The truth is that now more than ever, stable and rewarding careers can be found in this industry. These careers have long-term benefits. The industry is rich in opportunity, and future workers choose these fields because they want to provide stability to their families.
The starting pay and benefits in the booming plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC industry equal up to nearly $40 per hour, and that’s just the start of it. Once the appropriate training has been completed, a career in the basic plumbing trade can become a stepping stone to a number of specialty areas in the field. Specialty areas offering increased salaries and benefits, such as CAD drafting, plumbing estimating, and project management, to name a few, are areas up the career ladder that are reachable in the plumbing industry.
Today, your average “plumber” simply cannot wear all the hats of the entire plumbing and pipefitting industry. The industry has grown tremendously over the last 30 years alone, and due to advancements in technology and the capabilities of the industry, areas of specialty have also branched out. Highly trained individuals in those capabilities are greatly sought after.
That said, your average “plumber” isn’t just repairing broken sinks or water closets. “Plumbers” often work on large construction projects and are skilled in many areas. More than anything else, the technical training and schooling they have are keys for success to the craftspeople in the plumbing and pipefitting industry.
The continued technological growth in this industry has created a need for sharp, motivated, and responsible people who have the talent and desire to complete an apprenticeship program and continue their education throughout their career. There is a growing need for companies to find and retain skilled craftspeople. A skilled workforce translates into the longest-lasting, highest-quality construction available. We continue to drive home the message that “there is no substitute for skill and experience.”
Gaining the necessary training to succeed is extremely important. Unionized specialty contractors have invested millions of dollars statewide toward skills training and apprenticeship programs. This is an important financial commitment that continues to increase because construction companies and building owners are realizing the value of hiring contractors that employ a highly skilled, highly trained workforce, thus assuring top-quality, cost-effective construction that includes meeting deadlines and producing a finished product that is functional and meets the owners’ needs.
One of the biggest advantages for those training with the JAC program is that apprentices actually earn $250,000 in wages and benefits, including employer-paid family healthcare with dental and vision coverage, and pension during a five-year training program. College credits toward a four-year bachelor’s degree are also earned throughout the training program.
Education is a huge benefit for those who want to take advantage of the strong need for skilled craftspeople. These jobs are not merely side jobs or in-between jobs; they are careers that offer financial stability and the option for growth and advancement.
The industry remains strong today and looks to maintain its solid foundation for years to come. We are not in a “good old days” scenario anymore. It is a highly competitive marketplace, and we must adapt with proper training in the fields of plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC-refrigeration to what is happening in the present for success in the future.
About the Author
Carl Triphahn is the executive director for P.I.P.E., the Piping Industry Progress and Education Trust Fund. P.I.P.E. contractors have long been industry leaders in providing the highest-quality craftsmanship, construction services, and products through education, training, and resource information. Establishing their authority has been crucial to the industry due to the void of training and education programs of this stature. Because of that, P.I.P.E. is looked to as the best resource available for locating qualified plumbing and mechanical contractors for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Established in 1954, P.I.P.E. helps its members and their unionized P.I.P.E. trades provide the highest-quality construction products in Arizona through performance, education, informational materials, and promotion of ethical standards for business conduct. There are more than 100 members throughout Arizona. P.I.P.E.’s web address is www.pipetrust.org, and its phone number is 480-966-0377.
