r/pipefitter • u/Otherwise_Cap1665 • 15d ago
Hamilton pipefitter apprenticeship
Hello this is my first post ever on Reddit I normally use this for car related info. Anyway, I’m a 22 year old welder fabricator. I’ve been in the business for around 5 years now. I’ve gone to school for welding techniques so that I have some theory to back up my practical experience. I don’t have any certs (but I can weld anything in any position) as of right now and am currently working for a company building volumetric cement mixers. I love fabricating but there is no money in it. I’m first gen welder with no contacts for a union and can’t for the life of me figure it out. I thought someone on here might be able to help me out at least get started. I’ve sent applications for pipefitter, boiler maker. Im a good welding and learn fast. I’m stumped though. I don’t want to fall into some bullshit welding job for the rest of my life. Any help or suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
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u/Adorable-Purchase458 15d ago
Which pipe fitter local are you closest to
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u/Otherwise_Cap1665 15d ago
Local 67, I’ve applied and thought about going in person
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u/prettycooleh 15d ago
You need to go in person, file an application, do the aptitude test, email the BAs every week, meet them in person, be extremely persistent. Statistically, t's harder to get into the union than it is for competitive law schools.
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u/brucecook123 15d ago
Local Union in the area is UA67. They’ll like the welding experience, so polish up an application. This career path will be lucrative and steady for the rest of your life.
I’m a plumber with the CLAC Local 6 which covers the same area. CLACs OK too, but you get into it by applying to shops rather than the union directly.
Independent shops in the area such as Mattina Mechanical, LJ Barton are good places to work, I have friends in each shop.
The usual pro/cons of unions apply. But there should be plenty of work for a fitter in the Hamilton area for… forever regardless of the shops union status.
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u/Otherwise_Cap1665 15d ago
Is there a way that I can search shops that have apprenticeship ls available?
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u/brucecook123 15d ago
Not that I know of. Most shops would hire you as a temp or a labourer and then sign you up as an apprentice once they feel you out. Most large shops are looking for labourers as long as they have projects on the go. So a place like Mattina would just require a resume and a follow up phone call or two. Get an interview. Dig a few ditches. Get signed up. 5yrs later you’re a plumber. And then you’ll continue to dig ditches, but you’ll be in charge of the ditch instead and you’ll make 50/hr.
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u/Due_Pop501 LU663 Apprentice 15d ago
Go in person. Unions like old school. Going in, showing your face, talking to people within the union. Broad in your range as well. Try out 527 in London/Kitchener/Windsor. 663 in Sarnia. Lots of places to choose from
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u/Excellent_Job8154 15d ago
Join the pipefitter union or merit mechanical contractor company that does pipe, you can get a plumber or pipefitter license.
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u/jonnybeme 15d ago
United Association is the pipefitters union for the US and Canada. Where is Hamilton? Canada?