(Compulsory certification required)
Installs piping, equipment and controls for hot water, steam, process and chemical piping in industrial and commercial establishments.
Wage Rate: $28.60 (Construction minimum wage, not including benefits)
Do you enjoy careful, precision work? Could you use hand and power tools and other things mechanical? Are you in good physical shape? If you would like to work in a highly specialized trade, enjoy variety and hands-on work, consider becoming a Steamfitter-Pipefitter.
Steamfitters-Pipefitters work both inside and outdoors, laying out, assembling, fabricating, maintaining and repairing piping systems that are used to carry steam, water, air, gases, chemicals, solids and fuel in industrial and manufacturing plants and in water purification and water treatment systems.
You can get a jump-start on your future career in the construction trades by checking out construction courses offered at colleges and high schools. These hands-on courses will help you build the basic skills you will use in the construction industry.
While you're still in high school, you can begin an apprenticeship program as a Senior Years Apprentice and earn both high school and apprenticeship credits at the same time. After high school graduation, many Senior Years apprentices continue in regular, full-time apprenticeship programs.
To enter the Steamfitter-Pipefitter apprenticeship program full-time, you must be at least 16, be a Senior 4 graduate, or, as a mature student, have an equivalent academic standing. Applied Math, Physics, English (particularly reading comprehension), drafting and computer knowledge are important subjects to have to enter this trade.
5 levels including four in-school sessions.
In Manitoba, to work as a Steamfitter-Pipefitter, you must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson. You must have a qualified employer who is willing to train you as an apprentice. To register in the apprenticeship program, you and your employer complete an application form together and submit it to the Apprenticeship Branch. Once the application is approved, apprenticeship training begins under the supervision of a certified journeyperson.
During training you must apply for your Gasfitter licence.
The first four levels consist of on-the-job practical experience and some in-school technical training. (Work hours and school time must total at least 1800 hours per level.) Level five is devoted entirely to gaining on-the-job experience. Applicants who have successfully completed related courses of study or work experience may be eligible for advanced standing in the apprenticeship program.
The Apprenticeship Branch arranges your classroom technical training. When you go to school, you pay a small portion of the tuition and are responsible for the cost of any required books and supplies. Most apprentices are eligible for employment insurance (EI) when they go to school.
When you successfully complete all levels of training, and score at least 70 % on your final examination, you receive a Certificate of Qualification confirming your status as a certified journeyperson. Your certificate also has "Red Seal" endorsement that means your trade qualifications are generally recognized throughout most of Canada.
For more detailed information on apprenticeship training in this trade, check the Apprenticeship web site at : http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/aet/apprent/index.htm
Wage Rate: $28.60 (Construction minimum wage, not including benefits).
Employers provide holiday and vacation pay and may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits. The value of the benefits can range from 20% to 30% over and above the basic hourly pay rate. Steamfitter-Pipefitters work about 40 hours a week. Overtime is sometimes required to meet construction deadlines.
As the work is specialized, fully certified Steamfitters-Pipefitters are usually in constant demand. Steamfitters-Pipefitters find employment with pipeline and general construction contractors and in maintenance departments of commercial and industrial businesses such as thermal or steam generating plants, manufacturing factories, utility companies, hospitals, schools, oil refineries, gas plants, pulp mills and chemical plants.
Experienced Steamfitters-Pipefitters can advance to supervisory positions like foreman, sub-contractor, contractor and construction superintendent. With additional training, they can transfer their skills to related trade occupations such as Sprinkler System Installer, Plumber, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic or Industrial Welder.