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Local Union 597 Hybrid Program


Hybrid Registration Currently Closed


As of this writing, the Hybrid Welding Program registration is closed. We currently have over 300 persons registered. Please have any interested individuals visit this website for information and updates. The Hybrid Welding Programs in Mokena and Volo will continue. Registration will not re-open until the current list is exhausted.

Applications to the apprenticeship remain open on the first Wednesday of the month.


Information about the Hybrid Program

A student must pass both a urinalysis and hair follicle drug tests and possess a valid driver’s license to be accepted into the hybrid welding program.

The class will be held Monday-Friday from 7:00a.m.-3:30p.m. for a maximum period of 16 weeks. A student may practice on Saturdays, if he/she so decides and space allows.

A student will be discharged upon his/her third absence, third tardy or third early dismissal (non-catastrophic).

If a student shows a high skill level at the beginning of the program he/she can be placed on an accelerated schedule. The student will be allowed to pass as many of the visual requirements as quickly as possible. If the student successfully passes the required visual tests, he/she will then have the opportunity to take the UA-21. If the student passes the UA-21 he/she will have the choice of indenturing as a 2nd year Apprentice or continue training for the UA-22 with the possibility of indenturing as a 3rd year Apprentice upon successfully passing the UA-22.

A student must pass a mandatory visual inspection of a plate weld (horizontal & vertical) by the end of his/her third week (120 hrs.) of training. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program. This visual inspection will be performed by a certified AWS/CWI-UA ATR inspector.

A student must pass a mandatory 1G 6" Sch. 80 (side bend) weld test (2 tries) at the end of his/her sixth week (240 hrs.) of training. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program. Bend tests will be performed by MSI.

A student must pass a mandatory visual inspection of 2G 6" Sch. 80, 5G 6" Sch. 80 and 6G 6" Sch. 80 weld tests at the end of the his/her twelfth week of training (480 hrs.) Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program. This visual inspection will be performed by a certified AWS/CWI-UA ATR inspector.

A student must pass mandatory visual inspections of the following required welding samples before being allowed the opportunity to take the UA-21 weld test: 2-2" XXS 2G position, 2-2" XXS 5G position and 3-2" XXS 6G position. Inspections will be made by a certified AWS/CWI-UA ATR inspector.

A student will be required to take the UA-21 welding test at the end of his/her sixteenth week (640 hrs.) of training. Radiographic tests will be performed by X-Ray Associates

If a student passes the UA-21, he/she will have the opportunity to be placed in the second year of the Apprenticeship program or the student may continue training for the UA-22. If the student decides to begin the Apprenticeship program, he/she will be assigned to a contractor for employment as an Apprentice welder. Second year Apprentice wages will be paid at the beginning of employment.

If a student passes both the UA-21 and UA-22 welding tests, he/she will be placed in the third year
of the Apprenticeship program and will be assigned to a contractor as an Apprentice welder. Third year Apprentice wages will be paid at the beginning of employment.

If a student completes sixteen weeks of training but fails to pass the UA-21 welding test during this period he/she will be allowed to enter the Apprenticeship program as a 1st Year Apprentice. His/her start date will be based upon when a new group would be orientated.

A student must provide their own personal protective clothing and work boots. The training center will provide students with a welding hood, safety glasses, face shield, ear plugs, file, wire brush, replacement lenses, hammer and electrode holder.


Revised 09/30/08