Your Career as a Union Plumber
UA Local 101, Belleville, Illinois

Union plumbers can specialize in Backflow Prevention Programs, Commercial Construction, Residential and Commercial Plumbing Installation, Gas/Air/Water Piping, Medical Gas Systems, Residential Service, Repair and Remodeling, Underground Utilities, Vacuum Piping and Systems, Sanitary Waste and Vent, Waste Water Treatment, and Water Supply.

Your career as a plumber begins with an apprenticeship. This is a highly selective program and acceptance for training depends on the applicant’s qualifications and the manpower need of the trade. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. The actual selection and supervision of the apprenticeship program is done by members of a joint apprenticeship committee. This committee consists of people with considerable experience representing both management and labor.

After acceptance into our apprenticeship program, you will complete 5 years apprenticeship training at our training facility and on-the-job with a certified journeyperson as your mentor. The apprenticeship training consists of at least 10,000 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 1,250 hours of related training in the classroom. Classes are taught by certified journeypeople who have completed annual instructor training programs provided by the UA, our international union.

Upon completion of your apprenticeship, which is registered through the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, U.S. Department of Labor, you reach journeyperson status. Local 101 offers continuing education classes in varied areas of specialization. New union plumbers are evaluated for skill level and advance through their own initiative.
See more about our Apprenticeship program