If you are a student, your teachers or counselors will be able to help you select classes to prepare for apprenticeship. With their guidance you can plan course work to obtain the skills in mathematics (specifically Geometry and Trigonometry), reading comprehension and basic science. These skills are necessary to be successful in an apprenticing profession.

In most instances, a great deal of time and money is required to prepare for your career. In a registered apprenticeship you can actually earn while you learn your chosen occupation.

Once you are accepted into the 5 year apprenticeship program you will attend school for trade related training.  The school day will be one day every other week.  The nine remaining days you will be assigned to one of our signatory contractors and work as an apprentice plumber with a journey plumber under the supervision of a master plumber.  The regular work day is Monday through Friday starting at 7:00 am and ending at 3:30 pm.  Jobs may work some overtime which could include working after 3:30 on week days and working weekends.

A high school diploma or GED is required for apprentice applicants. Mathematics, science and industrial technical courses are especially helpful in being considered for an apprenticeship.

Apprentices gain valuable skills and knowledge, making them more marketable in the future.

Apprenticeship can serve as an entry point into a long lasting career.

Apprentices have the opportunity to learn a trade, earn a good wage, and have job security.

You must be 18 years of age at the time of the application

You must be a high school graduate or have a GED

You must have a valid driver’s license at the time of application and interview

You must be drug free

An apprentice plumber is required to:

Serve a 5 year apprenticeship that includes 10,000 hours of on the job training and related classroom instruction.

Obtain and maintain registration as a plumber apprentice with the State of Michigan.

Work under the direct supervision of a Journey or Master Plumber and perform job related duties in an acceptable manner.

Provide your own reliable transportation to and from any jobsite within the jurisdiction of Plumbers Local 98 and to and from the Training Center.

Attend related training classes regularly and maintain a grade point average of 75% or higher in those classes.

Purchase books and normal school supplies for the related instruction classes

Obtain an Associate Degree through Washtenaw Community College in partnership with Plumbers Local 98 Apprenticeship Program

Adhere to all policies and procedures as provided by Plumbers Local 98 Joint Apprentice Training Committee.

Submit to Substance Abuse Testing when required.

A Michigan licensed plumber is responsible for the installation of a system of pipes and equipment conveying water, air or gas, as well as soil, waste and vent piping found in industrial, commercial, institutional and residential buildings.

Their work may include hydronic and radiant heating. Licensed plumbers may be certified in welding, backflow prevention and the medical gas systems used in hospitals, medical and dental facilities.

Apprenticeship is a formal system of employee training that combines on-the-job training with related technical instruction. It is designed to produce craftworkers who are fully competent in all aspects of an occupation including knowledge, skill and proficiency on the job.

With apprenticeship training, there is a written contract between the apprentice and the employer or apprenticeship program sponsor, which is approved by and registered with the US Department of Labor. This agreement specifies the total length of training, number of school hours (related technical instruction) and an outline of the skills of the trade to be learned and the wages the apprentice will receive.

Please begin by creating an account. Once your account is created the online application will be available.

Complete the online application and upload a copy of your high school diploma or GED certificate with the “Official Report of the Test Results” and a copy of your valid driver’s license. You will receive notification that these documents have been accepted by the Training Center.

You must also register and take the Work Keys Assessment test. This can be taken at Macomb Community College and the registration information is available with the application once you have created an account. Once the Work Keys test results are uploaded and accepted by the Training Center your application is complete.

You will be notified by the Training Center and you will be placed on the roster of applicants eligible for interview.

Working as an apprentice plumber you must have the ability to get anywhere in the Metropolitan Detroit and Southeastern Michigan area. It is possible that you may be required to report to work in Pontiac today, Port Huron tomorrow and Flat Rock the day after. So reliable transportation is very important in your ability to access the work.