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Apprenticeship

An apprentice is a paid worker who is enrolled in a special training program administered by an employer together with a labor organization or trade association. Most apprentices work in trades related to construction.

Apprenticeships offer:

  • Many growing job opportunities:  During the next 10 to 15 years, the number of construction-related jobs in Illinois is expected to grow at a very healthy pace.
  • Good wages:  Apprentices earn about half the going trade person's wage to start. Pay is gradually increased over the length of the apprenticeship, until training is completed and the trainee graduates to full trade person status.
  • Long-term, on-the-job training:  Most apprenticeships take three to five years to complete. The typical program includes 2,000 hours of on-the-job training plus at least 144 hours per year of related classroom instruction.

You can print the apprenticeship application, complete it, and use the office locator to submit an application and find out more or;

Click on any of the types of apprenticeships below to learn more.

Apprenticeship Description
Architectural Iron Worker Perform field fabrication & production and install iron works that are not part of a structural frame.
Boilermaker Works with boilers and vats.
Brick & Stone Mason Lay brick and stone using tools such as a trowel, level, and brick hammer.
Bricklayer (Carol Stream) Installs brick, block, stone, marble, granite, and various other clay, concrete, or natural materials.
Bricklayer (Chicago) Installs brick, block, stone, marble, granite, and various other clay, concrete, or natural materials.
Bricklayer (Elgin) Installs brick, block, stone, marble, granite, and various other clay, concrete, or natural materials.
Bricklayer (Westmont) Installs brick, block, stone, marble, granite, and various other clay, concrete, or natural materials.
Carpentry Offers a choice of a number of specialties including: construction, mill-cabinet, flooring, millwright, pile-driver, interior systems, and lather.
Cement Mason (Bellwood) Lays and finishes concrete using hand and power tools.
Cement Mason (McHenry) Lays and finishes concrete using hand and power tools.
Cement Mason (Villa Park) Lays and finishes concrete using hand and power tools.
Ceramic Tile Layer Install ceramic, mosaic, quarry, marble tile, and decorative tiles.
Construction Driver Hauls and unloads material and equipment to and from construction job sites.
Drywall Finisher Prepares drywall surfaces for painting and papering.
Electrician (Alsip) Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus.
Electrician (Aurora) Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus.
Electrician (Elgin) Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus.
Electrician (Joliet) Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus.
Electrician (Libertyville) Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus.
Electrician (Lisle) Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus.
Glazier Installs metal framing, glass reflective panels, door glass, mirrors, and plexiglass in residential, commercial, and industrial Buildings.
Heat & Frost Insulator Work with commercial and industrial insulation.
Iron Worker (Aurora) Perform structural, ornamental, reinforcing and machinery moving and rigging.
Iron Worker (Kankakee) Perform structural, ornamental, reinforcing and machinery moving and rigging.
Iron Worker (Rockford) Perform structural, ornamental, reinforcing and machinery moving and rigging.
Laborer/Construction Perform a variety of manual tasks using a number of types of tools & machinery.
Non-Union Apprenticeship Programs Non-Union Apprenticeship Programs
Operating Engineer Runs heavy equipment like bulldozers, power shovels, graders and derricks.
Painter/Decorator Applies paint and paper to outdoor and indoor walls
Painter/Drywall Finisher Applies coats of paint, varnish, staining, enamel, or lacquer to decorate and protect interior or exterior surfaces, trimmings, and fixtures of buildings and other structures.
Pattern Maker Makes metal foundry patterns, core boxes and match plates.
Pipe Fitter Installs and repairs low-and high-pressure pipe systems.
Plasterer Applies plaster to interior walls and ceiling
Plumber & Pipefitters (Aurora) Plan, ready, install, and maintain water supplies, sewers, drains, and water and vent piping.
Plumber & Pipefitters (Joliet) Plan, ready, install, and maintain water supplies, sewers, drains, and water and vent piping.
Plumber (Chicago) Installs and maintains pipe and water systems.
Plumber (Waukegan) Installs and maintains pipe and water systems.
Roofer & Waterproofer User a wide range of products and application techniques for applying hot asphalt, hot coal, tar pitch, etc...
Sheet Metal Worker (Bellwood) Works with sheet metal products such as ventilation units.
Sheet Metal Worker (Carol Stream) Works with sheet metal products such as ventilation units.
Sign Painters Requires knowledge of sign painting tools, materials and equipment.
Sprinkler Fitter Installs fire-protection and irrigation systems
Structural Iron Worker Assembles, installs and maintains iron and steel structures.
Technical Engineer Perform control, preliminary & construction surveys.
Tile Finisher Clean, grout, and polish tile and other installed materials.
Tool and Die Produce tools, dies, and special guiding and holding devices that are used in machines that produce a variety of products.
Tuckpointer Erects scaffolding, shoring and braces, and seals outside surfaces