Local 773 Training Center
PLUMBERS & STEAMFITTERS LOCAL 773
training the most highly-qualified workers in the United States and Canada
For over a century, the United Association has been training the most highly-qualified workers in the United States and Canada, producing a skilled workforce responsible for building America. The UA’s unmatched commitment and investment to training is unparalleled, spending over $100 million annually on training programs involving tens of thousands of Journeyman and Apprentices from over 400 Local Unions.
Under the direction of the UA, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 773 is nothing short of dedicated to training. We are continually striving to educate our members to keep up with the always-changing and rapidly growing industry, investing upwards of $250,000 each year on training. Our members are trained in an 18,000 square foot, state-of-the-art training center, which includes five classrooms, a computer lab, a fully functioning Class 100 Clean Room, an over-sized, hands-on teaching shop and an impressive weld shop, which includes 18 weld booths.
In addition to our five-year Apprenticeship Programs, Plumbers Local 773 offers continuing education to our Journeyman Brothers and Sisters, as well as an Associate Degree Program in partnership with the United Association and Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Local 773 is also proud to have partnered with SUNY Adirondack, a local community college, and created a new degree program, Journeyworker: Technical Trades Management. This AOS degree is geared toward journeyworkers interested in taking on a management role or opening their own businesses. Further information regarding this exciting opportunity can be found here.
Minimum Qualifications and Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age (at time of application)
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and have your own dependable transportation
- Must possess a High School diploma or G.E.D. certificate
- Must be a United States Citizen
- Must take and pass aptitude test(s)
- Must appear for an interview when notified
- Must live within the jurisdiction area covered by Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 773, which consists of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties
- Must be of good moral character and be physically able to perform the work of the trade
- Must abide by all rules and regulations set by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee
Apprentice Job Description
- Assemble, install and maintain pipes that carry water, steam, compressed air, gases and fluids which are need for manufacturing, heating and cooling
- Work is done on high and low pressure pipes, power stations, refrigeration systems and environmental controls
- Reading of blueprints to determine the layout of piping, valves, fixtures and controls
- Welding of pipes from 1” to 10” made of materials that include carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, plastic, and other special alloys
- Tools used include reamers, drills, gas torches, welding equipment, pipe cutters, benders and threaders
- Working conditions are both inside and outside in all types of weather. Workers can be exposed to heat, cold, fumes, chemical and toxic odors. The working activities are both active and strenuous which may include much walking, prolonged standing, reaching and lifting, and having to be in cramped or otherwise uncomfortable positions.
- Follow detailed instructions of a vast range of skills and be able to solve mathematical problems accurately.
Building Trades Apprenticeship Program Information
- Instruction covers the installation of commercial and industrial process piping systems. Welding certification plays a big part in the education process in this program.
- Apprenticeship is 5 years long, with the first year considered probationary
- Classes are held 3 nights a week through the school year, which runs September through May
- You will need to purchase text material for use in related training classes as required
- Work will be done under the supervision of a journeyman for your on-the-job training
- Pay is set at a percentage of the going Journeyman rate, with a 10% raise each year
- Fringe benefits are provided from the first day of work
Application Information
Applicants must pay a $25.00 application processing fee at the time of application and a $25.00 testing fee on testing day. Please note: You may request that these fees be waived. Fee waivers will be approved upon showing verifiable proof of financial aid.
Applications are available the second Monday of each month between the hours of 8:00am and 10:00am ONLY. The application must be completed and returned no later than 12:00pm the Friday of that week along with copies of your Driver’s License, High School Diploma or G.E.D. Certificate, and if applicable, College Transcript and Military transfer card or discharge form DD-214, and any other certifications you have.
Applications may be obtained from:
Glens Falls Area
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 773
37 Luzerne Rd.
Queensbury, NY 12804
Plattsburgh Area
L.H. LaPlante Co., Inc.
52 Main Mill St.
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
UA Authorized Testing Facility
In July of 2013 Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 773 had the distinct honor of being awarded a Certificate of Authorization deeming us an Authorized Testing Facility for UA Welder Testing Events, which includes the testing, qualification and certification of UA members, within the requirements of the UA Welder Certification Program.
As required, all Welder Testing Events are administered and executed by an Authorized Testing Representative and at least one manufacturer/contractor representative.
On approximately the 3rd Saturday of each month, Local 773 opens our Weld Shop booths to UA members looking to test and obtain specific welder certifications in the SMAW, GTAW, FCAW, Semi-Automatic, Automatic and Orbital Welding processes.
Upon completion of welder certification tests, the designated ATR that day visually inspects all coupons. If the ATR passes the coupon upon visual inspection, they are then sent off to an Independent Test Lab for further testing by a Certified Welding Inspector. If they pass all inspections by the CWI, a UA Welder Certification is granted to the UA member. In order to maintain continuity of their qualifications, the UA member (welder) is required to weld using the specific welding processes (e.g. SMAW, GTAW, GMAW) they are qualified for, at least once every six months. The continuity must be witnessed by a contractor representative and documented on a UA Welder Continuity Report form and submitted to an ATR for further processing. (If you need to update your continuity and need a form, please find it under the “Important Forms” section of this page.)
If you are a UA member and would like to take a Welder Certification Test, please call Local 773’s Training Department at 518-792-9157 to sign up.
Contact Information
Trustees of the Joint Apprenticeship Training Trust Fund
Union Trustees
Michael Jarvis, Business Manager
Terry Brown
Eric Wright
Contractor Trustees
Ron Gordon, R.F. Gordon Mechanical, LLC
Dan Keating, BPI Mechanical
Mark Collins, Collins Mechanical, LLC
Members of the Journeymen & Apprentice Training Committee:
Union Trustees
Michael Jarvis, Business Manager
Terry Brown
Eric Wright
Michael Salerno
Contractor Trustees
Ron Gordon, R.F. Gordon Mechanical, LLC
Dan Keating, BPI Mechanical
Mark Collins, Collins Mechanical, LLC
Training Department Staff:
Jacob Ringer, Training Coordinator
UA Authorized Testing Representative (ATR)
Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
Alexis Flewelling
Office Professional
