Plumber/Pipefitter at Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC, Lima Area Lu 776
at Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC, Lima Area Lu 776 in Lima, OH
About This Program
Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC Lima Area LU 776 offers a union Plumber/Pipefitter Apprenticeship based in Lima, OH. This Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program serves the Lima region and is jointly administered by LU 776 and area employers to ensure apprentices receive consistent, industry-standard training throughout the five-year program. Apprentices are paid for their work from the beginning, providing financial stability as they build a career in the trades.
The apprenticeship requires completion of 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on residential, commercial, and industrial projects in the Lima area, developing skills in pipe layout and installation, system testing, plumbing fixture installation, and mechanical equipment connections. Classroom instruction covers Ohio plumbing codes, safety regulations, trade math, blueprint reading, and fundamental pipe system design for both plumbing and industrial piping applications.
Graduating apprentices earn journeyman credentials and union membership through LU 776, with access to negotiated wages, health coverage, and retirement benefits. Lima's industrial base — including refinery and manufacturing facilities — alongside regional construction activity creates ongoing demand for skilled journeyman plumbers and pipefitters, and this JATC program provides the training needed to meet those opportunities.
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
Licensing in Ohio
Plumber/Pipefitters in Ohio are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board.
View full Ohiolicensing requirements →Reviews
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