APPRENTICESHIPS

What does the Construction Craft Laborers Apprenticeship Program Entail?

Through a combination of classroom and on-the-job training, new members gain the skills to become a Construction Craft Laborer. LIUNA requires all new members to participate in a comprehensive apprenticeship program, consisting of 4,000 hours of on the job training with an additional 400 hours of classroom training. Through this program, men and women gain the necessary skills to building a career.
All training is provided free of charge to qualified candidates, and apprentices are paid according to a schedule based on training and experience. Pay raises are given after each period of approximately 1,000 hours of work and training.

 

  • First period 0-1000 hours at 75% of the journeyworker rate.
  • Second period 1001-2000 hours at 85% of the journeyworker rate.
  • Third period 2001-3000 hours at 90% of the journeyworker rate.
  • Fourth period 3001-4000 hours at 95% of the journeyworker rate.

Apprenticeship Requirements

To join the Laborers International Union of North America, one must participate in Laborers Local #1140 Apprenticeship Program.
The minimum qualifications for applicants are:

  1. Not less than 18 years of age. Proof of age may be required.
  2. Physically able to perform the work of the trade.
  3. Minimum of a 12th grade education, copy of a high school transcript or GED required. Applicants must be able to read and write in the English language.
  4. Must possess a valid drivers license.
  5. Must submit to a drug test in compliance with current drug testing standards.

Applicants will be required to complete an application form and provide substantiating evidence or claimed qualifications.

Applications are taken the first Wednesday of every month from 9am-2pm. You must bring required documents at time of application.

Contractor Requirements

The Laborers Local #1140 Apprenticeship Program is committed to providing the necessary skills to LIUNA’s newest members, the apprentices. Through a combination of classroom and on-the-job training, new members will be fully prepared to meet the needs of the Union Construction industry. Contractors need to be aware of the pay and benefit rules as they pertain to apprenticeship.
Apprentice Wages and Progression
Apprentices shall be paid an increasingly progressive schedule of wages consistent with skills and knowledge acquired. The rate for each period of the apprenticeship is expressed as a percentage of the skill Construction Craft Laborer journeyworker rate specified in the collective bargaining agreement. The schedule that follows provides for four equal periods of approximately 1,000 hours of work and training each:

  • First period at 75% of the journeyworker rate.
  • Second period at 85% of the journeyworker rate.
  • Third period at 90% of the journeyworker rate.
  • Fourth period at 95% of the journeyworker rate.

Apprentice Benefits
Apprentices will not be eligible for and employers shall not be required to pay on behalf of apprentices contributions into annuity, defined contribution, vacation or supplemental employment benefit funds. Apprentices shall be eligible for and employers shall be required to pay on behalf of apprentices contributions to health and welfare, training, and pension funds.

Pre-Apprenticeship Training

80-hour General Construction Class (includes CPR, First Aid, and Traffic Control)

To be taken within the first 1,000 hours of on-the-job training

  • 40-hour Scaffold Builder/User
  • 10-hour OSHA Safety

To be taken within the second 1,000 hours of on-the-job training

  • 80-hour Concrete/Mason Tending Class including 4 hour Silica/Respirator Awareness
  • 4-hour Union History Course

To be taken within the third 1,000 hours of on-the-job training

  • 80-hour Blueprints/Grades/Construction Math
  • 4-hour CPR Refresher
  • 4-hour Traffic Control Refresher

To be taken within the final 1,000 hours of on-the-job training

  • 80-hour Pipe Class
  • 8-hour Quality Initiative

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Construction Craft Laborer?

A Construction Craft Laborer (CCL) is part of a team, working in North America’s largest industry-the construction industry. The skills of the CCL are diverse, requiring classroom instruction and hands-on-training. Because of this diversity, the CCL is often the first craft on the project and the last to leave. To be a good CCL requires physical strength, reading and math skills, and the ability to make decisions. The CCL needs to be able to work on his or her own and on a team to get the job done.

As a CCL, what kinds of work will I do?

The kinds of work you will do depends on your knowledge and skill level and the type of work needed at a job site. You may build and repair roads, highways, bridges, and tunnels, construct residential and commercial buildings, clean up hazardous waste sites, or perform other kinds of work. Among the tasks you may be doing are drilling and blasting site areas, building scaffolds, preparing and cleaning up a job site, laying pipe underground, placing concrete, flagging and controlling traffic on highways, and removing asbestos and lead from buildings, to name just a few.

How do I learn the skills of a CCL?

You enter the trade as an “apprentice,” learning skills in the classroom and on the job. While an apprentice, you learn many of the skills by attending a minimum of 400 hours of classroom training. Then you practice those skills with a skilled journey worker for 4,000 hours of on-the-job training – earning a wage while learning the trade.

What can I expect on the job?

You will work with a journey worker who mentors and instructs you on the various skills of the CCL trade. You will be expected to give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay and be at the job every workday and on time. You will be working both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions, performing physical tasks using your technical skills.

What are the entry requirements for the CCL Apprenticeship Program?

All CCL Apprenticeship Programs require you to be at least 18 years of age and physically able to perform the work of the trade. You are also required to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent because the classroom and on-the-job portion of the CCL Apprenticeship Program requires a certain degree of reading and math skills and science and physics knowledge. We also require a valid driver’s license.

Can I continue my education after I complete the CCL Apprenticeship Program?

Yes. After you complete the CCL Apprenticeship Program, you may take additional courses at a Laborers’ Training Center.

How much money can I expect to make?

Starting wages for journey workers can range from $8 to $25 an hour plus benefits, depending on the area in which you work. While you are learning the trade, you will earn a percentage of the journey worker wage and receive regular increases as you learn the skills of the CCL.

What are the benefits of becoming a LIUNA CCL apprentice?

Becoming a union CCL apprentice can be one of the most important decisions of your life-especially in your working career. Joining LIUNA-the Laborers’ International Union of North America-will enable you to earn a good wage and receive the following benefits:

  • Medical Insurance
  • Job Training
  • Lifelong Learning
  • Retirement Pension Plan

Many LIUNA members also enjoy benefits under their local Member Assistance Program, which offers financial and legal assistance, reduced rates for mortgage loans and credit cards, personal and family counselors and other benefits.