The Other 4-Year Degree
Union apprenticeship programs are a great way to become proficient in a craft while working in the trade and earning a paycheck!
An apprenticeship is the premier “Earn-While-You-Learn” opportunity when starting a new career in construction. While in your apprenticeship, which usually lasts 3 to 5 years, you will work full-time in the field of your choice and receive a pay check with benefits. You will also attend a part-time trade school, all of which is paid for through contributions made by all union employers and union workers. This means that you, as an apprentice, do not have to pay tuition and graduate debt-free!
Different Building Trades
Construction encompasses all different types of skills and crafts and requires many different disciplines – from carpentry and painting to plumbing and electrical. All of these crafts exist in many different areas of the industry: residential, commercial, industrial, institutional (schools, hospitals etc.), heavy-highway (roads, bridges) and more. As with any life decision, knowing what specialty your skills match will make your experience more successful and save you time in the long run. It is worth taking a look at all your options before choosing one.
Look through the tabs to the left to see more about each trade
Employment
Typically, construction unions have one Collective Bargaining Agreement (or contract) that is common with many different employers. This is referred to as a “Multi-Employer Agreement.” Under these contracts all workers are paid the same level of wages and benefits for their specific classification of work, all of which is negotiated for the worker by the union. During periods of low employment, the union’s multi-employer agreements provide the worker with multiple opportunities for continued employment, as the union will refer you to another contractor and, at a minimum, you can expect to receive the same level of pay and benefits irrespective of the contractor you work for.