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UA Training
No other organization serves the training needs of the piping industry like the United Association. For over a century, the United Association has been training the most highly-qualified workers in the United States and Canada.
Over the past several decades, the United Association's training programs have produced a stable, skilled workforce responsible for building and maintaining piping systems in the various industrial and residential facilities that make up the North American landscape.
No one can match our commitment or investment. The UA spends over $130 million annually on training program efforts involving approximately 100,000 journeymen and apprentices in over 400 local training facilities at any given time.
In addition to five-year apprenticeship programs, the United Association offers continuing education opportunities that include journeyman training and certifications in valve repair, welding, backflow prevention, medical gas installation, hoisting and rigging, and many more.
UA Training Course List
The following are the training courses that our members benefit from.
TECHNICAL TRAINING | ADVANCED TRAINING | HEALTH AND SAFETY FOCUS | NAUSC & SPECIALTY COURSES
TECHNICAL TRAINING
Back Flow Prevention Testers Course
This course covers back flow prevention and cross connection control devices. Topics include: health aspects, legal aspects of cross connection control, causes of back flow, types and application of devices, inspection programs, maintenance and testing, and Province of Ontario regulations 647/84. Participants who successfully pass the voluntary certification exam will be certified as a Cross-Connection Control Inspection Specialist.
Back Flow Prevention Testers Refresher Course (24 hours)
This course will be available to members who need to update their 5 year certification.
Basics of Hydronic Heating and Cooling
This course provides a background and the basic theories of hydronic systems. Hydronic systems use a water-based heat transfer fluid (HTF) to move heat between a heating or cooling source and condition spaces. Boilers and chillers are used to heat or chill the HTF, and terminal units are used to emit or absorb the heat. Many different piping layouts are used to distribute the HTF and this course goes over the basic principles used when designing a piping system.
Basic Blueprint Reading
Drawing interpretation covers standards, lines and lettering orthographic and isometric projections. The course teaches the types of drawing and building plans used on the job and in related training classes, and training in the fundamentals of making typical technical isometric sketches.
Advanced Blueprint Reading
The course provides training in pipe drafting, blueprint reading and isometric drawing. Topics include: use of labour units; building plans; flow diagrams; layout of piping and design; take-off and estimation.
Related Mathematics
This course has ten sessions beginning with a general math review including formulas, tables and graphs. All topics lead to pipe measurement. The course will provide the fundamentals for taking basic and advanced pipe measurements related to the job.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Basic and Advanced Welding
The course provides training in metallic arc, T.I.G. and GMAW/FCAW welding for all Position in both 3/8" plate and various schedules of pipe.
Orbital Pipe & Tube Welding
Training in the use of automated TIG process for thin-wall tubing with the AMI and Liburdi Dimetrics machines, including basic principles and set-up, programming, variables, and hands-on application.
Welder Interprovincial Certification (Red Seal) Online Course
To assist the Welder in challenging the Certificate of Qualification (Red Seal) exam, Local 527 provides a training program to upgrade and enhance your knowledge of theory and application. NOTE: This is an online course which students can enrol at any time.
GP Gas Piping Fitter
Prerequisite: Holder of a current G3 certificate.
Members that hold a current G3 certificate may apply for the GP upgrade. The GP course will consist of 2 weeks of full time training.
G3 & GP Gas Piping Fitter
Prerequisite: Journeyman or 5th year apprentice with a minimum 2 term of Tradeschool
A Gas Piping fitter's license is required to work on natural gas or propane piping in the province of Ontario. Topics will include: Regulations for the use of gas equipment, Properties of natural gas, Installation of piping and equipment, and Code requirements. Upon completion of course the participants will write the G3 & the Gas Piping Fitter's License exam from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, Fuel Safety Branch.
G2 Gas Technician Training
A G2 gas fitter's license is required to service, install, commission natural gas or propane appliances in the province of Ontario that do not exceed 400,000 BTU. Topics will include: Regulations for the use of gas equipment, Properties of natural gas, Installation of piping and equipment, and Code requirements. There will be extensive electrical and combustion analysis training in the course. Upon completion of course the participants will write the G2 exam from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, Fuel Safety Branch.
G1 Gas Technician Training
A G1 gas fitter's license is required to service, install, commission natural gas or propane appliances of any size in the province of Ontario. Topics will include: Regulations for the use of gas equipment, Properties of natural gas, Installation of piping and equipment, and Code requirements. There will be extensive electrical and combustion analysis training in the course. Upon completion of course the participants will write the G1 exam from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, Fuel Safety Branch.
Oil Piping Fitter
An Oil Piping fitter’s license (OP) is required to work on an oil piping system in the province of Ontario. Topics will include: Regulations and Code requirements, Installation of piping and equipment, Properties of oil and classifications. Participants will write the Oil Piping Fitter license exam from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, Fuel Safety Branch.
HEALTH AND SAFETY FOCUS
I.H.S.A. Basic Rigging & Hoisting Safety Training
The student will receive an overview and working knowledge of: Hoisting and rigging hazards; ropes, knots and hitches; hardware, wire rope and slings; rigging devices; crane operations. This course offers a practical session utilizing equipment and material.
Standard Level First Aid Including CPR
The Standard Level First Aid 2-day course is for those employers with more than five employees on any shift. The priorities of emergency care; vital signs; heart emergencies; CPR; bone & joint injuries; respiratory emergencies; unconsciousness; control of bleeding; multi-victim triage; records & responsibilities.
This course will be available to spouses.
Third-Party Training:
If you are interested in taking job-related training through an outside provider, the JTC will entertain applications for the reimbursement of direct class costs. Before registering in a class, send a letter to the JTC with a class outline, cost, and timeline, asking for reimbursement. Your application will be voted on at the next available JTC meeting and responded to you regarding terms, conditions, and approval/disapproval.
(Normal condition is reimbursement upon proof of costs and successful completion.)
Health and Safety Educational Program for the Ontario Pipe Trades - Level 1 – Mechanical
This safety course is the product of a combined effort of the Ontario Pipe Trades Council, the Mechanical Contractors Association, and the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association. Topics include: personal conduct; personal protective equipment; communications; back care and materials handling; housekeeping; access structures and a performance review. Tool usage and tool safety
Oxy-Acetylene –Soldering & Brazing
The course covers safety, the use of equipment on the job and in the shop, oxy-acetylene flame cutting and pipe preparation. Practical training will be included for soldering and brazing of copper fittings as well as building copper projects.
IHSA Courses
There are numerous classes offered through the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association, many of which will lead to certifications, such as Joint Health & Safety Representative or Construction Supervisors Training Program. Contact the JTC for more information or visit the IHSA website at www.ihsa.org.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
WHMIS is a Legislated system designed to protect the health and safety of workers through the provision of information about the hazardous materials they work with on the job.
WHIMIS Review
The WHMIS Review course is also available through your JTC for those members already qualified and requiring the annual update, or online at: www.ihsa.ca/whmis_review/home.htm
Working at Heights
This course covers the new legislation regarding fall arrest training. Members will need to be certified before April 1st, 2017.
Elevated Lift Training
Upon completion of this program the participant will be issued a record of training for Scissor and Articulating lifts. Topics include: Types; Legislation; Pre-Operational Checks; Stability and Tipping; Capacity and Load Charts; Hazards and Precautions; Inspection, Maintenance and Records and Propane cylinder exchange.
Forklift Operator Safety Training for Construction
Upon completion of this program the participant will be able to demonstrate the knowledge required for safe operation of both on-slab and all-terrain forklifts and be able to successfully complete the required performance demonstration. Topics include: Types; Legislation; Basic Hydraulics and Pre-Operational Checks; Stability and Tipping; Capacity and Load Charts; Hazards and Precautions; Inspection, Maintenance and Records. Participants then have a 3 hour (practical) performance demonstration.
NAUSC & SPECIALTY COURSES
NAUSC UA Foreman Training
Certification Saturdays – 40 hours
A “nuts and bolts” approach to UA Foreman Training developed by UA Canada and associated with the I.H.S.A. This course will benefit UA foreman as well as educate apprentices and journeyman alike to foreman responsibilities and dealing with the day to day job tasks and challenges.
5 Saturdays (all day)
NAUSC Stewards Course
The certification course presents an outline of the duties and responsibilities of the steward, from general attitude to grievance investigations. Specifics of agreements and legislation may not be fully discussed.
NAUSC/CSA P.I.P.E.S. Rigging Certification
This course is a CSA certification course that will ensure that individuals are trained in the proper rigging of loads, proper applications of slings and rigging hardware, determination and calculating of rigging loads & equipment. This is an intense rigging course that will require a written and practical examination upon course completion.
NAUSC/CSA MED Gas Certification
This Standard specifies safety requirements for medical gas pipeline systems in health care facilities. It is intended for use by anyone involved in the design, construction, inspection, and operation of medical gas systems.
This 40 hour program requires that participants are either certified Steamfitters or Plumbers. All participants will be required to take the CSA Med GAS online examination, which are to be done on the last day of the program with a registered proctor.
0 to 8 Ton Broderson Certification
Prerequisite: Hoist and Rigging Certificate
This is a 1 day 8 hour course that will certify a member to operate a 0 to 8 ton Broderson. The course will focus on safe hoisting techniques and Broderson operation.
Swagelok and Tube Bending
This is a hands on, practical training session that will train individuals to the proper use of benders as well as making accurate bends using various offsets. Soft and hard Copper as well as stainless tubing will be utilized in this course.
Gas Combustion Analysis
This is a training session with Mike Stewart from TPI Test Products. Mike was instrumental in getting Local 527 our combustion test equipment for our gas lab. This class is for interested members who have Gas certification and would like to refresh themselves or learn how to properly use a flue gas analyser. This course will focus on understanding the readings and making the proper adjustments to ensure a clean and efficient burning appliance.
Valve Repair
Due to cost and environmental factors, many existing valves must be repaired or replaced. This course will offer hands-on experience in the inspection, disassembly, repair and re-assembly of valves. The course curriculum will be presented through class instruction, textbooks and reference materials, calibration tools, and reconditioning equipment.
Valve Repair Recertification
The valve repair EPRI certification is for 3 years and a member must recertify within 90 days of expiry to continue his certification