Announcements

 

What Can I Expect As Part of Apprenticeship in Our Industry

We do not hand out applications monthly, but you can call our office on the last Wednesday of the month to inquire if we will be handing out applications the following month (505-256-9257).

Part of the application process is a situational judgement assessment and a math assessment because our occupations can be math intensive so you will want to practice.;

Basic Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, & Division

Basic Fractions: Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying & Dividing

Tape Measure: Reading a Tape Measure & Adding/Subtracting Measurements

Situational Judgement: You can do a search on YouTube for Situational Judgement Tests to see how these questions work and how to practice for them. These will be based on fictitious job situations to best judge how you would deal with them.

You can find many videos on YouTube on all of these subjects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Southwest Piping Institute Apprentice Program a State Registered Program?

  • Yes.  This means that our program has a set of standards that has been approved and registered with the State of New Mexico and the State of Texas.  This means we follow all State and Department of Labor guidelines for operating and receiving funding.

What documents will I need for my application?

  • You will need proof of a high school diploma or completion of equivalency.
  • You will need proof of age (18 years of age or older.)
  • You will need letters of recommendation.  Personal letters of recommendation will work, however, letters of recommendation from past and/or current employers as well as current Local 412 members carry more weight during the interview process).

Is there a deadline to turn in my application once I pick it up?

  • Yes. The deadline date will be told to you when you get your application.

Can I pick up an application before the window opens so I can be ready to turn it in?

  • No. Applications are a controlled document and are serial numbered to your name when we are handing them out.

What happens after I turn in my application by the deadline?

  • Once you turn in your application by the deadline, your name and email address will be sent to APTmetrics to generate your login credentials for your proctored assess.

  • We will contact you to let you know the date, time and location of your math and situational judgement assessment (it takes approximately 1-hour)
  • For the math assessment use YouTube to start practicing on your math in the below areas;

o   Basic Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, & Division

o    Basic Fractions: Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying & Dividing

o    Tape Measure: Reading a Tape Measure & Adding/Subtracting Measurements

·        For the situational judgement assessment use YouTube and search for “situational judgement tests”. These types of questions will give you a scenario and ask how you would best handle the situation from a list of answers. Practicing situational judgement questions will help you do your best on this portion of your assessment.

What are the passing scores on these two assessment?

  • Below are passing scores for both assessments
    • Math – 22 correct out of 30 questions
    • Situational Judgement – 17 correct out of 28 questions

Am I excluded from the application process if I fail one or both assessments?

  • No. You can retest for the math and/or situational judgement in 6 months.

What is next if I pass these assessments?

  • You will then be scheduled for an in-person interview and we will contact you with the date and time

What happens after the interview?

  • Many candidates will be interviewed, so upon completion of all interviews all of your data will be scored and all candidates will be ranked according to their score and placed on what we call a ranking list. When our contractors call for manpower, we will begin calling individuals with job offers, starting from the top of the list until someone takes the call.
  • Once someone takes the call, everyone moves up on the list for the next available job call.

Do I have to quit my current job once I am on the ranking list?

  • No.  In fact, we tell you to retain your current job until such a time we call you with a job offer and you accept it.  Based on your position on the ranking list, job offers can take as little as a few weeks to months based on the construction industry’s demand for manpower.

Will I be able to give my current employer 2 weeks’ notice?

  • Although we do find it very commendable that you want to give your current employer this courtesy, most of the job calls need to be filled immediately (usually the next day or up to three days).

What if I don’t answer the phone when I am called for a job?

  • We continue to call down the list until someone takes the call.  If you call back immediately, the job may still be available. It is crucial that we have your most current phone number.  If your number has changed, you need to call us immediately so it can be annotated.

Am I guaranteed a job that is local to where I live?

  • There are no guarantees what job location you will be offered.  Our jurisdiction covers the entire state of New Mexico and 9 counties in Texas which includes the city of El Paso.  During the interview, you will be asked if you will have a problem taking a job call outside of the area in which you reside.

What happens if I turn down calls for jobs?

  • You can be removed from the ranking list for turning down 2 or more calls.  You can reapply during the next application window opening.

Is there drug testing for the jobs?

  • Yes.  Drug testing is done for job calls and at random by our contractors.

If I fail a drug test but have a Medical Marijuana Card, will that keep me on the job?

  • No. Failing a drug test for your first job is an automatic expulsion from the program.  If you pass your initial drug test but fail any subsequent testing as an apprentice, you will be referred  to the Disciplinary Committee which can expel you from the program.

Do I need to have a drivers license?

  • Yes. You also must have a clean driving record so that you are insurable on the job.

How many years is the UA Local 412 Apprenticeship Program?

  • The program is 5 years long unless the committee grants you credit for previous experience.  To get credit, you must have all supporting documents of your experience presented to the Training Director when you are coming up for your 1-year probation review.  If the committee grants you credit, your date of completion will be adjusted.  You will work for a signatory contractor during the day and attend classes two nights a week.

Do I work for a contractor during the day and attend school at night?

  • Yes.  You will attend school 2-nights a week for 3.5 hours each night.

I am a Military Veteran or Active Guard / Reservist.  Can I apply?

  • Yes, you can.  You may qualify for direct entry.  Call us at (505) 256-9257 to see if the window for Direct Entry is open.

I have a certificate of completion in either plumbing, welding, pipefitting or HVAC from a community college or trade producing school.  Does that help?

  • Yes.  You may qualify for direct entry.  Call us at (505) 256-9257 to see if the window for Direct Entry is open.