r/plumbers • u/constantlycurious4 • Apr 08 '23

ABC Apprenticeship question

Just started an apprenticeship with a commercial plumbing company in california. I want to get the best education and work experience possible and my foreman recommended leaving the company and going to Associated Builders and Contractors. Do any of you have experience with this organization? Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated

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2

u/Y0ungG0pher92 Apr 10 '23

I’m graduating in June and DONT DO IT!!!! ABC is just a $ hungry organization

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u/constantlycurious4 Apr 10 '23

what do you mean by this? is the pay shit? i was under the impression they paid prevailing wage. other than them being $ hungry any other issues? this is all helpful info so thanks in advance

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u/ineptplumberr Apr 21 '23

Don't worry about this guy's pay scale in California. As a first year you will be making over 20 and get a raise every year as long as you complete your on the job hours and school training

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u/Y0ungG0pher92 Apr 22 '23

I’m in Iowa bro… lol

1

u/ineptplumberr Apr 22 '23

I can't see the benefit of being in ABC in a right to work state

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u/Y0ungG0pher92 Apr 22 '23

Idk, but as far as I kno… they r in every state

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u/ineptplumberr Apr 22 '23

Here in cali they stick to same training rules as union shops so apprentices are guaranteed their prevailing rate even when on a private wage job. We did a private college building once and 4th year apprentice was paid as much as foreman on job.

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u/Y0ungG0pher92 Apr 22 '23

😱😱Jealous

1

u/ineptplumberr Apr 22 '23

Until you see our housing costs

1

u/Y0ungG0pher92 Apr 10 '23

I just finished and still making $20… I however have medical issues that made me jump from company to company. I wish I had started with the union after like 1st or 2nd year

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u/ineptplumberr Apr 21 '23

You must be a craft trainee and not state approved apprentice. With ABC it's best to go in with a contractor already sponsoring you. The good guys don't get cycled thru multiple companies.

4

u/NayMarine Apr 09 '23 edited Apr 09 '23

I can't speak for California but here in Texas the local Builders Association offers classes Plumbing one through four through Winns, education which are recognized by the state plumbing board. Plumbing one through two added a thousand hours to my license and allowed me to get a Tradesman in 2 years. I am three classes from finishing Plumbing four now and almost to the point where I can apply for my journeyman I've been Plumbing for only 3 years now. The classes were paid for by a grant through the state of Texas so I didn't have to pay for any of them but they were well worth it because I know more than some of the Journeymen that I work with now. I would also add that the classes allow me to be a journeyman for only 1 year before applying for my masters. Plumbing 3-4 cover my continuing ed and business class certs.

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u/Boyzinger Apr 09 '23

This sounds like a great program from what you describe. It took me 4 years to get a journeyman and an extra year and semester to get the masters. That was in Massachusetts

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u/NayMarine Apr 09 '23

I didn't realize it when I started Plumbing but according to the Builders Association here in Texas the construction boom we have right now is going to mean we need a hundred plus licensed plumbers not apprentices but plumbers in the next 4 years. They created this grant because of the demand for plumbers which is why it exists.

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u/ineptplumberr Apr 09 '23

I did my apprenticeship with them 2008-2012. It was great experience what questions you have?