The United Association’s testing program has been in place at Local Union 597 since 1997. Local Union 597 currently hosts the United Association’s X-Ray machine on site. Since inception, Local Union 597 ATR’s and Welding Staff have given over 10,000 Weld Tests. Please review the welding pages listed for more information regarding the UA and Local Union 597 welding program. If you have questions or are a contractor requiring information, please contact the Training Center.
- UA Weld Testing
- Welding Continuity
- Automatic Orbital Welding Classes
- Pipeline Classes
- Poly Fusion Classes
- Alloy Classes
- Wire Welding
UA Weld Testing
How to set up for a UA Weld Test
- You must come into the Training Center and weld an acceptable sample of the test you want to take.
- The sample will be evaluated and accepted or rejected by a Welding Instructor/Inspector in the weld shop.
- When the weld is accepted, a “UA Test Request Form” will be filled out by the welder and the Instructor(s).
- We will be in contact with you to arrange a test date.
What is expected at a UA Weld Test
- You must arrive by the set time of testing. If you are late a new test date may be given.
- Proper PPE must be worn at all times while in the weld shop.
- Results are usually available within 5 business days.
Welding Continuity
Continuity is good for six (6) months from the date you tested and every time you weld/braze thereafter as long as it is prior to the expiration of the six (6) month period.
Ultimately, it is up to the member to keep his/her certifications updated.
Updating certifications is done by:
- All contractors can update continuity online for welders/brazers working for them who are certified by the Training Center-UA or CWB. Those that are 60 days or less from their expiration date will receive a text via Dashboard.
- If the member has not been working and believes their certifications are about to lapse, an update can be performed at the Training Center during the hours of operation.
- If the member has been working and believes their certifications are about to lapse, the member can have a contractor submit a Welder Continuity form. The forms are available at the Training Center. They can also be downloaded by clicking on the file below.
Continuity Update Sheet
Brazing Continuity
Mokena First Floor Map
Mokena Second Floor Map
Automatic Orbital Welding Classes
Orbital Tube Weld Program is a journeymen course for members with a prerequisite of a GTAW certification. The course runs two nights a week for five weeks. Thirty-six to forty hours based on performance in the class. It will cover process variables, system programmer control functions and gives the theoretical basis for weld program development. It’s a hands-on course with seventy-five percent of time spent on a power supply producing weld samples. Students will qualify to United Association Weld Test Specification the UA- 18A. Coupons are examined by radiography in accordance with ASME Code Section IX.
MUST POSSES A CURRENT UA-GTAW CERTIFICATION.
| Class | Description | Date | Room | Day(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOW-1 | Automatic Orbital Welding Class | 10/08/2024 | 2201 | Tue/Thu |
| AOW-2 | Automatic Orbital Welding Class | 11/12/2024 | 2201 | Tue/Thu |
| AOW-3 | Automatic Orbital Welding Class | 01/14/2025 | 2201 | Tue/Thu |
| AOW-4 | Automatic Orbital Welding Class | 02/18/2025 | 2201 | Tue/Thu |
| AOW-5 | Automatic Orbital Welding Class | 03/25/2025 | 2201 | Tue/Thu |
| AOW-6 | Automatic Orbital Welding Class | 04/29/2025 | 2201 | Tue/Thu |
NOTE: Classes that do not appear on the registration page are full/closed
Wire Welding Classes
Semi Automatic welding for FCAW, Pulse, RMD, and other GMAW processes for field conditions
| Class | Description | Date | Room | Day(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WW-1 | Wire Welding | 10/07/2024 | 1212 | Mon/Wed |
| WW-2 | Wire Welding | 10/08/2024 | 1212 | Tue/Thu |
| WW-3 | Wire Welding | 01/06/2025 | 1212 | Mon/Wed |
| WW-4 | Wire Welding | 01/07/2025 | 1212 | Tue/Thu |
| WW-5 | Wire Welding | 04/07/2025 | 1212 | Mon/Wed |
| WW-6 | Wire Welding | 04/08/2025 | 1212 | Tue/Thu |
NOTE: Classes that do not appear on the registration page are full/closed
Alloy Classes
MUST POSSES THE UA-15 CERTIFICATION.
| Class | Description | Date | Room | Day(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL-1 | Alloy Welding | 10/07/2024 | 1212 | Mon/Wed |
| AL-2 | Alloy Welding | 10/08/2024 | 1212 | Tue/Thu |
| AL-3 | Alloy Welding | 01/06/2025 | 1212 | Mon/Wed |
| AL-4 | Alloy Welding | 01/07/2025 | 1212 | Tue/Thu |
| AL-5 | Alloy Welding | 04/07/2025 | 1212 | Mon/Wed |
| AL-6 | Alloy Welding | 04/08/2025 | 1212 | Tue/Thu |
NOTE: Classes that do not appear on the registration page are full/closed
Pipeline Classes
The course will cover welding techniques specific to the pipeline industry. 100% of the class will be held in the shop with all training being hands-on. The course will focus primarily on the 12” butt weld along with the 12” on 12” branch connection. Joint preparation and design will be covered. Students will learn how to use different line-up clamps utilized in field welding. Destructive testing of weld straps will also be addressed. The course will also touch on the expectations of a welder in the pipeline industry.
| Class | Description | Date | Room | Day(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PL-1 | Pipeline Welding | 10/07/2024 | 1212 | Mon/Wed |
| PL-2 | Pipeline Welding | 10/08/2024 | 1212 | Tue/Thu |
| PL-3 | Pipeline Welding | 01/06/2025 | 1212 | Mon/Wed |
| PL-4 | Pipeline Welding | 01/07/2025 | 1212 | Tue/Thu |
| PL-5 | Pipeline Welding | 04/07/2025 | 1212 | Mon/Wed |
| PL-6 | Pipeline Welding | 04/08/2025 | 1212 | Tue/Thu |
NOTE: Classes that do not appear on the registration page are full/closed
Poly Fusion Classes
The Poly-Fusion Course is based on the gas distribution utility work.
Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A member will obtain the skill and knowledge in accordance with proven procedures in the gas distribution industry for polyethylene (PE) pipe and fittings by means of heat fusion joining and receive three UA Certifications.
The UA-PE1, UA-PE2, and the UA-PE3. No prerequisite is required. All students must have shop attire ready to work, work boots and long sleeves. Union dues must be current.
| Class | Description | Date | Room | Day(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEF-1 | Polyethylene Fusion | 10/07/2024 | 2200 | Mon/Wed |
| PEF-2 | Polyethylene Fusion | 11/18/2024 | 2200 | Mon/Wed |
| PEF-3 | Polyethylene Fusion | 01/06/2025 | 2200 | Mon/Wed |
| PEF-4 | Polyethylene Fusion | 02/17/2025 | 2200 | Mon/Wed |
| PEF-5 | Polyethylene Fusion | 03/31/2025 | 2200 | Mon/Wed |
| PEF-6 - Updated | Polyethylene Fusion | 05/05/2025 | 2200 | Tue/Thu |
NOTE: Classes that do not appear on the registration page are full/closed