Utah Career Center

Where the best in the construction industry
go to get even better

Our hands-on training, real world job experience, personal attention and knowledgeable instructors will prepare you for a prosperous career in plumbing, pipefitting, welding and HVAC&R.

What are you waiting for?

Utah Career Center has been training apprentices since 1944. Contact us today to start your future. Never settle for second best.

About Us

Utah Career Center is a program jointly administered by UA Local 140 and the Utah Mechanical Contractors Association. Utah Career Center has been training apprentices since 1944. Our goal is to provide the most highly skilled workforce for the plumbing, pipefitting and HVAC industries. Applications are available year round and must be picked up in person.

Plumber Apprenticeship

Your Path to a Prosperous, Successful Career as a Plumber

Skilled plumbers are in high demand. In fact, experts say that while there is currently a shortage of certified plumbers, the plumbing industry is growing remarkably, with no signs of stopping soon. For those in the plumbing industry, that’s great news! It means several earning opportunities and a strong, recession-resistant career with excellent salary prospects.

Whether you are thinking about getting into residential or commercial plumbing, you can get the training and certification(s) you need at Utah Career Center. Our state-of-the-art plumbing apprenticeship program, developed over 70 years, offers the perfect blend of hands-on training, real-world experience, and expert instruction.

When you’re ready to join this thriving industry and launch your career as a plumber, our plumbing apprenticeship can be your best option for getting paid while getting the training you need to become a plumber.

Call 801-295-6198 or contact us online now to get started.

A call or an email can be the first step in starting your new career in the plumbing industry. You can also check out our FAQs to find out more about the qualifications and requirements for our plumber training program.

How Our Plumbing Apprenticeship & Training Program Works

At Utah Career Center, our plumbing training program takes a multi-faceted approach, combining theory and practical knowledge to get apprentices up to speed with the trade. To do this, our 5-year program entails:

• Classroom-based training: Our apprentices must attend three-night classes each week. These classes combine lectures and hands-on learning to maximize the impact of classroom instruction. Plus, every year, our program offers a traditional summer break.
• On-the-job experience: Beyond the classroom, our plumber apprentices will complete 1800 hours of on-the-job training every year. This real-world experience is crucial to gaining practical knowledge of what it takes to work as a plumber, both in terms of professional skills and customer experience.
• Supervision from certified journeymen: Our journeymen offer an insiders’ perspective that can be invaluable when you’re learning the ropes of the plumbing industry. Having a direct line to a true expert can help crystallize everything you learn in the classroom. It can also give you essential insight into various aspects of the job, how to anticipate issues, and more.

Pipefitting Apprenticeship

Pipefitters have a great long-term job outlook. From growth in new construction to the retirement of Boomer pipefitters, the need for skilled pipefitters is expected to grow in the future, putting them in even higher demand across the U.S.

If you want a career as a pipefitter, you can get the training, skills, and knowledge you need at Utah Career Center. Our cutting-edge pipefitter apprenticeship program has been developed over 70 years, making it one of the nation’s leading training programs feeding the pipefitting industry. Crafted and taught by experienced journeymen, our program offers the perfect blend of hands-on training, real-world experience, and expert instruction.

When you’re ready to join this thriving industry, our pipefitter apprenticeship can be your best option for launching a successful career—and getting paid while getting up to speed!

Pipefitter Salaries, Compensation & Benefits

Salaries for pipefitters depend on experience levels, the state in which they are employed, their employment status (as either a contractor or employee), and many other factors.

The pipefitting apprentices at Utah Career Center start out making about 55% of the journeyman’s rate. Currently, our apprentices earn $18.07/hour in wages, plus benefits.

When fully trained and licensed, pipefitters can earn much more. In general, licensed pipefitters start out earning between $40,000 and $45,000/year. Experienced pipefitters can pull in much more, plus health care benefits, retirement contributions, vacation and sick time, and more.

Welding Apprenticeship

Job prospects for certified welders are bright, with the industry poised for significant growth over the next decade and beyond. From pipe and aerospace welders to military support and underwater welders, there are plenty of opportunities to enter the welding industry and earn a great living.

If you are ready to enjoy a recession-proof, lucrative career in the welding industry, get the training and certification you need at Utah Career Center.

Our industry-leading welder apprenticeship program has been developed over seven decades. Time-tested and expertly designed, our program is geared towards teaching apprentices everything they need to know to launch long, successful careers as welders.

Call 801-295-6198 or contact us online now to find out more about our welding apprenticeship program.

A call or an email can be the first step in starting a highly rewarding career as a welder. You can also check out our FAQs to find out more about the qualifications and requirements for our welding training program.

How Our Welder Apprenticeship & Training Program Works

The welder apprenticeship program at Utah Career Center offers an array of courses that blend classroom learning, lab training, and real-world experience. This multi-faceted approach provides journeymen-led instruction to cultivate the knowledge and skills apprentices must have to earn certification.

Here is a look at what our welding apprenticeship program entails:

• Weekly night classes
• Small class sizes
• On-the-job training
• Direct access to industry experts
• The ability to practice with the latest tools & equipment
• Competitive pay and benefits
• Traditional summer breaks
• And more

Some of the various things our pipefitter apprentices learn include (but are not limited to):

• Basic chemistry and metallurgy
• Blueprint reading
• Applied and industrial mathematics
• Welding techniques
• Electricity theory
• Electrical troubleshooting techniques
• Measuring procedures
• Job safety requirement
• Interpreting sketches, 2Ddiagrams, and 3D diagrams
• Dimension calculations

At Utah Career Center, our welding apprenticeship training is part of our plumbing and pipefitting apprenticeship. All plumbing apprentices are required to earn one welding certification. All pipefitter apprentices are required to earn three welding certifications.

Welder Compensation & Benefits

Salaries for welders depend on experience, employer, location, status as an employee or contractor, and more.

The welding apprentices at Utah Career Center start out making about 55% of the journeyman’s rate. Currently, our apprentices are earning $18.07/hour in wages, plus benefits.

With full training and the proper certifications, welders can command much higher wages. In general, certified welders can earn salaries starting around $50,000/year. With more experience, salaries typically increase.

The need for HVAC&R experts is expected to triple over the next decade. While Utah will have the biggest need for certified HVAC&R techs, industry growth across the nation has sparked demand that shows no signs of stopping.

That’s great news for HVAC&R technicians, mechanics, and other contractors! It points to job security, the promise of rising wages, and no shortage of opportunities when it’s time to find a new job.

If you are ready to launch a long, successful career in the HVAC&R industry, get the training and certification you need at Utah Career Center.

Our top-rated HVAC&R training program is time-tested and expertly designed to set our apprentices up for success. From our journeymen-crafted courses to our state-to-art labs and real-world training, Utah Career Center offers everything you need to become a skilled HVAC&R professional.

Call 801-295-6198 or contact us online now to find out more about our HVAC&R apprenticeship program.

A call or an email can be the first step in starting a highly rewarding career in the HVAC&R industry. You can also check out our FAQs to find out more about the qualifications and requirements for our HVAC&R training program.

How Our HVAC&R Apprenticeship & Training Program Works

The HVAC&R apprenticeship at Utah Career Center is a five-year program, offering entry- to advanced-level courses that blend classroom learning, hands-on lab training, and real-world experience.

This multi-faceted approach expands the scope of knowledge and skills available to our apprentices, empowering them with everything they need to earn certification and stand out to prospective employers.

Here is a look at what our HVAC&R apprenticeship program offers:

• Three night classes per week
• Optimal student-to-teacher ratios
• 1800 hours of on-the-job training each year
• Direct access to industry experts
• Competitive pay
• Benefits
• State-of-the-art tools & equipment
• Insider knowledge not available through other programs
• Traditional summer breaks
• And more

Some of the various things our HVAC&R apprentices learn include (but are not limited to):

• Air systems
• Principles of airflow, including air properties and distribution
• Fume and exhaust system design
• Installation of ductwork and air distribution accessories
• Plans and specification reading
• Basic piping practices
• Tools of the trade
• Sheet metal layout and processes
• Welding
• Brazing
• Crew leadership
• Aerial lift operation