The unions affiliated with the Building an Construction Trades Department provide the highest quality apprentice and journeyworker training anywhere in the world. Through apprenticeship programs, new entrants to the industry receive supervised training on the job and related theoretical instruction under the tutelage of master craftworkers who are members of the building trades unions. Minimum qualifications, application and selection procedures, training content, wage progressions and completion requirements are determined by the apprenticeship programs of each affiliated union.
All programs encourage women and minorities to apply.
The apprenticeship programs of the building and construction unions operate under standards registered and certified by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training , U.S. Department of Labor, or by a state apprenticeship agency. An innovation in the apprenticeship programs of the building trades combines apprenticeship with college study. These programs recognize the achievement of those who successfully complete their apprenticeship and offer participating apprentices expanded career options. Journeyworker Training In the building and construction trades unions, training opportunities do not end upon completion of apprenticeship. These programs are designed to broaden, diversify and update the skills of union members.