Pipefitters unveil new training center

The Pipefitters union unveiled a new, state-of-the art Journeyman and Apprentice Training School, built mostly with donated labor and materials.

Located at St. Paul College, the training facility includes a welding shop, pipe shop, refrigeration shop and pneumatic shop. Students can learn to operate, maintain and repair a complete heating and cooling system — smaller than, but identical in function to those found in large commercial buildings.

Other features include 22 new welding booths, a room filled with residential furnaces and air conditioners by various manufacturers, and a classroom with computer workstations.

Most of the equipment was donated by contractors and vendors and most of the work was performed by Pipefitters union members who donated their time, said Bob Donatell, apprenticeship coordinator. He put the value of the project at $1 million.

The Pipefitters held an open house for contractors, vendors, elected officials and other guests Thursday and hosted members on Saturday. The new facility already is getting heavy use.

The Pipefitters apprenticeship program involves nine months of day school, followed by five years of night school. During night school, participants work during the day and attend classes two nights a week. They specialize as either service technicians or building trades workers, Donatell said.

Some 250 students currently are enrolled and about 40 graduate every year, he said. Between 40 and 50 journeyman Pipefitters are involved in teaching at the center outside of their regular jobs.

For more information
For more on Pipefitters apprentice programs visit www.local455.com/technical_training.htm

A complete heating and cooling system replicates those found in large commercial buildings.

Instructor Willie Taylor (left) explains the heating-cooling controls to James McCormick, chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Energy efficiency is a big focus of current training, Taylor said.

Other dignitaries attending the open house included St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly (above) and Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch (below, right).

Business Representative John Wilking points out the many models of furnaces used in training. Instructors can program the equipment to develop different malfunctions which the students then need to address.