Trades
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada (UA), affiliated with the national building trades, represents approximately 355,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, service technicians and welders in local unions across North America. We also honor a federation agreement with both the Australian Plumbing Trades Employees Union (PTEU) and Irish Technical, Engineering Electrical Union (TEEU).
The UA has been training qualified pipe tradesmen and women longer than anyone else in the industry. We provide the premier training programs available in the industry today, including five-year apprenticeship programs, extensive journeyman training, a comprehensive, five-year instructor training program, and numerous certification programs. We help our signatory contractors grow their market share by identifying new opportunities, providing support and connecting them to the safest, most skilled and most highly trained workforce in the industry.
STEAMFITTER-PIPEFITTERS
STEAMFITTER-PIPEFITTERS fabricate, assemble, install, maintain, and repair piping systems that transport all types of fluids, slurries and gas in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Their work is diverse and in fields such as oil refineries, paper mills, nuclear power plants, manufacturing plants, and in the automotive industry. Steamfitter-pipefitters often work on high pressure and high temperature systems, requiring a thorough knowledge of scientific principles to complete the work safely.
WELDERS
WELDERS are found on almost every jobsite in North America. These skilled workers cut and join a variety of materials, from steel, cast iron and plastic to complex and specialized products used on projects ranging from pipelines and power plants, to pharmaceutical and computer chip factories—and more. Estimates are that there will be a shortage of skilled and certified welders in North America that could number in the hundreds of thousands. Now is the time to acquire these critical skills.
PLUMBERS
PLUMBERS perform work that is essential to the health and safety of our citizens. Plumbers install drinking water, waste and ventilating systems, as well as wastewater treatment systems large and small, in homes, offices, schools, hospitals and manufacturing facilities. With a growing focus on green technologies, water conservation and energy efficiency, the demand for plumbers will increase significantly in the years ahead.
SPRINKLER FITTERS
SPRINKLER FITTERS install life and property saving fire protection systems in homes, schools, hospitals, office buildings, hotels, and more. As more and more people become aware of the difference these life-saving and property protection systems can make and when new legislation and code changes are implemented there will be more calls for the installation of these systems in new construction, as well as retrofitting of existing structures.