Local 539
Alright guys, I’m pretty new to all this union/blue collar jargon and terminology.
Long story short, I want to switch careers. I’ve been doing my research on what type of trades I see myself doing in the near future, and pipefitting is one of them.
I come from a white collar background, with minimal mechanical experience. I worked in an industrial food plant when I was 19, dissembling machines, cleaning them, and putting it back all together, but that’s about it as far as that. I am 28 now, with a fiancé, and 2 YO girl.
I want to join the pipefitting apprenticeship program they have offered at the LU 539 but I’m not familiar with the process of getting in and the long term outlook of the career itself, as I hear there are some layoffs time to time if work is slow. Which I’m not going to lie, makes me nervous, as I plan to grow my family, buy a house, get married, etc.
So from my understanding, I must apply during the annual application window; in this case it would be every January, take a math assessment and journey assessment, if I pass they call me for an interview, then depending how I did, they send me a letter of my ranking? If I’m ranked high enough I can start working/ being in the apprenticeship that following Spring/Summer?
1.) What is a journey assessment?
2.) When a contractor contacts me to work, does that officially begin my apprenticeship?
3.) How competitive is getting into the program? Last year they were able to get in 34 service apprentices.
4.) Any tips on increasing my chances on getting into the program?
Thank you guys in advance. I Truly admire this trade!