Apprenticeship
Our apprentice program consists of a five-year program registered with the New York State Department of Labor. The apprenticeship includes a minimum of 246 hours annually of related classroom instruction, in addition to the minimum of 8,500 hours of on the job training provided by the employing contractor over the five-year apprenticeship.
Our Building Trades Apprentices (Plumbers and Steamfitters) go to school for 7 consecutive weeks, 8:00 am-3:30 pm Monday-Friday per year. Our HVACR Service Apprentices normally work a full day and attend related training classes two nights per week for 9 months at the training center.
The related training subjects include science, math, drawing interpretation and plan reading, building codes, and applicable shop labs. The apprentices earn 45 college credits, for the five-year program, that can be applied toward an Associates Degree in Applied Science. Apprentices will ultimately specialize in one of the following career paths:
- Plumbing/Steamfitting
- Mechanical Equipment Service (HVAC)
In addition to the technical instruction apprentices receive training in several areas including:
- OSHA Safety Courses
- Customer Relations
The Plumbers, Steamfitters and HVACR Service Technicians Local 21 Joint Apprenticeship Committee conducts periodic recruitment on an Annual basis or based on additional manpower needs.
Career Paths
Welder
A welder works in every area of the construction industry where metals and alloys are joined. They will work with plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, and HVAC-R techs. Work will include installation, maintenance, and repair of all types of piping systems as well as join structural steel brackets and supports for such systems. A welder has to work in many different environments and in all types of positions. Welders will study blueprints, drawing, and specifications for the job and must measure, cut and weld using various welding methods and tools.
Plumber
The plumber installs, repairs, maintains, and services piping and plumbing systems and equipment used for drinking (potable) water distribution, sanitary stormwater systems, and waste disposal. They also work on technical installations for Medical Gas, Hydronic in-floor heating, Solar Panels, Heat Pumps, Cross-Connection Control, and many other systems necessary for the health and safety of the general public. Their work is found mostly in the new home building and renovation, high rises, and commercial construction sectors including hospitals schools, and other institutional buildings.
HVAC-R
A service technician’s work covers the general responsibilities for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR). This would include the installation and maintenance of all sizes of heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial applications. Some job-specific applications include complete gas piping installations, high voltage electrical components, testing and analyzing, and start-up of systems.
Pipefitter
The steamfitter-pipefitter is a tradesperson with the knowledge and ability to layout, fabricate, assemble, install, maintain, and repair piping systems that transport all types of fluids, slurries, and gas in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. They are the only trade to specialize in planning, design, and installation of low- and high-pressure steam systems. Their work is diverse and in fields such as oil refineries, paper mills, nuclear power plants, manufacturing plants, and the automotive industry. The systems that the pipefitter may work on are some of the highest pressure and temperature applications and require a thorough knowledge of scientific principles to complete this work safely.
