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Become an Apprentice
Interested in working in the pipe trades?
The Mountain States Pipe Trades Association provides our members with the training they need to succeed in the ever-changing pipe trades industry.
All MSPTA pipe trades apprentices complete a five-year United Association registered apprenticeship program to become well-rounded pipe tradesmen and tradeswomen who can take on the leading construction and infrastructure projects in the mountain states.
During this training program, you have the opportunity to earn while you learn. This means that as you get on-the-job training with experienced journeymen and classroom instruction from accredited instructors, you will earn a livable wage and great benefits.
How Do Apprenticeships Work?
Registered apprenticeships are voluntary, industry-driven programs sponsored by employers and employer associations, and jointly by management and labor. Registered apprenticeship means the apprenticeship is registered with the state, and the program has to comply with state and federal regulations.
Registered apprenticeship requires:
- A ratio of one apprentice to one skilled journeyman
- 2,000 hours of on-the-job training per year of apprenticeship
- A minimum of 144 hours of classroom instruction per year of apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are full-time jobs, and apprentices are hired at a percentage of a journeyperson’s salary. As the apprentice completes training sections and demonstrates mastery of skills, their wage increases until they make the journeyperson’s wages upon completing the program.
Most apprenticeships take three to five years to complete depending on experience. Once you successfully complete a registered apprenticeship, you will receive a nationally recognized Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship attesting to your attainment of skills and knowledge to be considered a journeyperson.
