Where do you see yourself?
How will you provide?
Will you own a home?
How will you retire?
What Career Path will you follow?
Plumbing
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
Service and Repair Plumbing and Maintenance
Service plumbers service tanks, piping, and plumbing fixtures. Part of their job may include unclogging drains and handling various residential plumbing requirements. Service techs troubleshoot systems, diagnose problems. Service plumbers should be able to work under pressure and be willing to take calls after hours. Plumbers are not only experts in their trade, but also offer superb customer service.
Steamfitting
Steamfitters are highly skilled workers who are responsible for every aspect of the installation and maintenance of piping systems in residential, commercial and industrial projects. They are essential to the installation and maintenance of boilers and other high-pressure equipment, especially those used in critical facilities such as hospitals. They also install and maintain heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. Steamfitting is a specialized skill that is essential to our quality of life.
HVAC Service
Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Service Technicians install, maintain and repair plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. These technicians also perform essential work in our national goal to improve energy efficiency. There is high demand for these skilled tradespeople, and this sector provides consistent, year-round work with excellent wages and benefits.
Featured Programs
The VIP Program
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA) has partnered with the U.S. military to create the UA Veterans In Piping (VIP) Program. Become part of this amazing program that helps to shape the lives of military members, their families and the national economy. View more
Helmets to Hardhats
“since these apprentice programs are approved by the federal government, you can use your GI Bill benefits to supplement your income while learning and honing your chosen craft. “View more
Why Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships provide a high-quality, structured pathway into a career, built on clear standards that lay out the requirements of an apprentice’s job. This means that apprentices know what they need to learn, and employers map a pathway to success within their organizations.
State of California 5 Point Action Plan.
Unlike most interns, apprentices are paid employees who earn a paycheck for their work. Apprentices’ wages typically start at about 50 percent to 60 percent of their eventual wages, and their pay goes up as they progress through their programs and master more skills. Moreover, because training is part of the job, apprentices do not have to forgo income from employment in order to pursue education and training. An apprenticeship provides a young worker with an immediate job, steadily rising wages, and a gateway into a successful and sustainable long-term career. This is especially important for young adults, as the unemployment rate for Americans under age 25 is still nearly 15 percent more than double the national rate of unemployment.
POMONA & SAN GABRIEL VALLEYS PLUMBERS AND STEAMFITTERS
Union 398 encourages you to schedule an appointment to apply. Please call 909-945-5557 to schedule your appointment time.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY (except holidays) FROM 3:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
AT:
Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 398 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee Office
8590 Utica Avenue, Suite 200
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 945-5557
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED AND PROCESSED WITHOUT REGARD TO SEX, RACE, COLOR, CREED OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.
Minimum Requirements:
- All applications must be made in person.
- All applicants must have a picture I.D. and a valid driver license is required at the time of acceptance into the apprenticeship program.
- Must be at least 18 years old at time of application. Birth Certificate must be presented at time of application.
- Must have high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate. (Proof must be presented at time of application.
- All applicants must be in reasonable good health, with no handicaps or diseases that would impair their ability to perform the work of the trade or that would be a hazard to themselves or a fellow worker.
- All applicants must be able to read, write, and converse in English.
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must have a Social Security Card.
- Each Applicant has the responsibility to keep the J.A.T.C. notified of address changes.
- Before applicants chosen for probationary apprenticeship enter actual employment, they may be required to take a physical examination as prescribed by the local J.A.T.C. If required, the cost will be paid by the J.A.T.C.
- Drug testing may be required.
Qualifications:
Age: 18 years minimum
Education: High School Graduate, G.E.D. Certificate or equivalent
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Objective: The Plumbers & Steamfitter Apprenticeship Program is a five (5) year training program. Apprentices earn while they learn, working on the job with journeymen. In addition, they attend classes of related technical instruction. The objective of the instruction, along with on the job experience, is to train all-around journeymen.
APPRENTICE APPLICANT INFORMATION
Wages: Apprentices earn a percentage of an established journeyman wage rate, by classification. Currently the journeyman wage is $50.58 and the beginning apprentice wage is $22.76. All wage rates and conditions are subject to change without notice as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (updated 8/21). Wage advances are possible once a year in the apprenticeship term. The advancements are set by the local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (J.A.T.C.) that is locally established in order to supervise the apprentices training, providing however, that the program’s advancement requirements are met.
Hours of Work: The hours very from project to project. The average workweek is forty- (40) hours, or as otherwise modified by union agreement.
Classes: All apprentices are required to attend classes of related technical instruction and manipulative instruction. Apprentices will attend classes for five (5) years. Classes are conducted during the workweek.
Transportation: Apprentices are required to furnish their own transportation.
Availability of work: The volume of new construction varies according to economic conditions in the area and the weather.
Continuity of work: Steady employment is the exception, not the rule in construction.
Working conditions: The work can be uncomfortable during hot, cold, or wet weather.
Fringe Benefits: Health and dental care, pension, vacation/holiday, and prescription drug reimbursement are provided when eligibility is established.
Union Affiliation: Apprentices are obligated to make application to the union at the start of their apprenticeship and must maintain their availability for employment referral. Apprentices serve a probationary period for the first year of their apprenticeship.
Completion Certificates: When the apprenticeship is completed, apprentices graduate to journeyman status in the union and are awarded completion certificates from the state of California.
Opportunity: Depending on the economic situation and work in the construction industry, we will indenture as many apprentices in the next year, as the market demands.
Pool of Applicants: A pool of eligible applicants will be established and maintained for two (2) years.
Sponsorship: Applicants may solicit employment with an employer and be sponsored by an employer who must state in a letter that the employer will provide six (6) months employment for the applicant.
Special Circumstances: a) All employees working on federally funded construction projects will be required to fill out an I-9 immigration form; b) Employees on some construction projects may be subject to random drug screening.
TRAINING STANDARDS:
The Apprenticeship Training Standards are drawn up by the Plumbers & Steamfitters Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee and are approved by and registered with the State of California, Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
UA Local 398, the Benchmark for Productivity 