Careers
Local UA 628 Careers
A career with UA Local 628 is something that comes with a sense of pride. Pride in knowing that you are one of the best of the best; pride in knowing that your job matters; pride in knowing that you represent a long line of tradesmen who have helped build the infrastructure of Northwestern Ontario and Canada. The UA Local 628 is home to welders, steamfitters and plumbers. All of our tradespeople work closely with other tradesmen and therefore have a great understanding of the skills that make up the various trades. It is this understanding of the different trades and how they can work together most efficiently that makes out members so valuable to employers and contractors.
Welders
UA Local 628 welders are among the most highly skilled in the country utilizing a variety of processes including stick, tig, and mig. Our welders are tested to the highest government standards. On-going training and practice makes our welders versatile and capable of handling all projects in a variety of industries including pulp and paper, mining, electricity production and major gas and oil pipelines.
Here are the steps that must be taken in order to become a Journeyman welder with UA Local 628:
Step 1: Present high school transcript, must have grade 12 and a valid drivers license.
Step 2: Present diploma from one-year training program from Confederation College or equivalent program. This program will provide the welder with their CWB (Canadian Welding Bureau) all-positions ticket. We also require completion of the Pipe Welding Program through Confederation College
Step 3: Pass F3/F4 and F6 SS welding practical tests.
Step 4: If applicants are successful in meeting all qualifications they will begin a 90 day on-the-job probationary period followed by their three-year apprenticeship with the union. This includes three in-school eight-week training sessions and 6000 hours of on-the-job training. Apprentices will begin at third year pay rate because of their prior training. This is 65 per cent of a Journeyman’s wage.
STEAMFITTERS
The steamfitting trade largely includes laying out, fabricating and installing piping systems. This job also includes maintenance and repair work to existing systems. Their work primarily deals with high pressure and high temperature steam and hot water. The trade also deals with natural gas, medical gas and process piping systems. Our steamfitters are responsible for some of the most complex heating and process systems in the province. Their work is most often in industrial settings although many of our steamfitters spend their career in the residential and commercial sectors.
Step 1: Present high school transcript, must have grade 12 and a valid drivers license.
Step 2: Take mechanical aptitude test provided by UA Local 628.
Step 3: If applicants are successful in meeting all qualifications they will begin a 90 day on-the-job probationary period followed by their five-year apprenticeship with the union. This includes three in-school eight-week training sessions and 9,000 hours of on-the-job training. Apprentices will begin at first year pay rate. This is 45 per cent of a Journeyman’s wage.
PLUMBERS
The plumbing trade entails a wide scope of work. Besides installing waste and vent systems, domestic water, natural gas, medical gas and heating systems are all part of the work that a plumber might perform. Due to recent public-water related issues it has become very important for plumbers to have back-flow and cross connection training. We can say that many of our plumbers have up to date certification to perform these tasks. Our Plumbers also install and repair pipes, fittings and fixtures in commercial, industrial and residential environments.
Step 1: Present high school transcript, must have grade 12 and a valid drivers license.
Step 2: Take mechanical aptitude test provided by UA Local 628
Step 3: If applicants are successful in meeting all qualifications they will begin a 90 day on-the-job probationary period followed by their five-year apprenticeship with the union. This includes three in-school eight-week training sessions and 9,000 hours of on-the-job training. Apprentices will begin at first year pay rate. This is 45 per cent of a Journeyman’s wage.
