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Steamfitter (Refrigeration/Service) Apprenticeship

What Does a Steamfitter Do?
What Are the Working Conditions?
How is the Training Structured?
What are the Application Requirements?
What Skills Should I Possess?
Who Do I Contact?
Additional Resources

Did you know?*

• Job opportunities should be very good, especially for workers with welding experience.
• Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters comprise one of the largest and highest paid construction occupations.
• Apprenticeship programs generally provide the most comprehensive training, but many workers train in career or technical schools or community colleges.

*Statistics retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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What Does a Steamfitter Do?

Steamfitters (Refrigeration/Service) install, start-up, perform preventative maintenance, troubleshoot, diagnose and service heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, equipment and controls in piping systems which carry water, steam, chemicals, compressed air, liquid gasses or fuel used in energy production, heating, cooling, food processing, manufacturing, lubricating and other process piping systems.

They install, service, and start-up components of heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning systems including basic knowledge as follows:

• Blueprint reading, drawings, specifications, and written instructions from manufacturers.
• Rigging, setting, supporting and controlling related equipment.
• Measure, cut, bend, prepare and join all types of pipe, including threading, welding, brazing, soldering, cementing, mechanical joining.
• Pressure test systems to detect leaks.
• Test systems to detect problems in electronic, pneumatic, digital, electrical, software or programmable logic controls.
• Works independently on proper piping practices in the industry and confirms proper function of installed/repaired heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, equipment and controls.

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What Are the Working Conditions?

The work is performed at various jobsites, including new construction, hospitals, industrial, chemical, power and waste water treatment plants, and most other commercial or institutional buildings, as well as residential sites. Work is accomplished in buildings, trenches, on roofs or inside tunnels or confined spaces. Work usually requires exposure to weather conditions, extreme temperatures, and loud noise. Steamfitters (Refridgeration/Service) work both indoors and outdoors at physically demanding tasks that often require climbing and heavy lifting (over 50 lbs.), strenuous physical stamina with walking, standing and working in cramped or high areas using appropriate Personal Protection Equipment. Steamfitters operate various hand and power tools, heavy equipment, welding machines, cutting torches and other industry related equipment.

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How is the Training Structured?

• 5 year training program
• 8,000 hours on-the-job training
• 500 hours paid related instruction
• Apprentice must complete Red Cross First Aid, CPR and OSHA Safety Training Courses
• Apprentice must attend a certain number of hours of unpaid related instruction determined by the local committee.
• Apprentice must in his/her final year complete the Transition-To-Trainer Course

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What are the Application Requirements?

• Must be 18 years of age
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Meet required norms on aptitude test (if required)
• Physically able to perform trade work
• Valid driver's license or reliable transportation

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What Skills Should I Possess?

• Active Listening & Learning- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Analyzing Data or Information- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Coordination- The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Critical Thinking/Troubleshooting- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Deductive/ Inductive Reasoning- The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Dependability- Job requires being reliable, responsible and dependable; and the ability to be to work on time every day and able to fulfill obligations.
• Initiative & Responsibility- Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges, the ability to take direction, accept criticism and perform in a stressful environment.
• Work Ethic- Ability to get to work and school on a timely and consistent basis, must be self-directed with a good attitude. Ability to work smoothly with others as a team to complete a task.
• Time Management- Ability to be self motivated, responsible, dependable, and work independently without close supervision.
• Customer Relations- Ability to work with co-workers and customers. Able to explain services provided and collect fees for the services provided.
• Transportation- Ability to get to and from various job sites and school.
• Physical Skills-
  • Ability to lift over 50 pounds.
  • Ability to get to and from various job sites and school
  • Ability to climb ladders and work at heights.
  • Ability to work in confined spaces.
  • Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
  • Ability to learn to read blueprints and see details in close proximity.
  • Ability to communicate with co-workers.

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Who Should I Contact In My Area?

Choose your area:
Northeast
Northwest
Southeast
Southwest

Northeast

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan Jane Kramer
Appleton Area Steamfitting JAC	Suite D 3315 N Ballard Rd Appleton, WI 54911-8988 Phone: (920) 734-3148 Fax: (920) 734-6754	Burt Harding
Green Bay Area Steamfitting JAC	Suite D 3315 N Ballard Rd Appleton, WI 54911-8988 Phone: (920) 734-3148 Fax: (920) 734-6754	Burt Harding
Tri-City Area Steamfitting JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: (715) 832-1014 Fax: (715) 832-9507	Debbie Fochs
Wausau Area Steamfitting JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: (715) 832-1014 Fax: (715) 832-9507	Debbie Fochs

Northwest

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan
Eau Claire Area Steamfitting JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: (715) 832-1014 Fax: (715) 832-9507	Myra Stachowicz
Tri-City Area Steamfitting JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: (715) 832-1014 Fax: (715) 832-9507	Debbie Fochs
Wausau Area Steamfitting JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: (715) 832-1014 Fax: (715) 832-9507	Debbie Fochs

Southeast

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Jane Kramer Mary Harrington
East Central Steamfitting JAC	Suite D 3315 N Ballard Rd Appleton, WI 54911-8988 Phone: (920) 734-3148 Fax: (920) 734-6754	Sandra Destree
Kenosha/Racine/Walworth Steamfitting JAC	P.O. Box 591 Sturtevant, WI 53177-0591 Phone: (262) 884-8104 Fax: (262) 884-8104	Sandy Brietzman
Madison Area Steamfitting JAC	3300 S 103rd St Milwaukee, WI 53227 Phone: (414) 543-0601 Fax: (414) 543-7721	Debbie Schanke
SE WI Area Steamfitting JAC	3300 S 103rd St Milwaukee, WI 53227 Phone: (414) 543-0601 Fax: (414) 543-7721	Kay Haishuk

Southwest

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan
La Crosse Area Steamfitting JAC	2406 Ridge Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: (715) 832-1014 Fax: (715) 832-9507	Kathy O'Sullivan
Madison Area Steamfitting JAC	3300 S 103rd St Milwaukee, WI 53227 Phone: (414) 543-0601 Fax: (414) 543-7721	Debbie Schanke

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Additional Resources

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains information on all occupations. For more information on the Steamfitter trade in the United States, visit:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos211.htm

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Sources: Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Position Descriptions,
Apprenticeship in Wisconsin Handbook

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