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Plumbers & Pipefitters

Organization
The United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters was formed over one hundred years ago. Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #6 serves all of Southeastern Minnesota.

Nature of Trade
Plumbers and Pipefitters are craftsmen who install pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases needed for sanitation, industrial production or other uses. They also alter and repair existing pipe systems and install plumbing fixtures, appliances and heating and refrigeration units. Although plumbing and pipefitting are sometimes considered to be a single trade, there is a distinction.

Plumbers install pipes for water, gas, and sewage and drainage systems, especially those connected to public utility systems. They also install sanitary facilities such as lavatories, toilets, bathtubs, bathroom fixtures, showers, kitchen fixtures, drinking fountains, and laundry equipment. Plumbers in Minnesota must have a state license.

Pipefitters are craftsmen who assemble, install, and maintain pipes to carry water, steam, compressed air, gases and fluids needed for processing, manufacturing, heating or cooling or refrigeration, especially those in industrial and commercial buildings.

Formal Training
Apprenticeship in the pipe trades is a highly selective program and acceptance for training depends on the applicants' qualifications and the manpower need of the trade. The actual selection and supervision of the apprenticeship program in the pipe trades is done by members of a joint apprenticeship committee. This committee consists of persons with considerable experience representing both management and labor.

The typical apprenticeship program is five years of intensive technical training, consisting of at least 10,000 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 1,230 hours of related training in the classroom. Processes related to mathematics, drafting, the use of tools and maintenance, general shop and job practices, including safety, are stressed during the apprenticeship, both on the job and in the classroom.

Through the Apprenticeship process, the apprentice attains all the technical skills needed to be a skilled Journeymen. In order to upgrade abilities and expand knowledge and skills, specialized training and additional certification programs are available for those who are already Journeymen.