FAQs
Who can be a carpenter apprentice?
Any person meeting the minimum requirements may apply to become a carpenter apprentice. Women, minorities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.
What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a training program where you earn wages while learning to become a skilled carpenter. Apprenticeship combines classroom studies with on-the-job training supervised by a trade professional. Much like a college education, it takes several years to become fully trained in the trade that you choose except you get paid while coming to school and also during the on-the-job training.
What are the rewards of apprenticeship training?
The rewards of apprenticeship training are the good wages and benefits you receive as a member in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (over a half million members in the United States and Canada). These members work for qualified contractors under the protection of union contracts. This means you will become eligible to have health insurance, a pension and an annuity.
Why is apprenticeship training best for you?
Wanting a career in any part of the carpentry trade is a worthy goal, but it is often difficult to achieve. Historically, the knowledge needed to perform the tasks safely, proficiently and correctly was handed down generation to generation, from one skilled craftsperson to the next. History proves the knowledge of only one aspect of a trade limits apprentices from reaching their full potential. Therefore, craftspeople need to understand both the work they specialize in and how it might affect and relate to the particular tasks of other tradespeople.
By completing the nearly 6,000 hours of work experience required to graduate the training program, apprentices gain journey level worker status and become the best trained, most well-rounded and preferred candidates available for employment in the carpentry industry.
What do you mean by apprenticeship training?
An apprentice is someone who is learning a trade by working under the guidance of skilled workers called journeymen. It’s on-the-job training. You earn while you learn and are paid a wage from the first day you’re hired by a contractor.
What are some benefits of apprenticeship?
- Paid “scholarship” with supervised training
- Progressively increasing wages with excellent benefits
- Nationally recognized credential: Apprenticeship Certificate
- Improved job security and standard of living
- Opportunity for college credits
- Pride and dignity of completing the most comprehensive vocational carpentry training program offered anywhere
What is the “pre-apprentice” program?
Pre-apprenticeship offers persons wishing to join the union with no experience the training necessary to work as beginning carpenters. There are three pre-apprentice programs:
- General Carpentry @ 9 weeks
- Concrete Form Builders @ 9 weeks
- Mill Cabinet @ 8 weeks.
How long does an apprenticeship last?
Most apprenticeships last four years. Apprentices attend one week of training every three months as long as they have work hours. The exact rate of pay depends on the type of carpentry program that apprentices are enrolled in. The standard rate for an apprentice is:
- 1st Year @ 40% of journeyman wages
- 2nd Year @ 50% of journeyman wages
- 3rd Year @ 65% of journeyman wages
- 4th Year @ 80% of journeyman wages.
Are there application fees for the carpentry apprenticeship program?
Yes. A “NON-REFUNDABLE” Application Processing Fee of $25.00 (Cashier’s Check or Money Order – NO CASH) must be submitted with all applications.
What will this apprenticeship cost me?
There is an application fee of $25.00 and the purchase of the books needed for your apprenticeship costing approximately $250.00. That is all you will have to pay the training program. In fact, you will be paid a stipend during the week that you are attending school. It’s a scholarship for you to earn a career without the debt associated with college degrees.