Plumber/Pipefitter at Fresno Area Plumbers, Pipe & Refrigeration Fitters JATC
at Fresno Area Plumbers, Pipe & Refrigeration Fitters JATC in Fresno, CA
About This Program
Fresno Area Plumbers, Pipe & Refrigeration Fitters JATC offers a union apprenticeship program in Fresno, CA, covering plumbing, pipefitting, and refrigeration fitting for California's Central Valley. This JATC-administered program partners with union employers to provide paid, hands-on training throughout the full five-year apprenticeship.
The program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain practical skills in water supply and drainage systems, process piping, and refrigeration line installation and maintenance. Classroom coursework covers pipe system design, California plumbing and mechanical codes, refrigeration principles, and jobsite safety.
Graduates complete the program as journey-level Plumbers/Pipefitters with broad technical skills across multiple trade specialties. Union membership through the Fresno Area JATC connects graduates to steady work opportunities, negotiated wages, and employee benefits throughout the Central Valley region.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$30
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
5 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
How to Apply
Plumber Career Outlook
National Median
$30.46/hr
~$63,356.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$15/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Plumber employment is projected to grow steadily, driven by new construction, building renovation, and the need to replace aging water infrastructure. Water efficiency regulations and green building standards are creating additional demand for skilled plumbers. The trade consistently ranks among the hardest positions for employers to fill, indicating strong job security.
What to Expect as a Plumber/Pipefitter Apprentice
Duration
5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~115 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Plumber
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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