Plumber/Pipefitter at Springfield Plbrs & Pipefitters L.U. #104 JATC
at Springfield Plbrs & Pipefitters L.U. #104 JATC in Holyoke, MA
About This Program
The Springfield Plumbers & Pipefitters L.U. #104 JATC offers a union apprenticeship program in Holyoke, Massachusetts. As a JATC-administered program, it reflects the high training standards of the United Association and provides apprentices with both union-negotiated wages and comprehensive trade education from the start.
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 western Massachusetts region, gaining experience with plumbing, pipefitting, and steamfitting systems in commercial, industrial, and residential construction. Classroom instruction covers pipefitting theory, welding, code requirements, safety, and mechanical system design.
Graduating apprentices earn journey-level status and become full union members of Local 104. This opens access to a wide network of signatory contractors, competitive union wages, healthcare benefits, and a pension, making this one of the more comprehensive career pathways available in the western Massachusetts construction industry.
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.
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 Massachusetts
Plumber/Pipefitters in Massachusetts are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters.
View full Massachusettslicensing requirements →Reviews
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