Apprenticeship
The Apprenticeship Training Program of Sprinkler Fitters Local 821 is a five
year program in the field of Fire Sprinkler Systems installation. Under the
guidance of a Labor/Management agreement, it is the second oldest registered
training program in the state of Florida. The program consists of related
classroom and lab instruction, along with on-the-job construction site training.
Each person accepted into the training program becomes a member of United
Association Sprinkler Fitters Local Union 821, and enters the Apprenticeship
Training Program on a one year probationary period, being assigned to a
contractor through the Apprenticeship Office and begins work in the field
immediately. Apprentices are advanced to a higher wage category on an annual
basis, as long as they meet the criteria of 160 hours of classroom instruction
and 1700 hours of on-the-job training. Currently, the wages for apprentices in
the training program range from a first year apprentice at $12.75 per hour to
the fifth year level of $21.68 per hour. Pension plan and healthcare coverage
for each apprentice and their spouse and legal dependents are provided without
deductions from the hourly wage.
Those who apply to the program must:
-
prove to be at least 18 years of age
-
achieved a high school diploma or GED equivalency
-
have reliable transportation
to the jobsite and classroom location
-
be able to travel and work at jobsites
anywhere in the state of Florida
-
be physically able to perform the work of the trade
Previous work history documented in the field of Fire Sprinklers will be
considered for placement credit upon acceptance into the training program.
The Apprenticeship Program has four training centers in the state of Florida.
These centers are located in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Ft. Lauderdale.
Classes are held in the evenings, generally from the months of September through
the middle of June depending on the schedule at the various training centers.
The instructors at each training center attend 40 hours of classroom training
each summer in order to maintain their teaching credentials and stay current on
the constantly evolving innovations of the Fire Sprinkler industry. Instructors
for Sprinkler Fitters Local Union 821 apprenticeship training program have a
combined 162 years of experience in the field of Fire Sprinklers.
For more information or questions about Fire Sprinkler Apprenticeship
Training, contact the Apprenticeship Office at (904) 260-1312.