Plumber/Pipefitter at Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 333
at Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 333 in Jackson, MI
About This Program
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 333, based in Jackson, Michigan, offers a union JATC plumber/pipefitter apprenticeship for the south-central Michigan region. This program is jointly sponsored and provides apprentices with a structured path into the mechanical trades through paid work experience and formal technical education aligned with United Association standards.
The five-year program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices rotate through job sites in the region, developing hands-on skills in plumbing, pipefitting, and steamfitting systems. Coursework covers pipe materials and joining methods, system design principles, Michigan plumbing codes, safety regulations, and trade-related mathematics.
Graduates complete the program as journey-level plumbers and pipefitters and become full members of Local 333. Union membership provides access to collectively bargained wages, health benefits, and retirement programs, along with job opportunities through a network of union contractors across southern Michigan.
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 Michigan
Plumber/Pipefitters in Michigan are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes.
View full Michiganlicensing requirements →Reviews
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