In this episode, host Ryan Kleber sits down with Jeremy Killebrew, one of Local 502’s dedicated Training Coordinators. They pull back the curtain on the UA Training Center, discussing the high standards required for certifications (like the CWI and master licenses), the challenges of wrangling over 600 apprentices, and the ambitious plans for the new $50 million facility—complete with 80 new welding booths and specialized labs.
More than the building, they dive into the core of the apprenticeship: What traits make a successful apprentice, how the Training Center is addressing the skilled trades void through high school outreach, and why professionalism and respect are non-negotiable standards for a UA member.
🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
âś… The High Bar: Why the Training Center uses three visual inspections for weld tests and the risk of losing their UA testing credentials.
âś… The New School Vision: Get an inside look at the plans for the state-of-the-art facility, including a dedicated Orbital Lab and advanced pipefitting shops.
âś… The Outreach Fight: How the coordinators are successfully recruiting high-quality candidates from vocational schools and blue-collar counties in Kentucky and Indiana.
âś… Winning Traits: The core qualities and characteristics (like respect and conversation skills) that coordinators look for in young applicants during the interview process.
✅ Competition Selection: The strict, multi-factor process—including instructor votes and professional conduct—used to select apprentices for the annual UA competition.
âś… Culture of Professionalism: Why the trades demand a higher standard of conduct and how the school is actively changing the culture for the next generation of mechanics.
We’re here to give you clarity—not confusion. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to get in, what it takes to excel, or what the future of Local 502’s training looks like, this episode is a must-watch.