Apprenticeships

We don’t believe in a handout, we believe in a hand up. That’s why our apprenticeships our one of the most important parts of our program. Our participants have the chance to gain real world work experience, while continuing to learn and progress toward full-time, well-paid employment.

Boilermakers Local Union #154 represents more than 2,000 members in western Pennsylvania, two counties in Ohio and two counties in West Virginia. Boilermakers possess a full range of knowledge and skills required to work in the boilermaker construction industry. These duties include boiler making, welding, acetylene burning, asbestos abatement, chipping, caulking, reaming, fiberglass laminating, fitting-up, grinding, rigging, riveting, scaffold erection and dismantling, stack work, steel erection, tube rolling, impact machine operating and other work activities. The broad scope of the boilermaker trade includes construction and maintenance work performed on a variety of project work sites in industrial and commercial plants such as cement plants, fertilizer plants, water treatment facilities, breweries, steel mills, power plants, electric power generation plants, gas turbines, gas processing plants, refineries, pulp and paper mills, and many other industrial and commercial facilities.
Bricklayers and Allied Crafts Local Union #9 represents approximately 2,000 workers in the trowel trades across western Pennsylvania. Bricklayers build walls, partitions, arches, fireplaces, chimneys and other structures from bricks, blocks, structural tile and other pre-made materials. In addition to bricklayers, Local 9 represents stone masons, marble workers, pointer-cleaner-caulkers, tile workers and terrazzo workers. Stonemasons and marble workers build walls, partitions, arches, fireplaces and other structures from natural and cultured stone and marble. Pointer-cleaner-caulkers work on the restoration of masonry buildings, reinstall mortar, replace bad caulking, clean and point masonry, stone, and brick surfaces. Tile workers build walls, restore flooring, bathrooms and other rooms and amenities in commercial and residential settings, working with ceramic tile or other natural and man-made tile products. Terrazzo workers build and install concrete or epoxy-based flooring, stairs, sidewalks, and driveways in hospitals.
Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local Union #526 is a member of the Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons International Association (OPCMIA). The Local has nearly 500 active members and its jurisdiction covers 33 counties in western Pennsylvania. Among other work activities, cement masons smooth and finish exposed concrete surfaces on projects such as walls, floor, steps, sidewalks, driveways, and roads. The bulk of the work is in commercial and industrial buildings, as well as in heavy highway construction.
The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council #57 offers joint apprenticeship training in the crafts of painting, drywall finishing, and glazing. The Council has over 1,500 members living within 31 counties in Pennsylvania. Painters handle a wide range of finishing projects that include residential, commercial and industrial customers that perform surface preparation and protective coatings to ornate paint finishes and wall coverings. Also included in painting services are bridge and tank painters that sandblast or waterblast before a surface can be painted. Drywall finishers are experts in sealing joints between gypsum board and other wall board to prepare surfaces and ceilings for painting,
Local Union #5 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents nearly 3,000 active members who reside within 22 counties in Pennsylvania. Electricians install, maintain and test power, lighting, communications and other systems in commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. Also covered is residential work and all the power, lighting and systems in houses and apartment complexes. Electricians are trained in instrumentation and in the use of fiber optics.
Elevator Constructors Local Union #6 represents nearly 300 workers across 26 counties in Pennsylvania, two counties in Ohio and five counties in West Virginia. Elevator constructors install, repair and maintain elevators, escalators, wheelchair lifts, home lifts, dumbwaiters and movable walks.
Partnerships for success

The United Steelworkers and other partners support the work that we do. We work closely with with other unions as well as employers, organizations, governments, and companies.