The Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee will be accepting applications for possible Plumber Apprentice and Service and Repair Plumber Apprentice Classes, starting April 8, 2024 through May 17, 2024. Applications must be electronically submitted along with all required documentation as stated below. During the designated application period, a link to the online application can be found here or by contacting the Training Center and requesting a link be emailed.
Basic qualifications for acceptance into the program are that applicants be at least 18 years of age, and a high school graduate, or have a Certificate of Equivalency (G.E.D.).
When filing an Application, the applicant must supply the Committee with a birth certificate, high school transcript and diploma, or if applicable, G.E.D. Test Scores and Certificate. Applicants who have been in the Armed Forces must furnish a copy of Service Separation Papers, FORM DD 214.
Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants for apprentices based on RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX (INCLUDING PREGNANCY AND GENDER IDENTITY), SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENETIC INFORMATION, OR BECAUSE THEY ARE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY OR A PERSON OVER 40 YEARS OLD OR OLDER.
The mission of Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee is to provide our Apprentices with the practical skills and technical knowledge encompassed in the Plumbing industry in order to achieve State Licensure and maximize their employability. We are also committed to providing opportunities for advanced certifications and to foster a desire among our Apprentices and Journey-workers for lifelong learning. In furtherance of these goals, we will provide our Apprentices and Journey-workers with skilled and knowledgeable instructors, the most current instructional texts and materials, and the physical resources and technical test and cycle results infrastructure necessary to achieve these outcomes. We will strive to create an atmosphere of excellence in learning while being fiscally responsible to the beneficiaries of the training funds.
If you have qualified applicants available, we will be happy to work with them at the time and place indicated. If you have any questions, please call 713-861-3202.
Sincerely,
Sidney A. Morris
Director of Training
INFORMATION
HOUSTON AREA PLUMBING JOINT APPRENTICESHIP COMMITTEE
SIDNEY A. MORRIS, DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
JASON BRITNELL, TRAINING COORDINATOR
DERIC PERRY, TRAINING COORDINATOR
P.O. BOX 8653 • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77249-8653 (713) 861-3202 • FAX (713) 861-5616
The Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee offers Plumber and Service & Repair Plumber, Five Year, Apprenticeship Programs to all parties who can qualify.
Programs are financed by provisions of Agreements between Contractor Associations and Plumbers Local Union No. 68. This means that contractors who sign an agreement with Plumbers Local Union No. 68 agree to pay an established amount for each hour worked by apprentices and journeyworkers into funds which are used for apprenticeship and journeyworker training.
Apprentices are governed by Standards, set up by the Joint (Labor and Management) Committee and registered with the Office of Apprenticeship and Training, U.S. Department of Labor.
The main advantage is the opportunity to earn while you learn. An apprentice works under signed agreements with contractors who agree to train apprentices according to Standards of Apprenticeship. This means safe working conditions, as well as, good wages and fringe benefits. As apprentices advance in the Program, so does their income.
WAGE AND BENEFITS
The starting apprentice receives a percentage of a journeyworkers cash wage. Wages for apprentices increase at regular intervals as their job skills increase. After meeting all requirements of the Program and the apprenticeship is completed, journeyworker status and wage scale are attained.
Apprentices receive fringe benefits including: group insurance, a pension plan, vacation/savings fund, and tool rental. In addition, each contractor contributes, for every hour worked by apprentices and journeyworkers, into the training fund. During the first two years, apprentices do not receive pension benefits.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPRENTICESHIP IN THE HOUSTON PLUMBERS PROGRAM
1. The applicant must be physically fit to handle the job.
2. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and must submit an original birth certificate.
3. The applicant must be a high school graduate or the equivalent.
4. The applicant must be of a good moral character, genuinely interested in learning the trade and willing to apply him or herself to the requirements.
5. The applicant must submit a copy of high school transcript and diploma or G.E.D. Test Scores and Certificate when applicable.
6. If the applicant is a veteran, the applicant must submit a copy of separation papers (FORM DD 214).
7. The construction industry requires an apprentice to be mobile. Each apprentice must furnish his or her own transportation and be able to travel from one job to another as work may require.
Apprentice applicants shall be selected on the basis of qualifications alone and in accordance with objective standards which permit review after full and fair opportunity for application. The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), or sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older.
SELECTION PROCEDURES
1. PURPOSE
These selection procedures have been prepared by the International Pipe Trades Joint Training Committee. The procedures have been approved by The Office of Apprenticeship and Training, U.S. Department of Labor, for adoption by Local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees and to assist Local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees in complying with applicable law and lawful regulations issued thereunder.
2. GENERAL SELECTION PROCEDURES
A. Applications will be available to anyone who is interested, during announced application period.
B. Applications for Service & Repair Plumber Apprentices will be available beginning April 8, 2024 through May 17, 2023 at the Training Center, 454 Link Road, Houston, Texas between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:30 pm. The application and submission of required documentation will be electronic. The link to the online application can be found on the plu68.com website or by contacting the Training Center for an emailed link. The application is NOT AVAILABLE until the advertised application period of April 8, 2024 through May 17, 2024.
C. Interviews will be held at intervals designated by the local JATC, and will be granted to all who meet the minimum qualifications. The number of new apprentices to be accepted shall be determined before starting interviews.
D. Eligible applicants (applicants acceptable after interview) not chosen for entrance into apprenticeship will be held in a pool of eligibles until new applications are received.
E. Applicants not interviewed because they lack the minimum qualifications will not be considered until they correct any deficiencies (schooling, etc.) they may have and reapply during the next application period.
3. THE INTERVIEW SESSION
A. Each applicant shall be interviewed by members of the Committee.
B. After a brief introduction, the Committee will ask questions of the applicant with the purpose of finding out as much as possible about the individual and about the capacity to participate in apprenticeship.
C. Questions for the interview and for purpose of evaluation will be on topics related to job performance such as: work experience, school record, mechanical abilities, motivation, and vocational training.
D. Evaluation must be based on a standard of industry needs, and not by a comparison with other applicants.
E. Excellent will be given a numerical range of 16 to 20; Good will be given a numerical range of 11 to 15; Fair will be given a numerical range of 6 to 10; Poor will be given a numerical range of 1 to 5; Unacceptable will be given a zero value.
F. All applicants will be asked the same questions.
4. REQUIREMENTS FOR PROBATIONARY APPRENTICES ACCEPTED DURING INTERVIEWS
A. Serve as a Probationary Apprentice for a period of 1 year (1,700-2,000 hours of on-the-job training).
B. Serve a 5 year apprenticeship including the probationary period (8,500-10,000 hours of on-the-job training).
C. Report for work on a regular basis.
D. Provide for your transportation to and from the job site.
E. Work under the direction of a journeyworker on the job site and perform job duties satisfactorily.
F. Attend related training classes regularly and maintain an acceptable average in those classes.
G. Purchase text material for use in related training classes as required.
H. Abide by all rules and regulations of the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee.