The Metal Trades Division of Local Union 638 has two programs in place. The 3-year program has been in place for many years, and it is NOT a NYS approved apprenticeship program.
The other Metal Trades program is the 4-year Apprenticeship Program in the trade of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic.
This apprenticeship program happens through a recruitment process which is announced to the public. To find out if this program or any other apprenticeship program will be holding a recruitment, you can search on the NYS Department of Labor’s website, since information related to apprenticeship recruitments is posted on that site.
Members may sign up for the Introduction to Refrigeration classes. This is a ten week course. Once all sessions are complete, the CFC/EPA Universal examination will be offered. Please contact mvelez@steamny.com for more information.
The answer to this depends on the agency used. If you took the UA CFC examination, call Margarita at (718) 885-8825, or email mvelez@steamny.com to get a digital copy or a laminated copy of your card sent by mail. The UA no longer issues plastic cards for this certification and the new printed cards display the passed types but no longer display the word “Universal” on them. If your card was issued by an agency other than the UA, you will need to contact that agency directly to find out how to replace your lost card.
Metal Trades Technicians wishing to take the prep courses and exam must have a minimum of five years of documented work experience installing and servicing HVACR equipment and piping systems. Please contact mvelez@steamny.com for more information.
The 8 Hour Fall Prevention and 2 Hour Drug and Alcohol Awareness courses are available online only.
https://www.clicksafety.com/steamfitters638/
Please click "Buy Now" to purchase and begin classes. The discount code will be automatically applied. An itemized "Registration Confirmation" will be emailed to you. A copy of this receipt is REQUIRED for reimbursement. Upon completion of these two SST courses, printable certificates will be issued.
The 40 Hour SST Card requires an OSHA 30 card that is LESS THAN FIVE YEARS OLD, a 2 Hour Drug and Alcohol Awareness Certificate, and an 8 Hour Fall Prevention Certificate. Please contact khertel@steamny.com to request the necessary application. If you completed the 10 hours of training with Clicksafety (as noted above) you are eligible for reimbursement, provided you have your receipt from Clicksafety.
All welding and brazing records are held by the Mechanical Contractors Association. Please contact the MCA at (212) 481-1490
OSHA 30 Online Safety Training and Certification is available free of charge for union members, you MUST contact the Training Center to be registered. There is no reimbursement option if you pay for this course out of pocket.
Please call (718) 885-8827; email khertel@steamny.com or (718) 885-8827; email mvelez@steamny.com
3-year program students are contractor sponsored. There is an entrance process before technicians are accepted into the program. Technicians who are accepted receive a schedule to come to school once per week for 13 weeks per term. There are a total of 6 terms (2 terms per year). The first 2 years they attend during the day on company time and their last year (terms 5 & 6) they come in at night during their own time. In the earlier terms, students learn basic electricity and intro to refrigeration in later terms they advance to wiring, motor, control systems, heating, applied systems and electronic controls. Please note that the 3-year program is NOT a NYS Approved Apprenticeship Program.
