Career Paths

Career Paths
HVAC-R Service Technicians

Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Service Technicians install, maintain and repair plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. These technicians also perform essential work in our national goal to improve energy efficiency. There is high demand for these skilled tradespeople, and this sector provides consistent, year-round work with excellent wages and benefits.

Career Paths
Pipefitters

Pipefitters fabricate, install and maintain complex piping in a wide variety of mechanical systems in residential, commercial and industrial applications. This includes high pressure process piping using materials such as carbon and stainless steel, as well as many alloys essential to sensitive and sophisticated projects—hospitals, pharmaceutical facilities, refineries, manufacturing, utilities and more.


Career Paths
Plumbers

Plumbers perform work that is essential to the health and safety of our citizens. Plumbers install drinking water, waste and ventilating systems, as well as wastewater treatment systems large and small, in homes, offices, schools, hospitals and manufacturing facilities. With a growing focus on green technologies, water conservation and energy efficiency, the demand for Plumbers will increase significantly in the years ahead.

Career Paths
Welders

Welders are found on almost every jobsite in North America. These skilled workers cut and join a variety of materials, from steel, cast iron and plastic to complex and specialized products used on projects ranging from pipelines and power plants, to pharmaceutical and computer chip factories—and more. Projections show a shortage of skilled and certified Welders in North America that could number in the hundreds of thousands. Now is the time to acquire these critical skills.

Benefits of Local 421 Membership

The three pillars of the UA advantage have been in place for more than a decade and ensure we meet the safety, quality and productivity priorities of our contractors and project owners each and every day.

Pension Plan

Local 421 provides two pension for its members

Top of Industry Training

Offered to all members

Health Care including dental and Vision

An excellent healthcare plan

Highest Wages

Excellent benefits for you and your family

welder

Training
Requirements

All new apprentice applications will ONLY be taken after meeting the following requirements:

  • Copy of a Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License
  • Must be current resident of North Carolina or South Carolina
  • Copy of Social Security Card
  • Copy of a Valid Birth Certificate
  • Copy of High School Diploma or GED
  • Members coming in from the Military should provide their DD214
  • Anyone transferring from a Community College program may be exempt from the CRC test
  • Dependable transportation is required.
  • Career Readiness Certificate Test Results with Silver or Higher
    • This site explains the test and minimum requirements for our trade, and also offers practice exams: http://www.act.org/certificate
    • Tutoring is available through the following:
    • Coastal Carolina Community College - (910) 938-6259
    • Rowan Cabarrus Community College - (704) 216-3545
    • Wake Tech Community College - (919) 532-5697
    • Find your own test center

Please note that the deadline for September 2025 enrollment is May 15th, 2025. You must complete and submit the Apprentice Application and all additional documents before that date, or you will have to wait for the following term.

Learn more about 421

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