Local 529 Waco JATC

Waco JATC started training apprentices in 1946. It is a non-profit Department of Labor approved apprenticeship program. We teach apprentices the information and hands-on training needed to become a journeyman in the pipe trades.

The apprenticeship program is 5 years long, in which you must get 8,500-10,000 hours of on-the-job training. The average 40 hour a week job adds up to almost 2,000 hours a year.

The starting wage is 50% of Journeyman scale. Apprentices get a raise every 6 months as long as progression requirements are met. Classes are two nights a week, three hours each night

Yes, there are technical schools that offer training for these trades in much shorter lengths of time. But the best thing about our program is it doesn’t cost our apprentices a dime! The Journeyman on the jobs are highly skilled and qualified workers, and our instructors are too. Our instructors attend instructor training programs hosted by the United Association every year to stay on top of the industry’s standards and products.

All applicants are that have a complete application and have turned in all required documentation are guaranteed to get an interview. Interviews are held once a year before September. The number of apprentices accepted varies depending on the workload our contractors have.