TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Nearly 200 new apprentices and hundreds of returners gathered at Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 157 on Friday morning for orientation.

The union has spent over a century training people for jobs like pipe fitters, plumbers, and HVAC service technicians.

Business Manager for the union, Troy Bennett, said the apprentices go through both classroom and hands-on training.

"A lot of class time", Bennett said. "They work out in the field mostly and then they come here one day a week, every other week, for 10-hour days. They get their training in class and then they're out in the field working and getting hands-on training."

Many of the apprentices, like Kenny Beachem, said they chose this path over the more traditional college route.

"The trade you can

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