A Farina resident is among 27 recent graduates of the United Association Local 149’s apprentice training program.
Charles Tudor graduated from having worked, trained and learned as an apprentice and is now a journey worker.
Local 149 represents hundreds of plumbers, pipefitters and HVAC technicians across east-central Illinois, who work at universities, hospitals and for local contractors.
Focusing on specialties of their trade, Tudor chose to work in the construction industry.
All union members start their careers as apprentices, spending five years learning the trade under experienced trainers. During that time, they are paid as they learn – working at least 1,700 hours on the job and 240 hours in the classroom. As journey workers, they will earn up to nearly $70 an hour and take on greater responsibilities on the job.