UA 400 Pipe Trades and the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) held its fourth Annual Apprentice Signing Day on September 20, 2024, at the UA 400 Training Center in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, to recognize 101 first-time apprentices as they begin their five-year apprenticeships. The breakdown of first year apprentices by trade is as follows: 22 Fabricators, 24 HVAC Service Technicians, 22 Plumbers and 33 Construction Steamfitters. This year’s event, modeled after the National Signing Day for college athletes, recognized UA 400 first-year apprentices who have secured employment with thirty-four UA 400 signatory contractors.
“This is the 4th annual Apprentice Signing Day that Local 400 has held and each year this event continues to grow,” said UA 400 Business Manager Doug Dokey. “For some of these apprentices, this is their first time meeting different individuals from the contractor that awarded them the apprenticeship. This event gives both apprentices and contractors alike an opportunity to gather and form a strong bond that will be crucial throughout the apprentice’s 5-year program. This is one of the first steps in helping our apprentices find their path to success.”
UA 400 signatory contractors, representing the MCA, who are employing the new apprentices include A&J Mechanical, Aldag-Honold Mechanical, August Winter & Sons, AZCO, AG Mechanical, B&P Mechanical, Bassett Mechanical, Beno Plumbing & Heating, Coenen Mechanical, CR Meyer, Edwin C. Garot Plumbing & Heating, EGI Mechanical, Energy Control & Design, Enerpipe, Gartman Mechanical Services, Great Lakes Mechanical, Griffith Stainless Welding LLC, GRP Mechanical, Haucke Plumbing & Heating, Hurckman Mechanical Industries, J.F. Ahern, John’s Refrigeration, Johnson & Jonet Mechanical, Kurt Zenter & Sons, Piping Service Inc., Piping Systems, RJ Parins Plumbing & Heating, S & S Mechanical, Scour Plumbing, Drain & Sewer, Straightline Refrigeration, Team Industries Inc., Tweet-Garot Mechanical, Valley Mechanical and Wisconsin Mechanical Solutions.
“Apprentice Signing Day is a crucial step for contractors as it represents the future of a highly skilled workforce,” said Jeff Gaecke, Executive Vice President of the Mechanical Contractors Association. “The partnership between MCA and UA 400 is crucial in ensuring that contractors have access to well-trained trades men and women who are prepared to meet the evolving demands of the industry. Having the confidence to rely on UA 400’s apprentices and eventually journey workers means our projects are built with precision, safety, and efficiency, driving longterm success for everyone involved in the industry.”
Speakers who addressed the apprentices and guests included Sara Rodriguez, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor; Tony Penterman, Mayor of Kaukauna; Doug Dokey, UA 400 Business Manager; and Jeff Gaecke, Executive Vice President of the Mechanical Contractors Association.
“I just finished paying off my student loans for degrees that I never used two years ago,” said first-year steamfitter apprentice Jennifer Smith. “The Union, they pay you to go to school and learn hands-on throughout your apprenticeship. Zero debt and great pay not to mention great benefits and a pension. I wish I would have started sooner but it’s never too late.”
Currently, there are a total of 406 UA 400 apprentices working towards their apprenticeship. UA 400 Pipe Trades in conjunction with its signatory contractors offer paid apprenticeships in pipe fabrication, plumbing, steamfitting, and HVAC-R service. The five-year apprenticeship programs provide classroom instruction with UA Certified Instructors and on-the-job training with a contractor alongside experienced journey workers and apprentices. Graduates of the UA 400 Apprentice Program are trusted to deliver only the highest quality of work in the pipe trades industry. UA 400 works in conjunction with MCA to serve the unique needs of contractors in Northeast Wisconsin. Once an apprentice has completed his/her apprenticeship and becomes a journey worker, continuing education opportunities are available to all UA members through specialized training and certification programs.
For more information on UA 400 apprenticeships, visit https://ua400.org/get-started-now/
About UA 400 Pipe Trades
The UA 400 Pipe Trades, headquartered in Kaukauna, Wisconsin with an office in Fond du Lac, is comprised of approximately 2,555 members serving eighteen counties in Northeast Wisconsin. The organization is affiliated with the United Association (UA) with an estimated 372,000 members throughout the United States and Canada. The group’s mission is to be the preferred choice for industries, employers and workers specializing in plumbing, HVAC service, pipe fabrication and steamfitting and provide training for its members and qualified manpower to its 105 signatory contractors. UA 400 takes pride in their partnerships and contributions to serve local communities including Cerebral Palsy Telethon, Special Olympics, Rebuilding Together, Heat’s On Program, Harbor House, Freedom House, Journey to Adult Success Program, Salvation Army and more. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about UA 400, visit http://www.ua400.org follow us on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.