What is an Apprentice?
An apprentice is a training-level employee who works in the building and construction trades while also attending classes to learn industry skills and safety techniques. Wages for an apprentice increase over the course of this training, which lasts from two to five years depending on the trade. An apprentice who graduates to journey-person is recognized as a well-qualified worker who can command the best wages and benefits.
What are the qualifications to become an apprentice?
Applicantss for Apprenticeship shall be not less than 18 year of age, ave pronounced aptitude and interst in this craft and be physicall able to perform the essential job functions.
Applicants for Apprenticeship shall provide a birth certificate or proof of age, photo I.D. and a social security card. Veterans shall provide a copy of their DD form 214.
Applicants must be able to prove they are legal residents of the United States.
Selection Procedure:
1. An application shall be made available to anyone who is interested regardless of any other consideration.
2. All application blanks shall have an assigned serial number, which is shown in the upper right hand corner for accountability purposes.
3. Applications shall be available at: The Texas Iron Workers Apprenticeship Program of Local Union #84, 7521 Fauna St., Houston, TX 77061 (713)644-3206. When applications are taken from an area other than listed above, the location, time, etc., will be listed in the advertisement.
4. A log or flow chart shall be maintained consisting of lines and columns. The serial numbers will be listed in numerical sequence (one (1) per line); the corresponding serial numbers will be so noted individually on each application. Columns shall be provided to show the progress, by dates, and final disposition of each application.
5. Applications shall be taken year round. Interviews shall be held periodically. All aplications taken since the last series of interviews shall be processed to completion before any individual is accepted or rejected. Interviews shall be granted to all who meet the basic requirements, but not to those who lack in any one basic requirement.
6. Those not accepted in one year''''''''s interview, due to the lack of qualifications, shall not be considered in later years unless they have improved their qualifications in some way (further education, etc.).
Step-by-Step Procedure for Each Applicant:
1. Everyone expresing an interest shall first be required to fill out an application. Be sure it is dated and signed. If the application is taken from the office, require the applicant to sign the book in the "Names" column. this is to show that the application was received, even though it may not be returned.
2. Give the applicant a copy, as well as an explanation, of the basic requirements for entrance.
3. Explain that the date of interview will be set by the date the application is left in the office, place the same date in the "Application Returned" column.
4. Fill in the appropriate columns in the book or form. If the application is left in the office, place the same date in the "Application Returned" column.
5. When all information is completed on this application, place the date the last item was received in the column headed "Application Completed".
6. Check the application for basic entrance requirements: age, S.S. card, photo I.D., proof of age in the form of a birth certificate or other official document.
7. If the applicants are deficient in any one of the basic requirements, note same in the column marked "Date of Committee Interview" to show that they are not entitled to an interview.
8. Periodically, the Committee shall consider those applications from persons who do not meet the basic requirments and move to reject them. The applications shall be notified of their rejection.
9. When an applicant is rejected, because of a lack of basic entrance requirement, this shall be noted in the column marked "Final Disposition".
Procedure for Interviews:
1. List all qualified applicants, who have completed their applications, in the order of applications completion date (oldest date first). If several complete their applications on the same date, arrange the applicants on the basis of serial numbers.
2. Divide this list into smaller groups for each interview session. Allow at least ten (10) minutes for each interview. The desired length of interview meetings will determine the number of each list.
3. When scheduleing interviews, provide ample time to meet with all applicants.
4. Notify applicants to appear for interview, and require a reply by a specific date. NOTE: Some of these applicants may no longer be interested. Notification shall specify a time to appear. Schedule an appropriate number of applicants for each hour.
The Interview Session:
1. Applicants shall be provided a place to wait for their interview.
2. Every application will be submitted to the committee in order that committee members will be fully informed about each applicant.
3. The applicant shall be called before the committee and put at ease by brief general conversation. Remember - this is an important step for them and they might well be under considerable strain and nervous tension.
4. Committee members, or a pre-designated member, shall ask questions of the applicant with the purpose in mind of finding out as much as possible about them as individuals and their capacity to become an apprentice and a journeyperson, (including questions in the following area to determine motivation, attitude, ambition and willingness to accept direction).
a. Is applicant seriously interested in the trade, or just looking for a job?
b. What is applicant''s attitude toward hard work; he/she ever done any?
c. Does he/she indicate a sense of responsiblity for performance, materials, safety and the like?
d. Can he/she work under supervision? Can they take orders?
e. Would he/she learn to work as part of a crew?
f. How does he/she feel toward school? Does he/she view it as an opportunity, or a requirement?
g. Does he/she understand what will be expected of her/him if accepted?
h. Many other categories may be coverd in the above questions and answers.
5. When the interview is completed, the applicant shall be excused and told that he/she will be notified in writing of the committee''s decision.
6. Each committee member shall grade the applicant in terms of their own overall judgement as to whether the applicant is an indivudal who is likely to complete apprenticeship and become a successful journeyperson. Grades shall take into account the information from the application and the factors brought out in the interview. Grading must be against the standard of what the industry needs, not merely as a comparison to the other applicants.
7. All interviewed applicants shall be ranked and placed on the list of eligibles. This list will be maintained for a period of not less than two years. These eligibles will again be reconsidered at the same time that new qualified applicants are intereviewed.
Equal Employment Opportunity Pledge
The recruitment, selection, employment and training of Apprentices during their Apprenticeship shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. The Sponsor will take afirmative action to provide equal opportunity in Apprenticeship and will operate the program as required under Title 29 code of Federal Regulations, Part 30, as amended.
Advance Standing
Apprentices, having had previous experience in the trade, may be admitted to advanced standing on the evaluation of such experience by the JATC and must be granted to all applicants in an equal manor.
Term of Apprenticeship
The term of Apprenticeship shall be three years of reasonably continuous employment in an approved schedule of work experience together with a minimum of 612 hours of related instruction hours as covered by these Standards of Apprenticeship. Training and instruction shall include reinforcing, post tensioning, rigging, structural, ornamental, welding, sheeting and fencing.
An apprentice, failing to pass a satisfactory examination after serving the normal term of Apprenticeship, shall be given an opportunity to serve another six months at which time he/she shall be re-examined.
What are the benefits of an Apprenticeship Training and Union Membership?
Apprenticeship training provides individuals with the skills needed to compete economically and work safely. Union members of the building and construction trades typically receive higher wages and better benefits than those employed by non-union contractors.
You must:
- Be 18 years of age
- Pass a drug test
- Have a valid Id and SS#
How do I prepare for the trade?
The following will be helpful to have completed courses in or possess the following skills:
What are the program specifics?
- Length of Program 3 years
- 225 hours of classroom
- Starting pay 65% of Journeyman rate
- Open enrollment (Year round)
- Slot ins for prier experience
- Class are 2 evenings a week, No summer classes
The Journeymen Wage Rate is : $20.77.
