Trades

UA Local 100 Pipefitters and Pipe Welders

Interested in becoming a pipe welder?

Pipefitters fabricate, assemble, install, maintain and repair piping systems that transport all types of fluids, slurries and gasses in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. This work is diverse, as pipefitters are found on projects in industries such as oil and gas, nuclear power and manufacturing. Oftentimes, they work on high-pressure and high-temperature systems, requiring a thorough knowledge of scientific principles to safely complete their work. Pipe welders cut and join a variety of piping – from steel and cast iron to plastic and exotic metals – used in complex and specialized piping systems found on projects ranging from gas distribution and power plants to pharmaceutical factories and refineries. Experts estimate there will be a shortage of pipe welders in North America that could number in the hundreds of thousands.

Required Training

Men and women who desire to become either journeymen pipefitters or pipe welders are required to complete the UA Local 100 five-year registered apprenticeship program. Those who perform this work on the non-union side and have industry experience may be able to complete the training program in less time, depending on their skill set and level of industry education and experience.

Pipefitter and pipe welder apprentices earn while they learn. This means they go to work and receive on-the-job training, where they learn the day-to-day duties of the job from highly skilled and experienced journeymen. Local 100 apprentices earn a good wage and high quality benefits while working.

Besides the on-the-job training, apprentices also receive in-person classroom instruction at the Training Center from experienced instructors. This supplemental education teaches important concepts used on the jobsite and can also involve lab time as well. Apprentices also use this time to gain industry-leading OSHA safety certifications.

As apprentices, pipefitters and pipe welders earn industry-leading certifications, which are crucial to their employment in the field. As they progress their careers, additional certifications will make them more employable by allowing them to work on specialized projects.

After completing the apprenticeship program and becoming journeymen, pipefitters and pipe welders are strongly encouraged to further their education by regularly taking upgrade classes to maintain or expand their certifications and ensure they are up-to-date with the industry’s latest technological advancements.

Union pipefitters are needed in Dallas

Pipefitters and pipe welders fabricate, install, repair and maintain piping systems found in a variety of settings including:

Commercial businesses
Residential buildings
Industrial facilities
Gas distribution throughout the southwest

They are highly-trained and versatile tradesmen and tradeswomen, who can work in nearly any industry and on any type of project, including:

Gas
Air and water piping
Ammonia piping
Commercial
instrumentation
High purity piping
Hydronic heating
Medical gas systems
Pipe fabrication

Gas distribution
Refineries
Chemical plants
Power piping
Process piping
Energy efficiency projects
Steam piping
Vacuum piping
Other projects

The skillset and experience of pipefitters and pipe welders make them valuable assets on any project, which is why they earn a quality wage and receive a great benefits package.