Look around you. Wherever you are, it doesn’t matter, just take a look around and be aware of how the construction industry has literally shaped your surroundings. The streets and sidewalks, utilities, factories, schools, office buildings, houses and apartment buildings, dams, bridges—possibly even the contour of the land—were produced by our industry. It’s exciting, challenging, and very demanding work! Options for career opportunities in construction trades are almost limitless.

This site is designed to provide a quick glimpse of some of the trades involved in construction, along with information on how to access the excellent training provided through union apprenticeship and journeyman training programs.

Basic requirements for most union apprenticeship programs are a high school diploma or GED, minimum of 18 years of age, residence in the Local Union’s area of jurisdiction, and good health; some do drug testing. Some utilize aptitude or other testing along with interviews to select applicants. Often, openings are advertised in local newspapers, trade newspapers and magazines, and to groups representing women and minorities.

There are some things you should know when considering a career in construction, such as the seasonal nature of the work. Much of the work is outdoor in the heat/cold/wind/rain, and, because construction sites are everywhere, dependable transportation is a necessity. 

Additionally, contractors and unions alike expect their workers to be dependable, on time, every time, with no excuses.

Unlike days of old, today’s construction workers need more than a strong back. Today, math and reading skills are important elements on the job where there are blueprints to read, grade stakes to interpret, installation and service manuals to follow, angles to calculate, material quantities to determine, and so on. Although it doesn’t require a college degree, almost every trade demands good math and reading skills, dedication and caring, good work habits, and dependability.

The benefits, however, make it all well worthwhile! The wage and benefit packages are, of course, excellent. Beyond that, there is the training, not only for apprentices, but on-going programs for journeymen to keep abreast of changes in technology, materials, methods and equipment. Plumbers and pipefitters are, for example, trained to install medical gasses in hospitals and they are keeping up with state-of the art technology in HVAC computer controls. There is nothing that can compare with that special pride of seeing a building, bridge or highway that you helped to build still standing when you drive by years later. There is perhaps no other career that offers this special feeling of having made a lasting difference.

All in all, a career in the construction trades can be exceptionally rewarding. Plan now for one of these exciting career opportunities! Stay in school. Develop a good attendance record. Take math and English classes seriously—you will use it someday. Keep your body and your mind healthy. And remember, we look forward to seeing you on one of our crews in the future.