Building Skills, Advancing Careers, and Setting the Standard in the Piping Trades
Training
Our commitment to world-class workforce development ensures that every UA member—whether an apprentice or journeyman—has the skills, knowledge and confidence to excel in today’s demanding construction and service environments.
UA education and training programs set the benchmark for industry excellence, safety, and career advancement in the skilled pipe trades. This is achieved through a combination of rigorous classroom instruction, hands-on experience, and ongoing professional development.
The Pathway for a Lifelong, Upwardly Mobile Career
The UA’s Registered Apprenticeship Program
At the heart of the UA’s education and training system, is our Registered Apprenticeship Program, a time-tested model that blends paid on-the-job training with structured classroom learning. UA apprenticeships are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and Canadian authorities, ensuring graduates meet the highest industry standards and are recognized nationwide.
Key Features of the UA Registered Apprenticeship Program:
- Earn While You Learn
Apprentices receive competitive wages and benefits from Day One, with no student debt. - Comprehensive Curriculum
Programs cover plumbing, pipefitting, HVACR, welding, and fire protection, combining theory with real-world application. - State-of-the-Art Training Centers
UA training centers across North America provide access to the latest tools, technologies, and hands-on labs. - Mentorship and Support
Experienced instructors and journeymen guide apprentices through every stage of their training.
Nationally Recognized Certifications
Graduates earn certifications that give partner contractors confidence in their readiness for any jobsite. These credentials open doors to rewarding careers and advancement opportunities for UA members.
The UA Registered Apprenticeship Program is not only a pathway to a stable, well-paying job, but also the foundation for a lifelong, upwardly mobile career in skilled trades.
A Core Part of the UA’s Education Model
Journeyman Upgrade Training
The UA is committed to regular, ongoing education, recognizing that technology, codes, and best practices evolve over time. This is why journeyman upgrade training is a core part of the UA’s education model. These advanced courses allow journeymen members to:
- Stay Current
Learn about new materials, installation techniques, safety protocols, and industry regulations. - Advance Their Skills
Gain expertise in specialized areas such as medical gas, industrial process piping, green technologies, and building automation. - Maintain Certifications
Fulfill requirements for license renewal, safety training, and professional credentials. - Increase Work Opportunities
Ongoing training positions them for promotions, foreman roles, or specialized project assignments.
UA training centers offer a wide variety of upgrade courses, both in-person and online, ensuring members can access education that fits their schedules and career goals.
Validating a Member’s Expertise in Specialized Areas
Certification Programs
The UA offers a comprehensive range of nationally recognized certification programs to ensure members remain at the forefront of the piping, plumbing, HVACR, and fire protection industries.
These certifications validate a member’s expertise in specialized areas such as medical gas installation, welding, backflow prevention, green building practices, and advanced safety protocols.
By earning and maintaining these credentials, UA members demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence, safety, and professional growth. This, in turn, instills confidence in contractors, owners, and clients regarding the quality and reliability of their work.
Certification programs are regularly updated to reflect the latest codes, technologies, and industry standards, ensuring UA members are always prepared for evolving project demands.
Some of the certifications available to UA members include:
- UA Welder & Welder Operator Certification
- UA Crane Signalperson Certification
- UA Green Professional Building Skills Certificate Program (GPRO-UA)
- UA/MCAA Foreman Certification
- UA/EPRI Industrial Rigging & Signage Certification
- UA/EPRI Valve Technician Certification Program
- UA/EPRI Instrumentation Technician Certification Program
- AWS™ Certified Welding Inspector
- UA Energy Audit Certification
- UA/ASSE Backflow Certification
- UA OSHA Certification
- UA Medical Gas Technician Certification Program
- EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Program
- UA Nuclear Mechanic Program
- Authorized Testing Representative
- UA Plastic Piping Installer
- UA Non-Destructive Testing
- MT-Magnetic Particle Testing
- PT-Liquid Penetrant Testing
- UT-Thickness Measurement Testing
- STAR Certification
- Industrial Tube & Pipe Bending Certification
Mental Health Training
Recognizing the importance of mental health and well-being in the skilled trades, the UA integrates mental health training into its education programs.
Members have access to resources and workshops focused on stress management, suicide prevention, peer support and building a culture of openness around mental health issues. These initiatives empower UA members to recognize warning signs, support one another and foster a safer, more supportive workplace environment.
By prioritizing mental health education, the UA helps ensure that every member has the tools to thrive on and off the jobsite.
Education and Training Newsletters
To keep members informed and engaged, the UA publishes regular education and training newsletters. These newsletters deliver the latest updates on apprenticeship opportunities, certification courses, safety initiatives, technological advancements and best practices in the piping trades. They also highlight member achievements, success stories and upcoming training events at UA’s network of training centers.
By staying connected through these newsletters, UA members can take full advantage of ongoing learning opportunities and remain at the leading edge of their profession.