STEPS TO APPLY TO THE PIPE FITTERS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

 Applications are not accepted in person, only online.

• Proof of age, such as a copy of your birth certificate, driver’s license, or state-issued ID (You must be 18 years of age or older to apply)
• Your high school diploma issued by the school and
• Your transcripts from the last high school you attended (official or unofficial) with your graduation date. Yes, we need your high school transcripts. You may also provide your college transcripts, but we require applicants' high school transcripts. 
• To claim veteran status on the application, upload a copy of your DD214 or current military ID.

Diplomas must be obtained from high schools with regional accreditation.  Diplomas from high schools with national accreditation will not be accepted. Diplomas purchased after a single exam online are not accepted.

If you have a GED, you must still provide a copy of your transcript from the last school you attended and a copy of your GED certificate with your test scores. 

If you were homeschooled, at a minimum, provide proof of graduation as well as a transcript documenting courses completed and grades received on such courses.

If you have not yet graduated from high school, you must be at least 18 years old to apply. Request a seven-semester transcript and a letter on school letterhead from the high school indicating that you are on track to graduate and the day on which you will graduate, in addition to a copy of your birth certificate. Within 30 days after graduation, you must provide us with a copy of your diploma and your final transcripts showing your graduate date. Failure to provide these documents will result in your application being marked rejected and void.

To obtain your high school transcript, contact the high school where you attended and request them from the main office. We must have these in addition to a copy of your diploma to document your graduation date, and you must provide them even if you have a GED and/or graduated from college. If you have graduated, your transcripts must include your graduate date.

If you do not have your diploma, contact the high school and request that they write a letter on school letterhead that contains your legal name, the date of your graduation, and the signature of a school official.

EXAMPLES OF DOCUMENTS

We do NOT accept photographs of documents.

Document Submission Guidelines:

Legibility and Format:

• Ensure documents are clear, fully visible, and legible. Any obscured, blurred, or marked-out documents will result in application rejection.
• Use a scanner to upload your documents. Do not take photos. If using a mobile device, scan your documents using apps like PhotoScan, Notes (Apple), or Genius Scan (Android).
• Documents must be printable on 8.5x11" paper, except for driver's license images. When scanning, place documents on a solid-colored background. Do not include hands or other objects in the image.

Unacceptable Formats:

• Screenshots, images of your phone screen, and photographs of documents are not accepted.

Application Process:

• Submit your documents by clicking here. Applications are typically reviewed every Friday. After processing, you'll receive an email indicating whether your application was accepted or rejected. 
• If accepted, you will receive two emails with further instructions. Check all email folders, including Junk and Spam.
• If rejected, you will receive an email explaining the reasons. You may resubmit a new application. If you do not receive an email within 10 days of submitting your application, contact us.

Important Notes:

Contractor Hiring List: The list is continuously updated. If not hired immediately, regularly check the list on your Union Fusion account and continue sending your Eligibility Letter and resume to potential employers. If you applied within the last 12 months and lack a Union Fusion account, email applications@pftc533.com to request access.

Next Steps After Application:

• If interested in a contractor, send them your Eligibility Letter, résumé, and any other relevant materials. The list of contractors may change, so check back regularly.

• If a contractor contacts you, they will arrange interviews. If hired and you accept, you must stop interviewing with other contractors.

• The contractor will schedule an appointment for you at the Training Center. You can only start work as an apprentice after paying dues at the Business Office.

An application shall remain active for one (1) year from the date it has been submitted. If an applicant desires to have their application remain active beyond this one (1) year period, then the applicant is required to notify the Program of such desire in writing. Such written notice shall be made no earlier than sixty (60) days prior to the one (1) year anniversary date of the original application and no later than the one (1) year anniversary date of submission. Those applicants who notify the Program in writing (applications@pftc533.com) shall have their applications remain active for an additional year. Those applicants who fail to provide such a written notice shall be deemed inactive. An application may be renewed for a total of five (5) years. After such a time, the applicant will be required to complete a new application.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PLEDGE
Pipefitters Local Union No. 533 Education Training Program Fund will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sec (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years or older. Pipefitters Local Union No. 533 Education Training Program Fund will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as request under Title 29 of the Code of FedRegulations, part 30. Click here to read more about our Equal Opportunity Employment Pledge. 

Apprentice wages are based on what the Journeymen are making. 1st Year Apprentices start out at 50% of the Journeyman hourly wage and go to different percentages each year of the Apprenticeship. 2nd year 55%, 3rd year 60%, 4th year 70% and 5th year 75%.  A first year Apprentice is on probation for 1 year, upon completing that year the contractor then begins paying into their pension plan. Health care is provided after each member has completed a qualifying period and is part of the benefits package.

1. When are applications available?

2. Is there any cost involved with the application?

3. I cannot find my birth certificate, what should I do?

4. I was born outside of the United States and do not have a birth certificate?

5. I am unable to locate my high school diploma, will anything else work?

6. I cannot contact my high school because it burned down or was destroyed by other means and no longer exists?

7. I have a wallet size copy of my diploma or other required documentation is that acceptable?

8. I haven’t graduated from high school at this time what should I do?

9. I cannot provide my high school transcript but have my transcript from college. Is that acceptable?

10. I did not graduate from high school but have my GED what should I do?

11. I was home-schooled; what documents do I need?

12. After I submit my application, what comes next?