The Northern California Laborers
Apprenticeship Program was formed on October 20, 1995 when the
Board of Trustees established their first Joint Apprenticeship
Training Committee (JATC). The purpose was to create a structured
training program that would consistently provide signatory contractors
with productive multi-skilled Construction Craft Laborers. The
program consists of classroom construction, hands-on training
and 3,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Upon completing an application, prospective apprentices will
be invited to one of our mandatory orientations which are held
throughout the year at the Laborers Training Center (LTC) in
San Ramon and its satellite campus in West Sacramento. Here,
the candidates will undergo a hands-on skills assessment to determine
if they are physically able to perform the duties of the craft.
Applicants will also be interviewed by representatives of the
apprenticeship program.
Starting hourly wages vary for incoming apprentices but will
be at least $16.83 in San Francisco Bay Area Counties and $16.18
in all other areas. Apprentices will receive employer paid health
and welfare benefits after their first 440 hours on the job.
Other benefits (such as retirement and vacation pay) start to
accrue after 1500 hours on the job. Previous construction experience
may increase your starting point within the program. If you have
previous experience in the construction trades be sure to indicate
it on your application.
After the application and orientation processes have been completed,
those apprentices who receive a passing grade will be placed
on the List of Eligibles. When requests for additional apprentices
are received by the apprenticeship office, those who are highest
on the List of Eligibles will be invited to enroll in the next
available class. Applicants will then take that notification
to their local union office and join the Laborers union. The
initiation fee is $300 plus any additional fees collected by
the union (usually 3 months of dues). The balance of the initiation
($300-$400) is due prior to advancement to 4th period (usually
9 months).
Once the apprenticeship office verifies that all fees have been
paid, the apprentice will be placed in the next available class
held at the LTC. The class lasts for three weeks and is designed
to prepare the apprentices for what will be expected of them
on the construction site. Apprentices will learn about the proper
use of common tools, concrete and asphalt paving work as well
as receive certifications necessary on today's construction work
sites. Upon completing the first three-week class, apprentices
will be returned to their local union office where they will
now be eligible for dispatch as an apprentice.
Classroom training, however, doesn’t stop there. Before
reaching their 1500th hour of on-the-job training, apprentices
will return to the LTC for additional hands-on and classroom
training. This second set of two weeks will provide the apprentice
with additional training and certifications designed to make
the apprentice a “multi-skilled construction laborer”.
After completing this round of training, the apprentice will
be half way through the program.
With 1500 hours of on-the-job training left before graduation,
the apprentice will return to the LTC one last time for classroom
training. This one-week period will consist of the hazardous
waste removal class.
Apprentices may also join our Program through the contractor
sponsorship method. Signatory contractors who have an individual
in mind to join their company as an apprentice may contact our
office to bring that individual directly into the Program.
If becoming a Construction Craft Laborer sounds like a good
career path for yourself, click on the application link below.
You may fill it out on line and submit it directly to the office.
You may also stop by the nearest Laborers local union office
for an application and additional information. Click here to
fill out an application.
For information about the program, please call us at (925) 556-0858
or send an Email to apprenticeship@norcalaborers.org
