HARMONY — Apprenticeship students get hands-on training on the second day of classes at the Steamfitters training facility on Wise Road. Monday was the first day of classes.

Steamfitters The Steamfitters deal with appliance- and industrial-based work, such as heating, refrigeration, air conditioning and process piping.

About 350 apprentices will be enrolled for the first year, although they all will not be taking classes at the same time.

Aspects apprentices are learning at the facility include welding, blueprint reading and drafting among other curricular courses.

The training program consists of 60 to 80 hours of training, of which a minimum of 35 percent must be hands-on practical exercises, according to the Steamfitters Local 449 union’s website.

“They’re earning and learning in the field with contractors,” director of training Dale Glavin said. “They come here two days a month to learn.”

Students must pass both the written and practical portions of the certification examination to be certified.