Apprenticeship Opportunities
Posted Thursday, October 3, 2024
Apprenticeship Applications are available year-round for Heavy Equipment Repair Technician, Geothermal Well Driller and Construction Building Inspector for IUOE Local 150. Requests for applications can be filled out at any one of the 8 Union District Halls or at the William E. Dugan Training Center. Learn more about applying and how to prepare HERE. See details below.
Posted Sunday, September 8, 2024
Ironworkers Local 63 accepts Apprenticeship applications ALL year, so stop in anytime! Become an Apprentice in either its Building Program or Fence Program. Learn more HERE. See details below.
Posted Thursday, September 5, 2024
Mark the date! The Chicago-based United Association Plumbers’ JAC Local 130 will begin accepting Apprenticeship application for its Plumbing program on November 18, 2024, through February 4, 2025, OR the first 2,000 submissions, whichever occurs first. Applications will be available online on November 18, 2024 HERE. See details below.
Posted Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Pipefitters Local 597 accepts Apprenticeship applications for its program on 1st Wednesdays of EVERY month, so stop by year-round! Reserve your time slot HERE. See details below.
Posted Wednesday, December 29, 2023
The Berkely-based Finishing Trades Institute of DC 14 Commercial Painters, Industrial Painters and Drywall Finishers accept year-round applications. Click HERE to sign up and learn more. See details below.
Posted Wednesday, March 15, 2023
For more information on this program, visit IBEW 134 + NECA Chicago IN TECH Technical Institute.
Boilermakers Local 1
The Boilermakers Local 1 Apprenticeship Program accepts applications every 3rd Thursday of the month, from 8 – 10 a.m.
You must apply at the following location: Local One, 2941 Archer Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship, shall be without discrimination due to race, color, religion, national origin, age (40 or older), sex, sexual orientation, disability and genetic information.
Every applicant must supply a copy of their BIRTH CERTIFICATE and HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA/G.E.D. that the committee can keep at the time of filing an application for apprenticeship. Each applicant must demonstrate that he/she has access to reliable transportation.
WELDING QUALIFICATION: Applicants that have a welding certification or welding training qualifications will have priority selection over applicants without welding qualifications. Applicants must provide a copy and proof of welding certification or welding training qualification at the time of application.
IBEW Local 461
IBEW Local 461 will be accepting new applicants for apprenticeship in the electrical industry. Applications will be taken during the months of July, August and September 2022 on WEDNESDAYS ONLY from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Local 461’s Apprenticeship Office – 591 Sullivan Road, Suite 200, Aurora, IL 60506.
Basic Requirements:
1. You must be a minimum of 17 years of age at the time of application, and must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of selection and indenture.
2. All applications must be completed in the Local Union Office and must not be taken out of the building.
3. You must be a High School graduate or have a G.E.D. (copy of G.E.D. certificate required) or have a two-year Associate Degree or higher. Proof of one year of high school Algebra 1 with a C or better grade or post high school Algebra 1 equivalent. A high school transcript is required and must be in a sealed envelope from the school. Transcripts from post high school education and training may be submitted in a sealed envelope from the school.
4. You must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
5. Must be a resident of Local 461’s jurisdiction which includes the southern half of Kane County, all of Kendall County, plus Sandwich (including township) in DeKalb County, at the time of application.
6. Agree to sign a statement that he/she is physically able to perform electrical construction work. Accepted applicants must provide a physical exam before starting the program.
7. Accepted applicants will be required to appear, at a time and place specified by the NECA/IBEW Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee, for a drug/alcohol test.
8. Must provide a birth certificate or any other acceptable form of documentation that proves minimum age requirements.
APTITUDE TEST
Upon receipt of the above information, the applicant may be scheduled to take an aptitude test. A successful score of (3) three of better is required. Those who meet the minimum requirements on the documents submitted above and have taken the aptitude test and received a score of (3) three or better, will be scheduled for an interview by the Apprenticeship Committee.
Selections of apprentices under this program shall be made on the basis of qualifications alone. NECA-IBEW Local Union #461 J.A.T.C. will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older.
NECA-IBEW Local Union #461 JATC will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.
IBEW Local 134
IBEW Local 134 and the Electrical Contractors’ Association sponsor apprenticeship
programs in Cook County, Illinois through the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust (EJATT). EJATT has permission from the U.S. Department of Labor to open a registration for new applicants for its Electrical Program. For more information on this program, please go to our website at www.ejatt.com.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration for the Electrical Program will take place at the
IBEW-NECA Technical Institute 6201 W. 115th Street, Alsip, Illinois
EVERY WEDNESDAY 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M.
All applicants must report in person and bring the following documents in order to register:
1. Your valid Driver’s License.
2. Your original Social Security Card.
You must provide copies of the following documents that will be kept by EJATT (No
documents will be copied in our office or returned to you):
3. A $50 non-refundable registration fee (Money Order only made payable to
EJATT).
4. To prove employment eligibility you must provide a copy of your U.S. Birth
Certificate, U.S. Passport, Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization, or
Permanent Resident Alien Card. (Minimum age of 17 at registration).
5. To prove High School Graduation (HS), you must provide a copy of your HS
transcript (official or unofficial with a graduation date posted), or a copy of a HS
Diploma, or GED Certificate. College transcripts do not satisfy this requirement.
HS seniors in their last semester prior to graduation may register with acceptance
contingent upon graduation.
6. To prove one full year of HS level Algebra with a grade of at least “C” or better, or
one post HS level Algebra course or higher level course with a grade of at least “C”
or better, you must provide a copy of a transcript. Note: The GED Math
Certification does not satisfy this requirement.
Upon an offer of apprenticeship, you must be able to demonstrate that you can perform the essential functions of an apprentice electrician with or without a reasonable accommodation. In addition, a drug screen, physical exam, and background check will be required.
EJATT will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older. The EJATT will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program
as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 30.
Iron Workers Local 63
Individuals interested in becoming a Building Apprentice must go to our website for all information & the application link. Click here.
Building Apprentice applications will be open year-round and accepted/processed for the selection process as needed throughout the year.
Minimum Qualifications:
-Must complete application online
-Must be able to Read, Write, & Speak English Language
-Must have a high school diploma or GED Equivalent
-Must be able to pass an aptitude test (WorkKeys® Assessments for: Applied Math, Workplace Documents and Graphic Literacy)
-Must pass a drug test
-Must pass physical
-Must pass an HPE/ Agility Test
-Must have a valid drivers license
At Time of Hire
-Have a valid Driver’s license
-Have a reliable form of transportation
-Pass a drug test
NO EXCEPTIONS TO THESE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Equal Employment Opportunity Pledge
The Joint Apprenticeship Committee and the Architectural Metal Training School for Local 63 will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older. Architectural Metal Training School for Local 63 will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.
For more information see: iwlocal63.com
EOE/Equal Opportunity Employer
Pipefitters Local 597
Applications are available by registering for an application session.
Registration will open on the FIRST Wednesday of the month.
Applications will be administered on the SECOND Wednesday of the month at:
Pipe Fitters’ Training Center Local Union 597, 10850 W. 187th St. Mokena IL. 60448 (North Side Entrance)
Requirements: An Applicant will be issued an application upon arrival at the Training Center by fulfilling these requirements:
- Complete the online reservation form for an application date and time. Link below.
- $20.00 non-refundable application fee. (HVAC or Building Trades) (Cash or Money Order only, NO personal checks)
- Copy of birth certificate.
- Copy of high school diploma or GED certificate.
- A High school senior may apply with a letter from the school stating they are on track to graduate.
- Valid driver’s license for the state in which you reside.
Pipe Fitters’ Local Union 597 utilizes a third-party testing company to perform aptitude testing.
The company provides a study guide for a fee of $15.00. An applicant may purchase this at the Training Center at the time of application or send in a purchase order form to the testing company which is provided with the application.
An applicant is required to complete the application on site.
Registration Link – https://www.pftf597.org/application-reservation/
Sheet Metal Workers/SMART Local 265
Due to the pandemic, applications for an apprenticeship will be taken by appointment only. Please call the education office, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to schedule an appointment at 630-668-0110, ext. 29.
Qualifications for all new apprentice applicants are as follows:
- Applicant must be a minimum of 17 years of age.
- All applicants must submit the following information: a) Completed application, b) Birth certificate, c) High School diploma or G.E.D. certificate, d) Valid Illinois driver’s license, e) Military Discharge papers (if applicable.
- All apprentice candidates must pass an aptitude exam (given and administered in English on an assigned date) appropriate to the Sheet Metal or Service industry.
- Applicants who are accepted into the program will be required to provide their own transportation, and must be insurable to drive a company vehicle in order to work.
- All applicants must be available to work within the territorial jurisdiction of Local #265, which is: DuPage, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston and Will Counties.
- Apprentice candidates will be required to pass a physical exam and drug screen at a clinic to be designated by the Apprenticeship Program.
- There will be a $25 fee payable by check, cash or money order ONLY to Sheet Metal Workers Local 265 Education Fund, brought in with you at the time of application.
Note: If all required documents are not provided at the time the application is submitted, the application will NOT be accepted. The acceptance will start promptly at 8 a.m. and end at 11 a.m. sharp.
For more information, contact 630-668-0110 and ask for the Education Department.
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Virtual Tours of Building Trades
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with an opportunity to use technology in order to practice safe distancing – and still carry out our goal of educating adults and students and making them aware of the construction industry as a career.
In April, CISCO teamed up with the Chicago Transit Authority to create videos in order to show various audiences a glimpse into the life of the skilled trades.
A series of webinars called “Construction Talks” are highlighting various building trades such as carpenters, electricians, bricklayers, plumbers, etc. Zoom interviews with instructors/apprenticeship coordinators are being recorded and used to promote the trade and explain how to apply to the apprentice program.
Below are recaps of the webinars previously conducted and posted with the most recent to the initial program that featured the Carpenters trade. A link to the video is available at the end of each post.
Painters District Council #14 – October 13, 2021
“Construction Talks” most recent visit was to the Training Center of the Painters District Council #14 in Berkley. This was the 9th episode in the series which began in 2020.
The webinar featured Dan Penski, Jr., Director of Training (pictured above), Instructor Veronica Leal, and second year apprentice Rahm Jointer. Also involved in the panel discussion were CISCO’s Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad, and Brandy Phillips and Sam Hunt from the CTA.
The 50-minute webinar featured Dan Penski explaining the requirements needed to apply to the program, as well as a description of the trades’ duties. In addition, Ms. Leal and Mr. Jointer explained how they got interested in the trade and their experiences during training and how it changed their lives. To view the entire video, click here.
Laborers’ District Council – June 30, 2021
“Construction Talks” headed to the Training Center of the General Laborers’ District Council (LDC) of Chicago and Vicinity in Chicago recently as the 8th episode in the series drew more than 50 on-line participants.
The webinar featured John Retondo (pictured above), the Laborers’ Apprenticeship Director and Marcus Roberts, Training Coordinator. Also involved in the discussion were CISCO’s Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad, Brandy Phillips and Sam Hunt from the CTA.
Interviews with two apprentices were part of the 50-minute webinar. To view the entire video, click here.
The webinar series is co-coordinated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and CISCO in their effort to attract young men and women into the trades via a virtual tour and interviews with current apprentices and apprenticeship coordinators and instructors.
Operating Engineers Local 150 – April 30, 2021
“Construction Talks” headed southwest to the Training Center of the Operating Engineers Local 150 in Wilmington Illinois for the 7th episode co-coordinated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and CISCO in their effort to attract young men and women into the trades via a virtual tour and interviews with current apprentices and apprenticeship coordinators and instructors.
The webinar was held on Friday, April 30, from Noon to 1:00 pm., and highlighted the sights and sounds of the program, as well as interviews with current apprentices. Local 150’s Apprentice Coordinator George Antos, Diversity & Recruitment Specialist Daphne Jackson and Community Outreach Coordinator Nick Jorgensen all spoke about different aspects of the program. CISCO’s Executive Director Dan Allen and Education-to-Careers Director Johnetta Ryan were also key participants in the webinar.
To view the video of the webinar, click here.
Pipefitters Local 597 – February 26, 2021
The first “Construction Talks” episode of 2021 (and 6th overall) co-coordinated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and CISCO brought another captive audience of students and adults.
Moderated by CTA Coordinator of Worforce Initiatives Sam Hunt that featured panelists Adam Sutter, Local #597 Admissions Director and CISCO’s Executive Director Dan Allen, the hour-long virtual seminar was highlighted by a 15-minute video produced by the CTA’s Marc Buhmann. The webinar included interviews with current apprentices, a question and answer session, and helpful descriptions about the Pipefitters Apprenticeship Program and how to apply and what to expect. To view the video, click here.
Bricklayers, Ceramic Tile Setters & Tuckpointers – October 16, 2020
October’s edition showcased the “Trowel Trades” – Bricklayers, Ceramic Tile and Tuckpointers – as CISCO and CTA featured the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Apprenticeship Program and Training Center during their “Construction Talks” series.
Apprenticeship Coordinators representing the Bricklayers, Ceramic Tile Setters and Tuckpointers were highlighted as CTA’s Director of Diversity Programs JuanPablo Prieto led a camera crew through the facility and the apprenticeship coordinators described the program, answered questions and gave webinar participants an overview of the application process. To view the video, click here.
Plumbers Local 130 Apprenticeship Program – August 19, 2020
August’s edition featured the Plumbers Local 130 Apprenticeship Program. Local 130’s Apprenticeship Training Director Jim Majerowicz and Instructor Frank Borkowski were featured along with CISCO’s Dan Allen and Johnetta 
Ryan. Several first and third year apprentices were interviewed and a thorough tour of the Plumbers recently built new, 3-year-old Training Center was provided to all who register for the webinar.
To view the video, click here
Roofers & Waterproofers Local 11 Apprenticeship Program – July 10, 2020
July’s edition of “Construction Talks” highlighted the Roofers & Waterproofers Local 11 Apprenticeship Program. Local 11’s Apprenticeship Coordinator Marty Headtke and Instructor Brian Dubin were featured along with CISCO’s Dan Allen and Johnetta Ryan. 
CTA’s Chynna Hampton introduced the speakers and asked Marty and Brian to lead a virtual tour of the Local 11 facility in Indian Head Park. In the photo at left, Brian Dubin (right) describes how roofers use a mop to spread hot tar on certain roof structures. Marty Headtke is at left and Chynna Hampton in the center. To view the 50-minute video, click here
IBEW 134 – NECA Technical Institute Training Center – May 29, 2020
The CISCO/CTA webinar series titled “Construction Talks” finished May with a virtual tour of the Apprenticeship Training Program at IBEW Local 134 – NECA Technical Institute. The series host, CTA’s Chynna Hampton was joined by 134 Training Director 
Gene Kent, Community Relations Manager Maurice King (a CISCO Board member) and CISCO’s Johnetta Ryan and Dan Allen. The tour included a peak at various classrooms and training activity rooms where first, second and third year apprentices were learning their craft. Impromptu interviews with different apprentices were highlighted. To view the webinar/virtual tour, click here.
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Apprenticeship Program – May 1, 2020
CISCO’s long-standing partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and other affiliates continued as it presented the first in a series of virtual meetings last Friday, May 1st. About 75 people “attended” the hour-long webinar enabling viewers to learn what it takes to apply and succeed in a union apprenticeship.
The episode featured Carpenter’s Apprenticeship Director Vince Sticca, Assistant Coordinator Kina McAfee, and Instructors John Husnick and Brad Rollins. Joining them on the tour of the Training Center in Elk Grove Village were CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen and ETC Director Johnetta Ryan.
Various areas of the Training Center were featured and several on-line questions were answered by the panel of experts. To view the virtual tour, click here.