Trades

UA Local 100 Plumbers

Interested in becoming a plumber?

Plumbers install, repair and maintain drinking water, waste and ventilating systems in a variety of buildings such as homes, offices, schools, hospitals and manufacturing facilities. These essential services not only bring in clean drinking water in a structure, but it removes sanitary waste. Besides potable water systems, plumbers can also install, repair or maintain non-potable water systems. As noted by the Environmental Protection Agency, increasing pressures on water resources have led to greater water scarcity and a growing demand for alternative water sources. Onsite non-potable water reuse is one solution to help communities reclaim, recycle and reuse water for non-drinking water purposes. Onsite non-potable water reuse systems capture and treat water sources generated from within or surrounding a building, such as wastewater, greywater, stormwater or roof collected rainwater, which is then treated and reused onsite or locally. With a growing focus on green technologies, water conservation and energy efficiency, the demand for plumbers will increase significantly in the years ahead.

Required Training

Those who wish to become plumbers must complete the JATC’s five-year registered apprenticeship program. However, non-union plumbers who already 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. Plumbing 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 plumbers. Local 100 apprentices earn a good wage and high quality benefits while working. Besides the on-the-job training, they 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. In addition to safety certifications, plumbers earn other industry certifications to make them more employable by allowing them to work on more jobsites or do specific work. After completing the Local 100 apprenticeship program and becoming journeymen, plumbers 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.

Local 100 Union Plumbers Ensure our Safety

The work of a plumber is essential to the safety and health of everyone in the world. Building and maintaining water and sewer systems is one of the most important aspects contributing to the health of humans. Plumbing is important work that can affect everybody’s health and well-being, and because of this, the work requires a highly trained and skilled workforce. The outlook for plumbing work is great. With the demand for green technologies on the rise and many Local 100 plumbers nearing retirement age, the need for plumbing apprentices will only increase.