Pipefitters Union Interview

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Hi WeldingWeb,    In a few weeks I will have an interview with the Pipefitters Union. I am just looking for general advice/info from experience like what type of questions might be asked or how to dress for the interview. Thanks!Aspiring Top-Notch WeldorLooking for work/experience in Eastern Massachussetts
Reply:Have you been accepted into the union ? Are you going to take a question answer test ? Welding test ?  Or, just going there for the first time.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Have you been accepted into the union ? Are you going to take a question answer test ? Welding test ?  Or, just going there for the first time.
Reply:In my hall we there are two only weeks out of the year  to apply for the apprenticeship program. You apply. Take a math test about a week later. Then about two months later if you passed the math test you get an interview. I found out I was accepted a month after the interview. If you are not accepted at first, be patient. Some of the apprentices quit or get fired pretty quickly. So you could be on the back up list.Local 83
Reply:Another part to mention is that the interview normally includes the Hall's president, vice, and owners of some Mechanical Contracting company's. Questions Why do you want to be a pipefitter? What interests you about the career?Do you have a current job? Or are you just looking for one?It is extremely important to understand that most apprentice programs in the UA are for 5 years. Joining a local Pipefitter hall is a career, not a job. Nothing short term or to mess around with.Local 83
Reply:Since you have the interview, are they accepting applications for this year ?  Sometimes it takes a year to get in if you are accepted. Do you have any family members that are FITTERS ? Do you know any FITTERS in that local ? Do you have a CONTRACTOR that would SPONSOR YOU ?I would make sure to let them know about WHO YOU KNOW and that's why you are interested. If you know some fitters ask if they could talk to the owner to set you up to see him about a sponsor before your UNION interview.  In other words it could be who you know . I don't know how work is there but many locals things are tough. My brother tried to get his son in about 5 years ago. Things were bad. Myself and my two brothers [ who I got in 25 years ago] have over 80 years in the UNION. I have 41 myself. [NOW RETIRED]  We could not get him in ! Hopeful things are better now in your area.
Reply:Originally Posted by RodBenderIn my hall we there are two only weeks out of the year  to apply for the apprenticeship program. You apply. Take a math test about a week later. Then about two months later if you passed the math test you get an interview. I found out I was accepted a month after the interview. If you are not accepted at first, be patient. Some of the apprentices quit or get fired pretty quickly. So you could be on the back up list.
Reply:Originally Posted by akatzHmm, that's interesting.  I was not told anything about a math test, and I definitely did not take one!  Maybe they do not do the math test here (or they do it later) because it has been about two months since I applied.Thanks for that info.  I do realize that applying to the apprenticeship is prettyserious business, and have put a lot of thought into it.  It sounds as though the inteview is pretty formal if the president and vice-president will be there.  I'm trying to get an idea of appropriate dress for the interview as well.Yikes.  If it comes down to who I know, it will definitely be a battle against the odds for me.  I do not know any fitters, I have no contractor to sponsor me (currently), and furthermore, I am the only one in my family, immediate and extended, who is working in/trying to break into the trades.  I am applying at Local 537 in Boston, MA, and I haven't really been able to get a sense of how big the hall is, aside from the fact that they posted an announcement recently saying that they initiated 90 apprentices in the 2014 class.  That sounds big to me, but I don't really have anything for comparison.
Reply:THIS ? http://www.pipefitters537.org/    90 Apprentices raise their right hand as they recite the pledge of oath at the Pipefitters Association Local Union 537's,  1st Year Apprentice Initiation Ceremony held Tuesday night, March 18, 2014.It sounds like if you are accepted it will be for 2015 . I'm sure you looked this over already.http://www.pipefitters537.org/appren...p.aspx#content
Reply:first interview will most likely be very informal, they don't care if you can weld, soldier, thread pipe, it will be your h.s diploma, verbal work exp. and putting the stink eye to you like the girl in h.s dad did when you were taking her to prom, drug test ,background check will come if acc. if you can weld, soldier ect. don't brag cause you will be de-programed to do it the U.A. way if your accepted.     BD1 were you a lu23 member
Reply:''BD1 were you a lu23 member'' ?  No sir, I'm LOCAL 597 CHICAGO , ILLINOIS.
Reply:I wore jeans (nice clean) and a tucked in long sleeve flannel shirt. I would like to say I looked "blue collar" good. The interviewers were wearing Khaki dress pants and golf shirts. No ties. So I wouldn't suggest wearing a suit or looking like a lawyer. Some locals have a Pre-Apprentice program where you aren't s 1st year, but you do go to work and have some classes at the hall. This is a great way to get your foot in the door. At my hall they are paid $15.60 I believe, but no insurance. And you pay very reduced union dues, $7.00 a week. There is also a 16 week welding program. I personally do not like this at all. You report to the training center for 16 weeks and they teach you to weld pipe for free..... But you don't get paid. And if you can weld decently by the end. You are started as a 2nd year apprentice. But in my local the 16 weekers are not very respected or liked at first, so I advise staying away from that.Local 83
Reply:I went through the process last year, for Local 597 chitcago. Unfortunately, they don't hire too many 43 year olds, now that there is very little work around here. I would suggest to look presentable, nice pants and button down shirt, at least. Two guys I know that got in wore suits, although I don't think it is a must.Some questions I remember from mine and others interviews;- What would you do if you got a flat tire on the way to work- What would you do if your car broke down on the way to work- Do you know what pipe fitters do- What would you do if you got into an altercation with someone on the job- Name a time when you got into an altercation with a superior- Tell us a little about yourself and your past workI might be able to remember more if I keep thinking about it. Good luck, I wish it turned out better for me but it didn't. I tried a couple years too late, or I would have been a shoe in with the help of the fitters I know. It's a dream job with dream money, if you ask me."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1''BD1 were you a lu23 member'' ?  No sir, I'm LOCAL 597 CHICAGO , ILLINOIS.
Reply:Hey, I just had my interview today and it went pretty good i think, but i guess i wont be sure for a month lol. How did yours go?
Reply:Originally Posted by R_clarkHey, I just had my interview today and it went pretty good i think, but i guess i wont be sure for a month lol. How did yours go?
Reply:Originally Posted by akatzI think mine went pretty well too. The interviewer seemed pretty interested in my welding skills. He said that I should hear back in about 4-6 weeks. I heard the guy who was directing everyone where to go say that there were 503 interviews today!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:What's on the math test?
Reply:Originally Posted by ProgressWhat's on the math test?
Reply:I still have not heard anything back, and was wondering if anyone has heard back yet. It's almost been 2 months now.
Reply:I called the union hall earlier this week to ask when we would hear back and was told that the letters would be mailed in the next week or week and a half.Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkAspiring Top-Notch WeldorLooking for work/experience in Eastern Massachussetts
Reply:Oh awesome. Thank you for the info.
Reply:Originally Posted by R_clarkOh awesome. Thank you for the info.
Reply:Originally Posted by NE2013I know two people who were already accepted, they were notified last saturday. I still havent recieved anything as of friday. I hope that isnt bad news for us. good luck though.
Reply:still nothing! I'm getting really antsy over here, and my optimism is slowly but surely slipping away...Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkAspiring Top-Notch WeldorLooking for work/experience in Eastern MassachussettsOriginally Posted by akatzstill nothing! I'm getting really antsy over here, and my optimism is slowly but surely slipping away...Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Soo, I'm in Oregon and noticed you guys are in Massachussets. No one that applied to the union I did has heard anything and it's been 33 days now..Everyone was supposed to be notified for testing. How long does this take?
Reply:Originally Posted by ProgressSoo, I'm in Oregon and noticed you guys are in Massachussets. No one that applied to the union I did has heard anything and it's been 33 days now..Everyone was supposed to be notified for testing. How long does this take?
Reply:Originally Posted by NE2013That makes two of us. I just want to find out for sure so I can stop worrying about it.
Reply:Sorry man, that sucks.
Reply:Yea I finally got my letter the other day too and I didn't get in
Reply:Im sorry to hear that you didn't get in to the union, but this should be motivating you to do better the next time this application is offered. Study up on your math maybe and see what happens. It's unbelievable how much math I do at work, but now i enjoy doing it...     It took me 3 applications to get into my union. And my local offers 1000 applications every OTHER  year. And when the economy was bad, they made us wait 3 years to offer it. I just got in last year and i am finally in the apprenticeship in my 2nd year, and i also got accepted into our welding program!! They only took 8 of us so it really was something to be excited about. Don't give up. If this is something that you want really bad, you'll get it...      I had to sleep on a Queens, NY sidewalk just to get an application, from Friday night until Monday morning. And remember i did it 3 times total, and it rained on us for 2 of them. One of the apps was offered on the 5th of July, so you know where i was on the 4th. During my 3rd interview, the business agent and the other interviewer saw how bad i wanted this. There will be a happy ending to this story if thats the way you want it to end.      And dont worry about not knowing anybody in the union...I did it on my own and I'll be a journeyman in no time!  DO NOT GIVE UP. Go back next year and make it so they can't turn you down.Good luckPlumbers Local 1 NYC