Boilermakers indenturement?

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Just got a call and I will on April 10th be going to a 3hr indenturement to become a boilermaker apprentice.I was told that it was not a call that meant to quit my current job, because there isn't really any work right now. I am okay with that for time being as I am working as a pipe welder for a non union pipe and steam fitting outfit.1)So my questions are, has anyone been through this process that can shed some light on me so I know what to expect?2)indenturment- what the hell does that actually mean? My understanding was that a servant would learn a trade from there master without pay until the servant did there time and then went out alone with the trade they learned3) I have heavy wall tube certs and ASME pipe certs, do they still give credit for these towards the 4 year apprenticeship?I have more but ill start with these.The Local is Local 5 zone 197 been waiting almost a year for this call. I was taught by a boilermaker to weld and I have never seen anyone weld like this guy before or since. So I figured man I want to be a boilermaker so I can weld like this guy too lol
Reply:This may be of interest to you.  West coast Canada but the jest is there.  Basically indenturement means you agree to obey some rules, keep your nose clean, and maintain your test scores and in return they offer the specialized training and work as available.  Here we have a rotating board  system where your name comes up you get offered the job (as compared to senority).  There may be some stiff rules about refusing jobs as part of the contract is to both balance your education and help the union man the work.  Apprentices get paid according to year  level starting around 65% journeyman rate.  Usually there's credit given for welding  tickets.  Depending how the non-union sector is making out in your neighborhood, this may be the only way to get into heavy industry.  I suspect a lot of people don't realise the scope of work boilermakers do.  Spend some time and check out the site and photo album (click on pictures).http://www.boilermakers359.org/pages/bmcareer.htmLast edited by OldSparks; 04-01-2013 at 11:51 AM.
Reply:Thanks for that info.
Reply:I now know what it means. It was just a quick run down of work performed, signing of paperwork, kinda like any first day on the job paperwork. Policies and what not.Just incase anyone else gets curious.
Reply:First congratulations in making it in, I have been trying to get in the Iron Union in the NYC with no luck. I was looking in to the boilermaker union and they say they take applications year long and unlike most unions they dont play favorites(ie family members). I am going to School to get some experience and will be looking at them when i get out. Local 5 Zone 5
Reply:Thanks!So far the few people I have met are great people. There isn't work for us apprentices at the moment. The word is actually a Cogen going up down in NYC area that will last our apprenticeship come fall. Our local is small local 197, I think maybe 150 members. Right now I'm still tryin to find the lay of the land with them and the instructors are still trying to feel us out. Originally 6 of us were called beginning of April 2 never showed up and one failed his drug screening. So stay clean!
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderjamieThanks!So far the few people I have met are great people. There isn't work for us apprentices at the moment. The word is actually a Cogen going up down in NYC area that will last our apprenticeship come fall. Our local is small local 197, I think maybe 150 members. Right now I'm still tryin to find the lay of the land with them and the instructors are still trying to feel us out. Originally 6 of us were called beginning of April 2 never showed up and one failed his drug screening. So stay clean!
Reply:wow congrdualtions welder jamie have you started working yet. I have heard in my are local 5 zone 5 that the took 17 aprentices and they all started working. i have since moved up on the list to 9. ad probaly by next year i will be in. also if your planing on getting in the apprenticeship get the tig root 7018 pipe cert its the only way you will get in the top pool