Plumbers & Pipefitters Training

- 5101 J St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

For residents across Eastern Iowa looking to establish a rewarding, high-skill career without accumulating crushing student debt, the Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC) of UA Local 125, Plumbers and Pipefitters, represents a premier pathway. Located in Cedar Rapids, this facility is the hub for developing the highly qualified professionals who build and maintain the critical infrastructure—from residential systems to nuclear power plants—that keeps our communities running safely.

The Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center is not a typical educational institution; it is a collaborative effort between the United Association (UA) Local 125 and its signatory contractor partners. This partnership is dedicated to providing rigorous, state-of-the-art training for the next generation of plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC/R technicians in a five-year, earn-while-you-learn model. This commitment to 'Excellence Through Education' ensures that every graduate emerges as a highly skilled, certified, and competent journeyperson ready for the demands of modern construction and industrial maintenance across Iowa.

The program's core mission is founded on the principles of unity, skill, and integrity, upholding strong labor standards and advocating for fair wages and safe working conditions. By investing over $4 million dollars into the training facility, Local 125 demonstrates a commitment not just to its members, but to the professionalism and quality of work in the entire Eastern Iowa construction and mechanical industry. This commitment extends beyond trade skills, fostering a strong sense of community support, as reflected in positive feedback from local groups that have utilized their facilities.

The extensive and debt-free education offered here addresses a critical need in the skilled trades workforce, providing a viable alternative to traditional four-year college degrees for motivated individuals who prefer hands-on learning and immediate career progression.

The Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center is conveniently located in Cedar Rapids, serving as the central training hub for UA Local 125 across Eastern Iowa. This strategic location ensures accessibility for apprentices and journeypersons traveling from various cities in the region for their required classroom instruction and continuing education courses.

The Training Center is situated at:

5101 J St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, USA

This location houses two large buildings featuring the most up-to-date classrooms, labs, and specialty training areas, making it one of the best facilities of its kind in the country. The physical facility includes a comprehensive welding shop, an impressive refrigeration lab with over $100,000 in trainers, and dedicated plumbing technology labs, ensuring apprentices have access to hands-on experience with modern equipment and technologies.

The Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center offers two main categories of service: a comprehensive Apprenticeship Program for career newcomers and Continuing Education for existing journeypersons. While the supplied information noted 'Repair services,' the core function is training the individuals who perform those essential repair and installation services.

• Five-Year Apprenticeship Program: A highly selective program combining 8,500 hours of on-the-job training with 240-280 hours of related technical and theoretical instruction per year in three main trades:
  • Plumber: Training to install drinking water, waste, ventilating systems, and sanitary facilities in residential, commercial, and manufacturing settings.
  • Pipefitter (Steamfitter): Instruction on fabricating, assembling, installing, maintaining, and repairing complex, high- and low-pressure piping systems used in power plants, factories, and HVAC/R systems.
  • HVAC/R Technician: Training to install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and industrial refrigeration systems.
• Technical Classroom Instruction: Comprehensive courses cover essential subjects including Trade science, Math (including algebra and trigonometry), Basic Electricity, Blueprint Reading, Pipe Fabrication, and Instrumentation Controls.
• Safety and Compliance Training: Mandated instruction in OSHA Health and Safety requirements, CPR/First Aid, and specialized safety protocols.
• Journeyman Upgrade/Certification Classes: Continuing education to maintain and upgrade professional credentials, including:
  • Backflow Testing and Repair
  • Medical Gas Installation and Recertification (Med Gas)
  • Refrigerant Recovery (CFC)
  • Boiler Operator Certification
  • Plumbing and Mechanical Code Updates
• Academic Advancement: Partnership with Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids, IA) and Washtenaw Community College (Ann Arbor, MI) allows apprentices and journeypersons to pursue an Associate's Degree of Applied Science in Apprenticeship Pipefitting alongside their trade training.

The Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center provides exceptional value through a series of benefits designed to support career success for Iowa's workforce.

• Debt-Free Education Model: Apprentices "Earn While You Learn," receiving paychecks and benefits from day one of the five-year program, eliminating the need for student loans and helping them graduate debt-free.
• World-Class Training Facility: The $4+ million investment ensures access to state-of-the-art technology, including high-tech labs for welding (power-piping and food-grade automatic welding) and refrigeration, preparing members for the most complex industrial work.
• National Industry Certification: Apprentices earn industry-recognized credentials, including UA Welding and OSHA certifications, which are valid and respected across the United States and Canada.
• Community-Centric Approach: The organization actively advocates for working families and collaborates with the community. Testimonials highlight their generous community involvement, such as allowing a local Performance Group to utilize their facilities, noting the "wonderful facilities" and "beautiful kindness."
• High Employment Rate: Graduates of the apprenticeship program are highly sought after, filling critical roles in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, including specialized fields like nuclear power plants and bio-diesel fuel facilities.
• Comprehensive Benefits: As part of the union membership through UA Local 125, members and their families gain access to comprehensive health and welfare benefits and retirement planning options.

For career seekers in Eastern Iowa interested in the apprenticeship program, for journeypersons needing certification renewal, or for inquiries regarding the facility:

Address: 5101 J St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, USA

Phone: (319) 363-1263

Please note that while the provided number is (319) 363-1263, the official JATC application materials also cite an alternate phone number of (319) 362-9259 for application inquiries, underscoring the high volume of interest in their programs.

For any Iowan considering a career in the pipe trades, choosing the UA Local 125 Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center means selecting a proven path to a stable, well-compensated career with zero student debt. This center offers a five-year commitment that results in a professional license, national certification, and a strong union support network, ensuring fair wages and job security. The extensive investment in training facilities and curriculum speaks to the high quality of the tradesperson they produce—a level of skill essential for managing Iowa's vital infrastructure, from clean water delivery in homes to complex HVAC in major medical facilities.

The organization’s dedication to its community and its foundational values of skill and integrity also make it a responsible choice for those who value being part of a strong, positive force in the Cedar Rapids area. As one reviewer stated: "I want to personally thank union members for all they do for their community," highlighting the value the union places on community support alongside its technical excellence. While applicants should be prepared for a rigorous, physically demanding, and highly selective five-year commitment, the end result is a highly rewarding, debt-free career that provides the foundation of Eastern Iowa's industrial and residential quality of life.

Plumbers & Pipefitters Training

5101 J St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, USA