What UA LOCAL 246 does

The Fresno Area Pipe Trades Training Center, operating as UA Local 246, is a Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) established in 1942 in Fresno, California. It is the only union apprenticeship program for the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Welders, and HVACR Service Technicians serving California's Central Valley — specifically Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings Counties. The organization delivers a registered 5-year apprenticeship combining classroom instruction (two nights per week) with paid on-the-job training at signatory contractor worksites, leading to journeyperson status.

The program offers four core trade tracks — Plumber, Pipefitter/Steamfitter, Welder, and HVACR Service Technician — and supplements them with two specialized sub-programs: the Veterans in Piping (VIP) program for transitioning military service members (VA GI Bill certified) and the Women in Trades initiative for recruiting and retaining women in male-dominated trades. All programs lead to state certification through the California Department of Industrial Relations, U.S. Department of Labor registration, and 45 transferable college credits through a partnership with Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The curriculum is delivered by an 11-person team led by Director of Training Jonhenry Lopez, with governance from Local Union #246 Business Manager Robert Topete.

The program is free to apprentices, who earn wages from day one and receive health/welfare, pension, and 401K benefits. Revenue is generated through union membership dues from working apprentices and journeymen, plus contributions from signatory contractors who hire the trained workforce. The contractor network includes 20+ signatory employers such as Johnson Controls, EMCOR, ACCO Engineered Systems, ARB Inc., and Snelson Companies, creating a placement pipeline that supports a productivity premium cited at 31–51% over non-union labor.

Name

UA LOCAL 246

Legal name

Fresno Area Pipe Trades Training Center

Website

https://ualocal246.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Fresno Area Pipe Trades Training Center (UA Local 246) operates a registered 5-year union apprenticeship for plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVACR technicians across California's Central Valley, with free earn-while-you-learn training and job placement through 20+ signatory contractors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Apprenticeship Training

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Pipefitting & Steamfitting (EDAOACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Pipe Welding & Industrial Piping Fabrication Training (EDAOADAB), Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC)

Keywords

• Union apprenticeship training
• Pipe trades training
• Plumbing apprenticeship program
• HVACR technician training
• Vocational welding training

Headquarters

HQ city

Fresno, California

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Union Apprenticeship Training: The program is free for apprentices who earn wages while learning on the job. Revenue is generated through union membership dues from working apprentices and journeymen, and funding from signatory contractor partnerships. The program provides skilled labor to contractors who contribute to the training trust.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Fresno Area Pipe Trades Training Center, operated by UA Local 246, runs a free 5-year registered union apprenticeship program covering Plumber, Pipefitter/Steamfitter, Welder, and HVACR Service Technician trades. Apprentices combine 2-nights-per-week classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training at signatory contractor worksites, graduating to journeyperson status with state and federal certifications plus 45 college credits from Washtenaw Community College. Specialized sub-programs include Veterans in Piping (VIP) and Women in Trades.

Product overview

UA Local 246 operates as a single unified vocational training organization offering four core trade training programs (Plumbers, Pipefitters/Steamfitters, Welders, and HVACR Service Technicians) under a registered 5-year apprenticeship framework. The organization provides specialized sub-programs including the Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program for military veterans and a Women in Trades Program for recruitment and retention of women. All programs combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training through union contractor partnerships, leading to state certification, government licensing, and journeyperson status upon completion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 5-Year Registered Apprenticeship Program Earn-as-you-learn registered apprenticeship combining classroom instruction (two nights per week) with on-the-job training at signatory contractor worksites, progressing from 1st-period apprentice to Journeyperson over 5 years. Graduates receive state certification from the State of California Department of Industrial Relations and U.S. Department of Labor licensing, plus 45 college credits from Washtenaw Community College. Free to apprentices, with wages paid from day one plus health/welfare, pension, and 401K benefits.
• Plumbers Training Program Vocational training track for aspiring plumbers covering installation of drinking water, waste, and ventilation systems in homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities, as well as wastewater treatment systems. Leads to a state-licensed journeyman plumber credential.
• Pipefitters/Steamfitters Training Program Training program for pipefitters and steamfitters focusing on installation, maintenance, and repair of piping systems for applications such as power plants, refineries, and heavy industrial facilities. Leads to a state-licensed pipefitter/steamfitter credential.
• Welders Training Program Training program for welders covering cutting and joining of steel, cast iron, plastic materials, and complex specialized products for projects including pipelines, power plants, and pharmaceutical facilities. Leads to certified welder credentials.
• HVACR Service Technicians Training Program Training program for HVACR technicians covering installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems for residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Leads to a state-licensed HVACR technician credential.
• Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program Specialized veterans transition program developed in partnership with the U.S. Military, offering education, hands-on training, job placement, and a pathway to a career in the piping industry. VA GI Bill certified institution with guaranteed placement in local union and job. Includes mental health resources through the VIP Member Assistance Program.
• Women in Trades Program Program supporting recruitment and retention of women in the trades, with mentorship, career development, supportive community, and leadership assistance. Addresses gender diversity in male-dominated fields and offers equal pay practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 31-51% higher efficiency compared to non-union workers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UA Local Union 246coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe primary union local affiliated with the United Association. Provides union membership, workforce coordination, and support for plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVACR technicians in the Fresno area. Located at 1303 N. Rabe, Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93727.
• The United AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational union of plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVACR service technicians. Provides the training standards, curriculum framework, and national network for the apprenticeship program. Sets industry standards for pipe trades training.
• California State Pipe TradesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level organization coordinating pipe trades unions and training programs throughout California.
• State Building and Construction Trades Council of CaliforniamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState council coordinating building and construction trades unions in California.
• State of California Department of Industrial RelationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory body that registers the apprenticeship program and issues state certifications. Program is registered with this department and U.S. Department of Labor for Plumber, Pipefitter/Steamfitter, and HVAC Service Technician trades.
• Fresno CTE/ROPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer Technical Education/Regional Occupational Program partnership for workforce development in Fresno area.
• IAPMOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. Provides standards development and certification support.
• National ITCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational apprenticeship training coordination organization.
• Valley BuildminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional workforce development organization in the Central Valley.
• Workforce ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development organization connecting training programs with employment opportunities.
• Helmets to HardhatsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit organization created by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment, and Veterans Employment to help military veterans transition into careers in building trades. UA Local 246 partners with this organization for veteran recruitment.
• Women in TradesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization supporting recruitment and retention of women in the trades. UA Local 246 is committed to this initiative.
• Veterans In Piping (VIP) ProgramcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUA's national program partnering with U.S. Military to train service members. Present on seven military bases. Graduates guaranteed placement in local union and job. UA Local 246 participates in this program.
• Local 228 Apprenticeship (Yuba City, CA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated apprenticeship program in Yuba City, CA.
• Local 442 Apprenticeship (Modesto, CA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated apprenticeship program in Modesto, CA.
• Local 62 Apprenticeship (Monterey, CA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated apprenticeship program in Monterey, CA.
• Washtenaw Community College (Ann Arbor, MI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational union partnership awards 45 college credits upon completion of the apprenticeship program through this college.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UA Local 442 Apprenticeship: United Association apprenticeship program serving Modesto, CA and the surrounding Central Valley region. Operates an identical JATC apprenticeship model for the same four trades (plumbers, pipefitters, welders, HVACR), making it the closest geographic and structural peer to UA Local 246.
• UA Local 62 Apprenticeship: United Association apprenticeship program located in Monterey, CA. Sister UA JATC offering the same registered apprenticeship framework and trade mix (plumber, pipefitter, welder, HVACR) for California's Central Coast region.
• IBEW-NECA Joint Apprenticeship Programs: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and NECA jointly operate registered apprenticeship programs in electrical construction across the U.S. They are a parallel building-trades union apprenticeship model with the same earn-as-you-learn structure, registered apprenticeship status, and DOL/state credentialing framework - directly comparable as a sister building-trades apprenticeship.
• UA Local 228 Apprenticeship: United Association apprenticeship program based in Yuba City, CA. Operates the same UA-affiliated JATC model covering plumbing, pipefitting, welding, and HVACR for northern California counties, directly comparable in mission, structure, and trade curriculum.
• UA Local 38 (San Francisco): Large San Francisco-based UA local operating its own apprenticeship program in the same four crafts. While larger and serving a major metro, it is the same UA JATC model with identical curriculum framework and journeyman outcomes.
• Boilermakers National Joint Apprenticeship Program: International Boilermakers union operates a national registered apprenticeship program covering boilermaking, welding, and industrial fabrication - a close peer for the welding and pipefitting/steamfitting components of UA Local 246's curriculum, serving similar industrial employer markets.
• SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation Division): International union for sheet metal workers, HVAC technicians, and related trades. Operates registered apprenticeship programs for HVAC/sheet metal work that overlap directly with UA Local 246's HVACR curriculum and target similar enterprise contractors and applicants.

Broad incumbents

• United Association International Training Center: The UA's flagship training facility (Washtenaw, MI) that sets curriculum standards and trains instructors for all UA local apprenticeship programs including UA Local 246. Functions as the parent/incumbent training organization whose standards and resources underpin all UA JATCs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ua-local-246

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UA LOCAL 246