The Steamfitters Union held an open house Tuesday for welders at its new training center in Jackson Township, and while the event drew hundreds of applicants, the union says it still needs more applicants to train.

That mostly is because of the natural gas cracker plant going up in Beaver County.

The union is looking for people with some welding experience to join its five-year apprenticeships to learn the skills required to become a fully qualified welder.

“It was fantastic,” said Kenneth Broadbent, the union’s business manager. “We had 361 people sign up.”

The union is looking for more people than usual as activity in natural gas drilling and gas processing have been in an upswing.

Broadbent believes that a surplus of welding jobs will continue well into the future.

“We normally take 50 to 60,” he said. “I think we need to take double that, or even triple.”

Welding jobs pay well and the training comes at no cost to the trainee: apprentices make $18 an hour with health coverage. After the apprenticeship, welders make around $40 an hour, according to Broadbent.

“We train people at no cost to them for middle- class jobs,” Broadbent said.

The application time is in September, and anyone who wants more information about welding apprenticeships or future open houses can visit the Steamfitter’s website at www.ua449com or call at 412-481-0333.

The next open house will be later this month for heating and air conditioner technician apprenticeships.

It will be held at the union’s training center in Harmony.