Local 597 apprenticeship

[Lbird2222]

I took my aptitude test in January, I have an interview scheduled at the end of this month. My question is...Does anyone know if they are taking an HVAC class for 2010? I know they didn't last year, and they don't have any first years. Anybody know?

[tinner73]

you should call them.

[Lbird2222]

I called the school and the secretery said she wasn't sure. I guess I'll wait for the interview. Thanks.

[neophytes serendipity]

I called the school and the secretery said she wasn't sure. I guess I'll wait for the interview. Thanks.

The people in the office know the answer to the question.

If you want to get in, you have to follow the process.

[tinner73]

good luck.

[heavymetaldad]

Not sure if there is a service class this year. There are some apprentices on the bench, though. Seems construction training is ongoing. Good luck to you.

[Lbird2222]

Yeah, I went to the interview and there were about 500 guys there. The guy who was in charge said nobody knew if they were taking any classes, and that there were 54 apprentices on the bench. I am a union carpenter and want to switch over into HVAC. Big pay cut, but I think it's worth the sacrifice.

[flange]

even though we are currently coming out of a downturn, the prediction is for growth for years to come once money actually starts to move again. there is predicted to be a massive shortage of constructionpersonnel, trained and ready to go, so I cannot imagine a local not taking a class, unless they are a very small market.

[Lbird2222]

Local 597 is Chicago's Pipefitter's union. Chicago is one of the biggest markets in the country...so I don't know.

[neophytes serendipity]

The guy who was in charge said nobody knew if they were taking any classes, and that there were 54 apprentices on the bench.

Unless the person doing the interviews was not employed by the union hall, there is no way that "no one knows".

Someone knows... the BA's know... the instructors know... the people in the office know- unless the other 2 groups don't talk.

They may not be telling... so they don't have to deal with a riot... or lawsuits.

[Lash]

They may not be telling... so they don't have to deal with a riot... or lawsuits.

Or they may simply not know yet. The fall semester is a ways away yet. A lot of things can happen by then.

With that many apprentices on the bech I would say that they won't start any new classes. We haven't started a new class in almost 2 years and we currently have 30 apprentices on the bech.

I just took a 'Fire and Life Safety' class this weekend.
IIRC..... the NFPA is requiring all buildings in the city of Chicago to become 'up to date' on their life safty codes. Meaning all fire dampers, smoke dampers, combination dampers, accessories, and dedicated life safety systems need to be brought up to current code. I think the date it needed to be completed by was around 2015. Once that stuff start to open up you guys should be pretty busy. Maybe not so much on the fitter end though.


FWIW...

Construction usually lags behind the rest of the economy by about 18 months. Thats why it took a little longer for the construction industry to feel the slump. This also means that while corporate american is already seeing a supposed 'upswing'.... we will still be struggling for months to come.

[flange]

there are very large projects on the books, just waiting for money. the problem is getting money moving, due to banks and private equity having unwillingness to loan large sums at bargain basement rates. once money starts to move again, it will be fine for years to come.