers work in:

All types of weather conditions
High places
Confined spaces
Ditches and excavations

Plumbers work at:

Residences
Industrial facilities
Commercial buildings
Public utilities
Government offices
Schools and universities
Public facilities including stadiums and arenas

Plumbers use:

Pipe cutters
Wrenches
Torches and welding machines
Assorted power drills
Jackhammers
Core drilling machines
Levels and numerous hand tools

Plumbers perform work involving:

New construction
Remodeling
Repairs
Service work
Utilities
Industiral

Plumbers install:

Drain, waste and vent systems for sanitary sewers
Roof drains and scuppers
Gas piping
Backflow protection Devices
Medical gas systems
Water heaters
Unit heaters
Fixtures and appliances

What is a plumbing apprenticeship?

Plumbing apprentices combine structured on-the-job training with craft-related classroom instruction. Apprenticeship provides a complete education in all aspects of the craft. Training extends beyond the specific skills required by any one employer. Apprentices are employed by a contractor for the term of their apprenticeship, receiving wages, and as Local 8 member's benefits. Upon successful of the 5 year 10,000 hour program and passing the city of Kansas City Missouri journeyman license examination one will possess a journeyman plumber's license and 32 hours of college credit.

During the required classroom instruction the plumbing apprentice learns how to use, care for, and safely handle the tools and materials required of the trade. Apprentices learn safety techniques necessary to establish a safe working environment including the safe use of ladders, power tools, scaffolding, fall protection, and the need for trench shoring to protect excavations from cave ins. Plumber apprentices are trained to be aware of the potential dangers of hazardous and toxic substances inherent with the trade and the protective measure to prevent being injured as a result.

Classroom instruction includes:

Drafting
Blue print reading
Applied mathematics
Applied science
Uniform and International Plumbing Codes
Medical Gas Installation
Backflow preventer testing and installation
OSHA Safety training, 10 hour and 30 hour
UA/MCA Foreman Certification
USGBC Green Systems Awareness Certification

On the job training includes learning code-approved methods for installing

Sewers, waste and vent systems for human waste and storm drainage
Domestic water supply systems
Natural gas piping
Medical gas piping and associated alarms and equipment

Apprentices also learn the fundamentals of

Water heaters
Water treatment equipment
Plumbing fixtures
Appliances

Apprentices learn how to install, test, repair, and maintain all of the above equipment and fixtures.

Responsibilities of the apprentice:

Be at the job site and ready to work at starting time every day. Be willing and able to do his/her fair share.
All apprentices are required to adhere to the local's code of ethics and the UA Standard of Excellence and the Rules and Regulations of the JAC.
In exchange for the journeyman teaching their skills and passing down knowledge the apprentice should be prepared to assist with the physical aspects of the job.
Learn as quickly as possible
Become productive team players
Strive to become the best member of the union and thereby a productive worker for years to come.
Reminders:
An apprenticeship is a privilege not a right
Plumbing is a competitive career, those productive workers will continue to be gainfully employed

Advantages of a plumbing apprenticeship:

Earn while you learn
Become self reliant
Potential to be no financial burden to one's parents or society
College level earning power upon completion of the program
Obtain knowledge from the best plumbers in the area always safe and drug free
Gain respect and recognition from coworkers and peers as one progresses through the program
Satisfaction of working with your hands and your mind in an increasingly technical and sophisticated industry
Learn a trade that requires a license in the State of Kansas and the city of Kansas City, Missouri
Receive training for a career... not just a job
Varied career opportunities include, owner, inspector, employer, teacher, union position, estimator, etc.
Freedom to take your skills and knowledge from one employer to another and to other parts of the USA and world