Apprentice Program

Our Apprentice Training Program combines hands-on classroom education by qualified instructors with on-the-job training. This “earn while you learn” approach gives you the opportunity to earn a good living while developing highly marketable skills for life. We have numerous specialized carpenter training programs that are right for you including:

GENERAL CARPENTRY

• Commercial
• Residential

SPECIALITY TRADES

• Concrete Form Building
• Floor Coverer
• Mill-Cabinet
• MIllwright
• Pile Driver

What is an Apprentice?

An apprentice is someone who is learning a trade by working under the guidance of skilled 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. Apprentices usually start at about 40 percent of the skilled journeyman’s rate of pay. Apprentice wages are increased at periodic intervals until their wages are up to 80 percent of the journeyman’s rate-usually the last year of training.

Any candidate applying for an apprenticeship must meet the following requirements:

If the above requirements are met the applicant must obtain a recommendation from one of the following:

• Be 17 years of age or older.
• Reside in one of the following Illinois Counties: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Iroquois, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry or Will
• Have a valid driver’s license or state I.D. card.
• Have a High School diploma or a G.E.D. Certificate or offically sealed HIgh School Transcripts (minimum 8 credit).
• Original Social Security card or a receipt showing an application for a duplicate card has been applied for.
• Submit a $25.00 non-refundable Application Processing Fee (Money Order/Cashiers Check ONLY). No cash or credit cards accepted.

• PRIOR TO TRAINING START DATE:
• Must be physically fit to work as a carpenter (no restrictions).
• Pass an proficiency test.
• Pass a drug test.

Veterans

• Please register at www.HelmetstoHardhats.org. Please follow up with this office at (847) 640-7373.

The Apprenticeship Information Center – Shall function as a primary registration agency. Interested individuals may file an application at the state agency in order to establish eligibility.

Union Contractors – The applicant must obtain a letter of recommendation from the contractor stating that the company intends to employ the applicant upon becoming an apprentice.

Regional Council – A letter of recommendation must be obtained by the applicant from a local union affiliated with the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice and Training Program. To find the local union in your area please click here.

Qualifying applicants must appear in person at the Apprentice Training Center to complete and file an “Application for Apprenticeship in Carpentry.” At that time the applicant must meet the minimum qualifications and present the prescribed documents as stated above.

Each applicant who meets the above criteria shall be eligible to take the aptitude and qualifying tests, as required for entry into the Apprenticeship Program. The aptitude and qualifying tests are held at various times and measure vocabulary and word meaning, arithmetic ability, reasoning power and natural talent for carpentry.

Applicants are notified by mail, informing them of the testing date, time and place. Applicants are also notified by mail as to whether they passed or failed the tests.

The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship shall be without discrimination because of age, race, color, religion, national origin or sex.