What Does Being an Apprentice Mean?
Are you willing to work hard and get paid good money while you train? That's right! Unlike trade schools, you don't pay us. You'll be on the job earning a good living while you learn the trade. Current apprentices can start at $16 per hour and can earn up to $26, plus accrue health care and other benefits immediately. The apprenticeship program is a three-year commitment and you can earn college credit.
There's no getting around it – the work is demanding – and much of it is outdoors. And, there are requirements similar to those of other building trade apprenticeship programs:
- Minimum age of 18
- High school diploma or GED
- Good physical condition
- The ability to pass drug and alcohol screenings
- Have a valid drivers' license and access to a car – many job sites are in remote areas not served by public transportation
- Pass muster with our apprenticeship committee
How Does Our Apprenticeship Program Work?
Our program is a three year program. All of our training (for all three zones) is conducted at our training facility located in the heart of the Strip District of Pittsburgh. Training is conducted year round as you work for one of our contractors. At seven different times throughout the year, you will be required to attend our training facility for one week at a time. That's 280 hours of quality training each year. Each training week is set up to follow the same time schedule as a typical work week, combining classroom instruction with indoor and outdoor hands on training that will simulate the same conditions that you will encounter on the job site.
How Is My Rate of Pay Determined? As an apprentice, you will start out at 55% of what a journeyman in your area is currently making, PLUS you will receive full benefits after around three months of steady employment. From there you pay will increase as you acquire on the job experience. You will get your first raise after just 700 hours of on the job training and a second raise after you acquire another 700 hours of on the job training. WOW! that's two raises in about 9 months of steady employment. From there, your pay continues to increase as you acquire even more on the job experience.
What Are My Chances of Steady Employment If I am Accepted? The work outlook over the next ten years has never looked better. Our area is projected to experience the largest construction boom in its history. In addition to that, many of our current members will be retiring during that time. Each time a new class of apprentices are accepted, is does take a while to get everyone out to work, and work can be sporadic for the first six months or so, but with a little patience, combined with a great attitude and work ethic, the sky is the limit, and steady employment can be just around the corner.
If Work Does Slow Up, Does That Mean That I Will Be The First To Be Laid Off Since I Will Be One of The Newest Members? NO! Our union does not go by seniority. Our contractors keep the most dependable and the hardest working ironworkers. It's all up to you! If you work hard, are dependable, and can prove your worth to our contractors, you should be able to keep steady employment. It all comes down to SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. Just remember, when you become an apprentice, all of the other apprentices in the program are your competition. It's up to you to show that you are better than the rest and deserve to remain employed.
What does the training cost?
The training program itself is free. You will be required to purchase the necessary books each year which is about $75 a year, and you will be required to join our union. There is currently a $35.00 non refundable application fee required when you submit your application. We do not accept cash, so please submit a check or money order with your application.
How Do I Become an Apprentice?
If you’re up to the challenge and are interested in becoming an ironworker and live in one of the following counties – Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Center, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Washington, Warren and Westmoreland – download an application and follow the instructions for submission.
Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 will continue to accept applications throughout the year.
If you do not reside in one of the counties listed, please visit www.impact-net.org for the local union in your area.
What Happens Once I Sign Up to Take the Test?
The first step is you will be required to take our aptitude test which will test your math, reading and measurement skills. If you score 80% or higher on our aptitude test, you will then be asked to come in for an interview with our Apprenticeship Committee. You interview will be scored and if you score is high enough, you will be placed on our acceptance list. When the need for more apprentices arises, we take the top scores from the acceptance list and offer them a spot in the apprenticeship program. Each time a test and interviews are given, the interview scores are added to the acceptance list in the appropriate order. The highest scores are placed near the top and the lower scores are placed near the bottom. Our list is constantly being updated each time we offer testing. Once you make the acceptance list, your score will remain on the list for 2 years. As apprentices are accepted or as new tests are given, you may move up or down on the list depending on your score.
How often are you currently testing?
We are currently testing 2-4 time a year.
How often are you accepting Apprentices?
We are taking apprentices as the need ariaes. Over the past two years, we have beem averaging a new class every 6 months.
WE DO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS YEAR-ROUND. DON'T DELAY, GET YOUR APPLICATION IN EARLY TO RESERVE A SPOT FOR THE NEXT TEST.
CURRENT APPLICATION TIMELINE:
ZONE 1
For the counties of ALLEGHENY, ARMSTRONG, BEAVER, BUTLER, CAMBRIA, CLARION, FAYETT, GREENE, INDIANA, WASHINGTON, and WESTMORELAND
- We are currently taking applications for our apprenticeship program.
- The next testing date is tenatively scheduled for September 13, 2008 in Pittsburgh.
- The deadline for applying for the next testing date is August 29, 2008. All completed applications must be postmarked on or before this date or hand delivered to our Pittsburgh office on or before this date. Applications received after this date will automatically be registered for the next testing date that will be in the spring of 2009.
ZONE 2
For the counties of CRAWFORD, ERIE, FOREST and WARREN
- We are currently taking applications for our apprenticeship program.
- The next testing date is tenatively scheduled for September 13, 2008 in Pittsburgh.
- The deadline for applying for the next testing date is August 29, 2008. All completed applications must be postmarked on or before this date or hand delivered to our Pittsburgh office on or before this date. Applications received after this date will automatically be registered for the next testing date that will be in the spring of 2009.
ZONE 3
For the counties of BLAIR, CAMERON,CENTER, CLEARFIELD, CLINTON, ELK, JEFFERSON, McKEAN, POTTER
We are currently taking applications for our apprenticeship program.
The next testing date is tenatively scheduled for early September, 2008.
The deadline for applying for the next testing date is August 29, 2008. All completed applications must be postmarked on or before this date or hand delivered to our Pittsburgh office on or before this date. Applications received after this date will automatically be registered for the next testing date that will be in the spring of 2009.