How to Be a Pipe Fitter

If you are seeking a skilled trade that doesn't rely on the residential construction market's ebbs and flows, becoming a pipe fitter may be the job for you. Your education and training will give you the skill you need to install and repair low-pressure and high-pressure lines consisting of a variety of alloys and the connection techniques used for all of them. Your training will also include blueprint reading, designing the most efficient flow for pressurized piping systems, the proper use of the tools of the trade including welding, and how to test your installations and repairs. Installing lines that carry liquids and gases under pressure is a job that requires you to be physically fit, agile, and have the ability to work with or without direct supervision and take pride in your work.

Instructions

1. Consider if the apprentice program at United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of United States and Canada (UA) is the best way for you to become a pipe fitter. The UA and its local unions and training programs will allow you to work as a pipe fitter at any plant or job that uses union labor. During the five years that you are an apprentice you will work at a variety of job locations that use pressurized piping systems and take 1,700 to 2,000 hours of classes that will give you the title of Journeymen Pipe Fitter when you complete the apprenticeship program. Ua.gov has a career profile link where you can request information from a Local Union and Training Program in your area.

2. Consider a nonunion based training and education program. There are pipe fitting training programs offered through community colleges, trade schools and direct hire on-the-job training. If union participation isn't prevalent in your area, you've already worked in a related trade like plumbing or you'd just prefer to enter the pipe fitting trade through education or a nonunion apprenticeship program, you can find quality programs such as the Piping Industry Progress and Education (PIPE), the Pipe Fabrication Institute (PFI) and your local trade schools and community colleges.

3. Obtain a well-rounded skill and education program that leaves you with the knowledge needed to work on any of the materials required in any pipe fitting application. At some point you may choose to specialize in one of the pipe fitting applications, but in order to explore the pipe fitting job market thoroughly you will need to have the skills to assemble and test the full range of pressurized piping systems. According to the U. S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009 Edition, pipe fitting pays a median hourly wage of $14.58 and is classified as a very good job prospect.

Tips & Warnings

• Speak to a few of your local contractors before choosing a nonunion education program. In some areas municipality work requires union labor.

• Being 18 years of age and having the ability to stoop, stand and crawl while holding or working on pipes that may be heavy is part of the job.

References

• UA's Information Request Form
• PIPE's Contact Information

Resources

• U.S. Dept of Labor's Report on Pipe Fitters
• SP College's Report On Pipe Fitters