Apprenticeship The “other” 4 year degree

Highlights of Apprenticing There are over 300 apprentice titles These jobs are often found in construction, manufacturing and the service industry Apprenticeship programs allow you to earn a salary while you are learning a skill

Apprentice Duties Some apprentices are required to work with their hands, complete complicated, precise tasks, or operating large equipment. Physical requirements can include strength, ability to work in clean and dirty environments and a willingness to work in all sorts of weather conditions

Information for Students A company employs the apprentice in a particular trade The apprentice is then paired with a more experienced worker – a Mentor The apprentice and the Mentor follow a state approved work training format that outlines the skills the apprentice is expected to learn The apprentice must accumulate a specified number of work hours in each to the categories on the training outline

Information for Students (cont) Apprentices earn a paycheck while they are being trained Apprentices attend additional classroom training Apprenticeships range from a minimum of two to maximum of five years

Preparing for Apprenticeship Minimum qualifications are established by the program Sponsor Candidates who have related work experience or classroom instruction have an advantage Math is almost always desirable

Minimum Qualifications for Trade Unions The following qualifications are needed in order to apply for work at most trade unions including:  Asbestos  Bricklayers  Carpenters  Plasters/Cement Masons  Electricians  Ironworkers  Laborers  Operating Engineers  Painters  Plumbers  Roofers  Sheet Metal

Minimum qualifications (cont) Applicants must be:  18 years of age  Have a High School diploma or GED  Verification of physical capabilities  Reliable transportation  Become a union member

Minimum qualifications (cont) Applicants may also be required to:  Live in certain counties  Completion of an aptitude test  Valid drivers license  Drug screening test  Demonstrate you can work at heights  School math courses

Salary rates and length of training The following information indicates the length of time required to learn a particular trade. The salaries are roughly based on the year 2009 collective bargaining agreements and are subject to change. Trade Approximate Length Minimum Journeyworker Rate Boilermakers4 years$27.73 or $57,678/yr. Bricklayers2-4 years$25.16 or $52,333/yr. Carpenter4 years$23.24 or $48,339/yr. Carpenter 3 years$28.44 or $59,155/yr. (Heavy Highway) Electrician4-5 years$30.00 or $62,400/yr. Elevator Constructor4 years$36.46 or $75,837/yr. Heavy Equipment 3 years$22.07 or $45,906/yr. Operator

Salary rates and length of training (cont) Trade Approximate Length Minimum Journeyworker Rate Ironworker4 years $23.63 or $49,150/yr. Laborer2 years$19.55 or $40,664/yr. Mason3 years$25.81 or $53,685/yr. Millwright4 years$23.46 or $48,797/yr. Painter3 years$21.40 or $44,512/yr. Plumber/Pipefitter5 years$27.90 or $58,032/yr. Roofer4 years$23.50 or $48,880/yr. Sheetmetal Worker5 years$25.85 or $53,768/yr. Sprinkler Fitter5 years$30.65 or $63,752/yr.