Apprenticeship

Through apprenticeship programs, new entrants to the industry receive supervised training on the job and related theoretical instruction under the tutelage of master craft-workers who are members of the trade unions. Apprentices are employed and receive wages while training on-the-job, and the cost of the related instruction is paid for by the sponsoring JATC. This "earn while you learn" feature of apprenticeship makes it affordable for all.

Minimum qualifications, application and selection procedures, training content, wage progressions and completion requirements are determined by the apprenticeship programs of each affiliated union. All programs encourage women and minorities to apply.

The union apprenticeship programs operate under standards registered and certified by the U.S. Department of Labor-Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training and the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of School-to-Career and College Initiatives.