Programs

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  • HVAC Mechanical Service Pipe Fitter

    HVAC Mechanical Service Pipe Fitter

    Scope of Work:

    Maintain and repair mechanical systems for heating, cooling and refrigeration. Most equipment is located outdoors.

    Areas of Work:

    Residential (Houses), Commercial (Office Buildings, Warehouses, Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Ice Rinks & Hospitals) Industrial (Oil Refineries, Nuclear Plants, Steel Mills & Factories).

    Length of Apprenticeship:

    • 440 hour-full time pre apprenticeship orientation training program (11 weeks)
    • Five (5) years – Minimum 1100 hours of related instruction.
    • 1st through 5th Year an Apprentice works for a Union contractor four days per week and attends school one day per week (7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.).

    Basic Requirements:

    1. Applicant must be an American citizen or in the process of naturalization.
    2. Applicant must be at least 17 years of age (Age as shown by a birth certificate).
    3. Applicant must submit a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
    4. Applicant must be physically able to perform the duties of the trade.
    5. Applicant must pass a written test and oral interview.
    6. Applicant must pass two drug tests (Hair follicle & urinalysis).
    7. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
    8. Work experience in construction or working with mechanical equipment is helpful, but not necessary for acceptance.

    Recommended Preparatory Courses:

    1. General Mathematics
    2. Algebra
    3. Geometry/Trigonometry
    4. Basic Electricity
    5. Basic Refrigeration and Heating
    6. Computer Skills
    7. Communication & Writing Skills

    Wage Information:

    An Apprentice earns a percentage of the Journeyman’s wage.

    Benefits:

    1. Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
    2. Pension
    3. Voluntary 401(K) Plan

    Application Locations:

    Pipe Fitters’ Training Ctr. L.U. 597
    10850 W. 187th St.
    Mokena, Il. 60448
    Phone: 708.326.9240 x2239
    Email: Adam Sutter, asutter@pftf597.org

  • Building Trades Pipe Fitter

    Building Trades Pipe Fitter

    Scope of Work:

    • A Pipe Fitter measures, fabricates, connects, installs and maintains piping for process-piping systems.
    • A Pipe Fitter may work on the following systems; steam, water, air, natural gas, chemical, hydraulic, heating, cooling, etc.

    Areas of Work:

    Industrial, Chemical, Power, Wastewater Treatment, Food Processing, Nuclear Plants, Steel Mills, Oil Refineries, Hospitals, Residential and Commercial Buildings, etc.

    Length of Apprenticeship:

    • 440 hour-full time pre apprenticeship orientation training program (11 weeks)
    • Five (5) years – Minimum 1100 hours of related instruction.
    • 1st and 2nd year – approx. nine months working full time for Union contractor plus 400 full time classroom hours (10 weeks) per year
    • 3rd thru 5th year – twelve months working full time for Union contractor plus up to 60 classroom night hours (unpaid) per year.

    Basic Requirements:

    1. Applicant must be an American citizen or in the process of naturalization.
    2. Applicant must be at least 17 years of age (Age as shown by a birth certificate).
    3. Applicant must submit a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
    4. Applicant must be physically able to perform the duties of the trade.
    5. Applicant must pass a written test and oral interview.
    6. Applicant must pass two drug tests (Hair follicle & urinalysis).
    7. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
    8. Work experience in construction or working with mechanical equipment is helpful, but not necessary for acceptance.

    Recommended Preparatory Courses:

    1. General Mathematics
    2. Algebra
    3. Geometry/Trigonometry
    4. Basic Arc Welding
    5. Shop Classes

    Wage Information:

    An Apprentice earns a percentage of the Journeyman’s wage.

    Benefits:

    1. Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
    2. Pension
    3. Voluntary 401(K) Plan

    Application Locations:

    Pipe Fitters’ Training Ctr. L.U. 597
    10850 W. 187th St.
    Mokena, Il. 60448
    Phone: 708.326.9240 x2239
    Email: Adam Sutter asutter@pftf597.org

    Pipe Fitters’ Local Union 597 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

  • Hybrid Program

    Hybrid Program

    Hybrid Welding Program

    The hybrid weld program is a highly structured pre-apprentice skills development environment designed to provide specialized training, and necessary weld experience to qualify for direct entry into Local Union 597’s Building Trade Apprenticeship Program.

    • Candidates must pass urinalysis and hair follicle drug test, and posses valid drivers license for acceptance into the program.
    • The student must provide his/her personal protective clothing, weld hood and work boots.
    • Mandatory class participation is required for 18 weeks, Monday-Friday, 7:00a.m. – 3:30p.m.
    • Strict attendance standards must be maintained throughout the duration of course. A student will be discharged upon his/her third non-catastrophic absence, tardy or early quit.
    • Additional night (3:30-8:00 pm) and Saturday (7:00-3:30 pm) training hours are recommended to complete the following weld performance benchmarks. A student will be discharged for failure to achieve performance objectives within required time allotments. All visual inspections will be performed by AWS/CWI-UA Authorized Test Representatives.
    • Visual inspection of 3-F & 3-G ‘W’ plate assembly within 3 weeks.
    • Visual inspection of 1-GR 6″ Sch. 80 pipe within 6 weeks.
    • API 1104 Radiographic Inspection of 5-G, 6″ Sch. 80 pipe sample within 9 weeks.
    • Visual inspection of ambidextrous 2-G & 6-G heavy wall 6″ pipe assemblies within 12 weeks.
    • Visual inspection of ambidextrous 2″ socket weld assemblies within 15 weeks
    • UA 60 Weld Certification Test within 18 weeks. Ambidextrous technique recommended.
    • Upon successful completion of 18-week course and UA-60 weld certification exam, the student will be indentured as a first-year Local Union 597 Apprentice. Five additional weeks of paid Pre-Apprentice Orientation Training will be required prior to assignment to a Contractor.  First year wages and benefits will be paid at the beginning of employment with a signatory contractor.

    For more information regarding the application process, please contact Local Union 597 Training Fund Admissions Director.

  • Gas Distribution

    Gas Distribution Pipe Fitter

    Scope of Work:

    • Install and maintain both plastic and steel gas mains, services, and metering equipment.  Joining of pipe by means of fusing, welding, and threaded connections.  All work is preformed outdoors, generally within excavations.

    Areas of Work:

    • Residential neighborhoods, rural farmland, inside metering stations, and storage facilities.

    Length of Apprenticeship:

    • 440 hour-full time pre apprenticeship orientation training program (11 weeks)
    • Five (5) years – Minimum 1100 hours of related instruction.
    • 1st and 2nd year – approx. nine months working full time for Union contractor plus 400 full time classroom hours (10 weeks) per year
    • 3rd thru 5th year – twelve months working full time for Union contractor plus up to 60 classroom night hours (unpaid) per year.

    Basic Requirements:

    1. Applicant must be an American citizen or in the process of naturalization.
    2. Applicant must be at least 17 years of age (Age as shown by a birth certificate).
    3. Applicant must submit a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
    4. Applicant must be physically able to perform the duties of the trade.
    5. Applicant must pass a written test and oral interview.
    6. Applicant must pass two drug tests (Hair follicle & urinalysis).
    7. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
    8. Work experience in construction or working with mechanical equipment is helpful, but not necessary for acceptance.

    Recommended Preparatory Courses:

    1. General Mathematics
    2. Algebra
    3. Geometry/Trigonometry
    4. Basic Arc Welding
    5. Shop Classes

    Wage Information:

    An Apprentice earns a percentage of the Journeyman’s wage.

    Benefits:

    1. Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
    2. Pension
    3. Voluntary 401(K) Plan

    Application Locations:

    Pipe Fitters’ Training Ctr. L.U. 597
    10850 W. 187th St.
    Mokena, Il. 60448
    Phone: 708.326.9240 x2239
    Email: Adam Sutter asutter@pftf597.org

    Pipe Fitters’ Local Union 597 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

  • HVAC Controls Service Pipe Fitter

    HVAC Controls Service Pipe Fitter

    Scope of Work:

    The HVAC controls technician is responsible for the installation, programming, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance of Building Automation Systems used to control mechanical equipment.

    Areas of Work:

    Commercial (Office Buildings, Warehouses, Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Ice Rinks & Hospitals) Industrial (Oil Refineries, Nuclear Plants, Steel Mills & Factories).

    Length of Apprenticeship:

    • 440 hour-full time pre apprenticeship orientation training program (11 weeks)
    • Five (5) years – Minimum 1100 hours of related instruction.
    • 1st through 5th Year an Apprentice works for a Union contractor four days per week and attends school one day per week (7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.).

    Basic Requirements:

    1. Applicant must be an American citizen or in the process of naturalization.
    2. Applicant must be at least 17 years of age (Age as shown by a birth certificate).
    3. Applicant must submit a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
    4. Applicant must be physically able to perform the duties of the trade.
    5. Applicant must pass a written test and oral interview.
    6. Applicant must pass two drug tests (Hair follicle & urinalysis).
    7. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
    8. Work experience in construction or working with mechanical equipment is helpful, but not necessary for acceptance.

    Recommended Preparatory Courses:

    1. General Mathematics
    2. Algebra
    3. Geometry/Trigonometry
    4. Basic Electricity
    5. Basic Refrigeration and Heating
    6. Computer Skills
    7. Communication & Writing Skills

    Wage Information:

    An Apprentice earns a percentage of the Journeyman’s wage.

    Benefits:

    1. Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
    2. Pension
    3. Voluntary 401(K) Plan

    Application Locations:

    Pipe Fitters’ Training Ctr. L.U. 597
    10850 W. 187th St.
    Mokena, Il. 60448
    Phone: 708.326.9240 x2239
    Email: Adam Sutter, asutter@pftf597.org

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