Frequently Asked Questions About Apprenticeship

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters is North America’s largest building-trades union, with more than a half-million members in the construction and wood-products industries. We recognize that for the union to remain strong, our signatory contractors need to succeed in today’s highly competitive marketplace – and they do that with workers committed to safety, productivity, and the proud legacy of our Brotherhood. Skills, safety, and productivity have brought our members fair wages, good benefits, and dignity in work and retirement since the Brotherhood was founded in 1881.

Apprenticeship is a training program where you earn wages while learning to become a skilled carpenter. Apprenticeship combines classroom studies with on-the-job training supervised by a trade professional. Much like a college education, it takes several years to become fully trained in the trade that you choose. Unlike college, though, as an apprentice, you’ll earn while you learn. At first, you’ll make less money than skilled workers; but as you progress, you’ll get regular raises. Once you have mastered the craft, you will receive professional wages.

Any woman or man meeting the minimum requirements!  Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Apprentices must be at least 17 years old and in good health. A physical may be required. All apprentices must pass a drug and alcohol test during a 90-day probationary period.

A high-school diploma or GED is preferred. However, an applicant may provide proof of satisfactory completion of a pre-job preparatory course in Carpentry of at least six (6) months, such as United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), Job Corps, or other approved carpentry apprentice preparatory course, or on-the-job training of six (6) months, or 1500 hours' experience in the construction field that would qualify an applicant as having met the minimum educational requirements.

The rewards of apprenticeship training are the good wages and benefits you receive as a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. There are over half a million U.B.C. members in the United States and Canada. You'll be working under the protection of a union contract for a good contractor. This means you will become eligible to have health insurance, a pension, and an annuity. It pays to be the best you can be: a well trained Union Carpenter.

Having a desire to make a career in any facet of the carpentry trade is a commendable aspiration, but one which is often not easily attained. The knowledge of how to perform these tasks safely, proficiently, and correctly is a skill which historically has been handed down generation to generation, from one skilled craftsman to the next. History has proven that knowledge of only one limited aspect of the trade is never enough. To be successful in a career in the construction industry, a craftsman needs a well-rounded knowledge not only of the work in which he or she personally specializes, but how his or her work affects and ties in with all the other tradesmen and the particular tasks which they perform. By completing the 4,000 to 8,000 hours of work experience required to complete the apprentice program and become a journeyman through this program, you will be among the best, most well trained, well rounded, and most desirable candidates available for employment in this industry.

• An apprentice is someone who is learning a trade by working under the guidance of skilled workers called 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.
• To make a career in any facet of the carpentry trade requires the knowledge of how to perform these tasks safely, proficiently, and correctly.
• Carpentry is a skill which historically has been handed down from one skilled craftsman to the next. History has proven that knowledge of only one limited aspect of the trade is never enough.
• By completing the 4,000 to 8,000 hours of on-the-job training “work experience” required to complete the apprenticeship program and become a journeyman, you will be among the best, most well trained, well rounded, and most desirable candidates available for employment in this industry.

• Paid "scholarship"  with supervised training
• Progressively increasing wage with excellent benefits
• Nationally recognized credential: Apprenticeship Certificate
• Improved job security and standard of living
• Opportunity for college credit
• Pride and dignity of completing the most comprehensive vocational carpentry training program offered anywhere

• Applicants must attend an informational session, which runs approximately one hour.
• Apprenticeship applications are distributed at the conclusion of informational sessions.
• Attendance for the entire informational session is mandatory. Late arrivals will be denied admission to that session.

Upcoming Informational Sessions:

• Boston Carpenters Training Center:  750 Dorchester Avenue, 2^nd Floor, Dorchester, MA 2125

Informational sessions take place on the first Monday of every month at 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM

• New England Carpenters' Training Fund:  13 Holman Rd, Millbury, MA

Informational sessions take place on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:00 PM.

APPLICATION FOR APPRENTICESHIP CHECKLIST

Mandatory Requirements:

As an interested applicant for the Apprenticeship Program, it is your responsibility to complete all of the following mandatory requirements:

___ Provide reliable documentation of proof of age (minimum 17 years). Birth certificate preferred (driver’s license, passport, green card acceptable).

AND

___ Provide copies of documentation of high-school graduation and transcript, or completion of a GED. (High-school seniors must provide transcripts and a letter from their schools stating that they are eligible to graduate within three months.)

OR

___ Applicants must provide proof of satisfactory completion of a pre-job preparatory course in Carpentry of at least six (6) months, such as United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), Job Corps, or other approved carpentry apprentice preparatory course, or on-the-job training of six (6) months or 1500 hours experience in the construction field that would qualify an applicant as having met the minimum educational requirements.

Optional/Supplemental Documentation:

As an interested party for the Apprenticeship Program, you may choose to submit any or all of the following supplemental documents to enhance your application:

 ___ A training achievement record (TAR) to verify UBC Job Corps training and/or experience if you wish to receive consideration for such training/experience.

 ___ A DD-214 to verify military training and/or experience if you are a veteran and wish to receive consideration for such training/experience. To obtain a copy of your DD214,

click here.

 ___ Evidence of successful completion of an OSHA 10 for Construction course if you wish to receive consideration for such training/experience.

 ___ Evidence of having a valid driver’s license.

 ___ Any other documentation or information such as letters of recommendation, personal merit citations, achievement awards, etc., that you would like the sponsor to consider.

High-school seniors (age 17 or older) may apply with a letter from their school stating that they are eligible to graduate within three months.

You can get copies of your diploma or copies of your high-school transcripts by following the steps below.

1. Contact the school board in which you went to high school. If you no longer live in the area, simply search for the high-school name under the white pages. Speak to someone who keeps track of paperwork within the facility.
2. Request a copy of your transcripts. Ask them to send a copy of your transcripts to your address.
3. After you receive your paperwork, you can then include a copy of the transcript with your Apprenticeship Application.
4. Below is a sample transcript request letter you may want to send to your high school:

Name of Institution
Address of Institution

Date

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Please send a copy of my transcript to:

Apprenticeship Office
New England Carpenters Training Fund
13 Holman Rd
Millbury, MA 01527

Fax: (978) 658-3879

My student information is as follows:

Name/Former Name: _________________________________________

Years of Attendance: _________________________________________

Date of Graduation: _________________________________________

Student ID Number (if available): _________________________________________

Date of Birth: _________________________________________

Sincere thanks,

Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Your E-mail

You can get a copy of your DD214 by submitting a Military Service Record Request online at the U.S. Archives website.

Click here to be connected.
 

The new GI Bill now covers apprenticeship training.

Carpenters’ Union Apprenticeship Programs offer paid scholarships. Apprentices earn a pro-rated salary while receiving their free training to become Journeyman Carpenters with the New England Regional Council of Carpenters.

Unemployed and separating service members now will be able to train to become Journeyman Carpenters and receive GI Bill benefits as the Post-9/11 GI Bill now covers apprenticeship training.  These benefits are not available to active-duty service members or their spouses using transferred benefits.

Under the new program, veterans receive their pro-rated apprentice salary from their employers and a pro-rated housing allowance from the Veterans’ Affairs Department.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Recipients: The payment rate will be as follows - you will receive:
1. 100% of your applicable MHA during the first 6 months of training
2. 80% of your applicable MHA during the second 6 months of training
3. 60% of your applicable MHA during the third 6 months of training
4. 40% of your applicable MHA during the fourth 6 months of training
5. 20% of your applicable MHA during the remainder of the training

Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients will also receive up to $83 per month for books and supplies.

The Veterans' Administration (VA) has a searchable database of non-degree institutions covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill on its website.

• When you use the searchable database for Program Type, select: On-the-Job Training/Apprenticeship.

For additional information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill and On-the-Job & Apprenticeship Training, visit the Veterans’ Administration website

For a summary of changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Click Here

Yes, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America honors those who have served in the Armed Forces.

Veterans are asked to complete a Helmets to Hardhats Application in addition  to their Apprenticeship Application.

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) supports Helmets to Hardhats here in New England and nationwide. Click Here for more information about the UBC and Helmets to Hardhats.

With your FREE Helmets to Hardhats account, you’ll be able to:

• Post your military work experience
• Search careers
• Apply for positions instantly
• Receive job alerts
• Get career advice

Join Helmets to Hardhats and start your next career as a today!

Here's how it works: Simply CLICK HERE and complete the registration page. Make sure that you create a resume and apply to one of the carpenter job listings. We have included a nationwide posting so that every geographical area in the country is covered for your convenience. Soon, a UBC representative will contact you to help you start your civilian career with the UBC. Within no time at all, your career will begin with a solid pay and benefits package.

Everyone who has met all apprenticeship application requirements will be considered for apprenticeship and scheduled for an interview. Interviews are conducted as demand requires.

NO, there are no application fees to pay when applying for the carpentry apprenticeship program.  Note: Upon acceptance to the apprenticeship program, fees may be incurred.

A typical apprenticeship lasts forty-eight months from start to finish.  Apprentices attend one week of training every three months for sixteen sessions.

The exact rate of pay depends on the type of carpentry program in which the apprentice is enrolled. The standard for apprentices is: First year: 50-60%of journeyman wages; second year: 70-75%; third year: 80%; and fourth year: 90%.

The New England Carpenters' Training Fund (NECTF) is committed to equal opportunity for applicants. The recruitment, selection, and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, creed, handicap, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, arrest record, conviction record, or membership in the military forces of the United States. NECTF will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship, and we will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 30 and all other applicable laws.