Real Graduates Discuss Their UA Local 486 Experience

Wondering if the UA Local apprenticeship program is for you but want to know what you’ll get after your 5-year commitment? Hear from some of our recent graduates about their experience and what the future holds for them.

The UA Local 486 Experience

The apprenticeship program is a wonderful opportunity to create a lasting career, but it’s not easy. Here’s what you can expect during your 5 years at the UA Local apprenticeship program.

Hard Yet Rewarding Work

The skills and knowledge graduates gain open up many career opportunities and job possibilities right away. However, gaining those skills is not a walk in the park. 

The work you do as an apprentice and tradesperson is tough work. As an apprentice, you will face physically demanding work and put in long hours. For some, this can be a turn-off, but for those who don’t mind a little hard work, this can be quite the rewarding experience. 

What makes the apprenticeship program truly unique is the hands-on experience paired with an outside company. You won’t just learn in a classroom setting or training center, you are taking your skills to work on real jobs every single day. 

A Supportive Community

As an apprentice, you will experience more than education, training and good pay. You’ll find a community of supportive people to help you along your journey. When asked about their experiences, most apprentices with talk about the people they’ve met and the friends they’ve made. 

Not only will you make friends at the UA Local apprenticeship program but you will have experienced teachers and journeymen available to guide you into career success.  

Fun and Games

Apprentices work pretty hard on a daily basis but that doesn’t mean they don’t have fun now and again. Besides the jokes shared in the breakroom, our apprentices get to join competitions to put their skills to the test.

These competitions are fun for everyone involved and allow you to use your skills in unique and creative ways. 

What the future holds for our grads

Unlike some college programs, our apprentices graduate with many opportunities to choose from. Many of our grads have the opportunity to continue working with the same company they’ve worked with during their apprenticeship or seek employment elsewhere. Some graduates even have multiple job offers from other local companies waiting for them the moment they graduate. 

Whether they want to create a career in plumbing, HVACR, welding, or use their skills to get started in a specialized trade, they have the opportunity to do so. 

For apprentices that make it through the 5-year program, the future looks bright!

Is the UA 486 Right for you?

You’ve heard what our graduates have to say and you have some insights into what you’ll experience during the program. But only you can determine if the apprenticeship program is the right choice for you!

Do you want to get paid while you learn a skilled trade? Do you enjoy hands-on work? Does the idea of sitting at a desk for 8 hours sound miserable? Are you comfortable getting your hands dirty? If so, then joining the apprenticeship program is probably a great choice for you!

Learn more about our apprenticeship program and benefits or fill out an application if interested in joining.