EARN WHILE YOU LEARN

 

MCIRCC-JATC, 904 Brenkman Dr., Pekin IL 62554

The JATC Apprenticeship and Training Program

Carpentry is one of the oldest and most respected professions in the world. It requires a wide variety of skills and offers a magnitude of challenges. It is also one of the most exciting and satisfying careers you can choose. The future is in your hands - and we have a plan that can help you obtain not just a job, but a rewarding career.

Mid-Central Illinois Regional Council of Carpenters (MCIRCC) covers 41 counties throughout central Illinois. Our apprenticeship and training facility is located at 904 Brenkman Drive in Pekin, Illinois. Our training program combines hands-on classroom education by qualified instructors with on-the-job training. This "earn while you learn" approach gives you the opportunity to earn a good living while developing highly marketable skills...for life. This is an exciting and satisfying career.

Our on-site facilities include a dormitory for students living outside a 50-mile radius of Pekin, giving you the opportunity to take advantage of the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program, no matter where you live within the district. The dormitory features a comfortable, home-like setting with recreational facilities and catered meals free of charge for all apprentices.

What is an apprentice?

An apprentice is someone who is learning a trade by working under the guidance of skilled workers called journeyman. Apprentices start at 50% of the journeyman's pay rate. Wages are increased at periodic intervals until graduating to journeyman status.

Apprentices are required to attend school for four weeks each year for a period of four years. The training is free; however, you will not receive wages while attending school. Failure to attend scheduled classes will terminate you from the program.

How do I apply?

Applying is easy. Anyone wishing to enter the Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program may do so by meeting the following qualifications and submitting an application.

Qualifications:

• Residency within the territorial area of Mid-Central Illinois Regional Council of Carpenters. This includes the following counties: Adams, Brown, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Cole, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Ford, Fulton, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Knox, Livingston, Logan, McDonough, McLean, Macon, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Tazewell, Vermilion, Warren and Woodford.
• Minimum age: 17
• Education: You must possess a high school diploma or a GED equivalency certificate.
• Other: Applicants must have a valid driver's license and must be drug free and physically able to perform the work of the trade.

Application Process

Applicants qualifying for the program must complete and submit an application to join.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE APPLICATION
(Application is an Adobe PDF file. You will need the free Adobe Reader to view and print it.)

Applications are accepted at 904 Brenkman Drive, Pekin, IL, 61554 on a daily basis, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except for holidays. To be considered complete, your application must include:

• Copies of your birth certificate, driver's license, high school diploma (or GED)
• A DD-214 to verify any military training and/or experience
• A $10 administrative fee (cashier's check, money order or cash only - no personal checks accepted)

The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship shall be without discrimination because of age, race, color, religion, national origin or sex. The sponsor will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the Apprenticeship Program as required by the rules of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training; U.S. Department of Labor; and Title 29 Part 30 of the code of Federal Regulation.

How are candidates selected?

Once your application is complete, you are placed in an eligibility pool. At that point, two conditions are necessary for the intake of new apprentices from the eligibility pool:

1. There must be low employment (30% or less) of apprentices within the local union where you live; and
2. There must be jobs available in your area.

When these conditions are stable, you will be informed of the time and place to take a qualifying test, developed and validated by the local JATC. If you pass the test (achieving a score of 70% or higher) you will be notified of a meeting to attend to receive your letter of introduction and list of signatory contractors.

Once you are hired, have your contractor complete the letter of introduction and report (with completed letter) to your local union office. You will then fill out the necessary paperwork and be referred to the job.

Probation

You will be placed on a 120-day probation period upon acceptance. During this period, termination/withdrawal may be made by the Joint Apprentice and Training Committee at the request of either party in the agreement you will be asked to sign. After the probation period, the committee may cancel the agreement for due cause, such as lack of progress or lack of interest on your part as an apprentice.

The Next Level

Once you acquire journeyman status, you will be among the most respected professionals in your field. As a union carpenter, millwright, millcabinet, floor coverer or piledriver, you will also receive numerous benefits, including a work contract, health insurance, a retirement program and much more. Becoming a union member can open the door to a solid future.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Must be at least 18 years old; must present birth certificate; must have original Social Security card; must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate; must have reliable transportation; must be able to speak, write and read the English language; must pass drug screening; must pass a physical exam; must be a legal resident of the United States; and must reside in the local union jurisdiction. Apprenticeship program usually consists of four years of on-thejob training, supplemented by about 144 hours of classroom instruction each year in subjects such as set-up and assembly rigging, welding of all types, blueprint reading and layout.

WAGE INFORMATION:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

Boilermakers and boilermaker mechanics make, install, and repair boilers, vats and other large vessels that hold liquid or gases. Boilers supply steam to drive huge turbines in electric power plants and to provide heat and power in buildings, factories, and ships. Tanks and vats are used to process and store chemicals, oil, beer and hundreds of other products.

Following blueprints, boilermakers locate and mark reference points on the boiler foundation for installing boilers and other vessels, using straightedges, squares, transits and tape measures. They attach rigging and signal crane operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections and other parts into place. They align sections, using plumb bobs, levels, wedges and turnbuckles. Boilermakers use hammers, files, grinders and cutting torches to remove irregular edges so the edges fit properly.

Because boilers last a long time, boilermakers regularly maintain them and update components such as

burners and boiler tubes to increase efficiency. Boilermaker mechanics maintain and repair boilers and similar vessels. They inspect tubes, fittings, valves, controls, and auxiliary machinery and clean or supervise the cleaning of boilers. They repair or replace defective parts, using hand and power tools, gas torches and welding equipment, and may operate metalworking machinery to repair or make parts. They also dismantle leaky boilers, patch weak spots with metal stock, replace defective sections, or strengthen joints.

WAGE INFORMATION:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

Bricklayers and stonemasons work in closely related trades producing attractive, durable surfaces and structures. The work they perform varies in complexity, from laying a simple masonry walkway to installing the ornate exterior of a high-rise building. Bricklayers build walls, floors, partitions, fireplaces, chimneys, and other structures with brick, precast masonry panels, concrete block and other masonry materials. Some specialize in installing firebrick linings in industrial furnaces. Stonemasons build stone walls, as well as set stone exteriors and floors. They work with two types of stone - natural cut, such as marble, granite, and limestone and artificial stone made from concrete, marble chips or other masonry materials. Stonemasons usually work on structures such as houses, hotels and office buildings.

Bricklayers and stonemasons combine a thorough knowledge of brick, concrete block, stone and marble with manual skill to erect very attractive yet highly durable structures.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Must be at least age 18 years old; must be physically able to perform the work of the trade; must have a commitment of employment by an employer who is a signatory contractor to a bargaining agreement; and must have high school diploma or G.E.D.

Three year apprenticeship with a minimum of 4,500 hours of onthe- job training; apprentices receive a minimum of 144 hours of classroom instruction each year. Apprentices attend school two evenings a week from September - March of each year of the program.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Must be at least 18 years old; must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate; must be physically able to perform the work of the trade; applicants from Job Corps graduates (BAT Circular 74-5) shall be considered; $10 non-refundable administrative fee at time of application; and all applicants accepted into the apprenticeship program will be subject to a drug test at the expense of the J.A.T.C. for the first test. Applicants will be required to sign a scholarship agreement if accepted into the program. At the oral interview, the applicants must present birth certificate; must have valid driver’s license knowing he/she has reliable transportation; must be a legal resident of the United States; and must provide a high school transcript. The apprenticeship program is a three year program. A minimum of 144 classroom hours per year is required, along with 750 work hours per year.

WAGE INFORMATION:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

Cement Masons use concrete on many types of construction projects. Whether small jobs, such as patios and floors, huge dams or miles of roadway, cement masons place and finish concrete. They may also color concrete surfaces, expose aggregate (small stones) in walls and sidewalks, or fabricate concrete beams, columns and panels. In preparing a site for placing concrete, masons set the forms for holding the concrete to the desired pitch and depth and properly align them. They then direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it. Masons then guide a straightedge back and forth across the top of the forms to “screed,” or level, the freshly placed concrete.

Electricians install, connect, test, and maintain electrical systems for a variety of purposes, including climate control, security and communications. They also install and maintain the electronic controls for machines in business and industry. Electricians work with blueprints when they install electrical systems in factories, office buildings, homes and other structures. Blueprints indicate the location of circuits outlets, load centers, panel boards and other equipment. Electricians must follow the National Electric Code and comply with State and local building codes when they install these systems. In addition to wiring a building’s electrical system, electricians may install coaxial or fiber optic cable for computers and other telecommunications equipment. A growing number of electricians install telephone and computer wiring and equipment. They also may connect motors to electrical power and install electronic controls for industrial equipment.

Must live in the area covered by Local #34, IBEW, Peoria, Galesburg & Quincy Divisions; must be 18 years of age; must have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. certificate; high school transcript and/or copy of G.E.D. within 30 days of application; must have one year of Algebra with passing grade (no pre-algebra); and may submit college transcripts. An aptitude test will be given to qualified applicants. Applicants to be interviewed will be determined by the apprenticeship committee, based on previous work history, educational transcripts and the aptitude test score. Applicant must be physically able to do the work and not be color blind.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Must be at least 18 years old; must have a high school diploma or G.E.E. certificate; and must pass an aptitude test. The apprenticeship program runs four to five years. Generally, apprenticeships must complete a six-month probationary period. After completion, they work toward becoming fully qualified mechanics within four to five years. To be classified as a fully qualified mechanic, apprentices must pass a standard mechanics examination administered by the National Elevator Industry Educational Program.WORKING CONDITIONS: Elevator Constructors usually work indoors. They may work in cramped spaces or awkward positions. Hazards include falls, electrical shock, muscle strains and other injuries related to handling heavy equipment.

ABILITIES:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

Elevator Constructors or elevator mechanics assemble, install and replace elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walkways and similar equipment in new and old buildings. Once the equipment is in service, they maintain and repair it. They are also responsible for modernizing older equipment. In order to install, repair and maintain modern elevators, which are almost all electronically controlled, elevator constructors must have a thorough knowledge of electronics, electricity and hydraulics. Many elevators today are installed with microprocessors, which are programmed to constantly analyze traffic condition in order to dispatch elevators in the most efficient manner. With these computer controls, it is now possible to get the greatest amount of service with the least number of cars.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Must be 18 years old, must be a U.S. citizen (copy of birth certificate required) and live within a 50-mile radius of Peoria, must have a high school diploma (must present high school transcript) or G.E.D. equivalent; must have a valid driver’s license; and must pass a physical exam and drug test. The apprenticeship program runs for three years, two nights per week of classroom and shop instruction. Apprentices work at trade during normal working hours. Benefits include: health and welfare and pension.

WAGE INFORMATION:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

Iron Workers perform the following steel work: structural, ornamental, reinforcing, and machinery moving and rigging. Iron, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, precast concrete, brass, and bronze are important materials in buildings, bridges, and other structures. Structural and reinforcing iron workers fabricate, assemble and install these products. They also repair, renovate and maintain older buildings and structures such as steel mills, utility plants, automobile factories, highways and bridges. Iron workers must erect the steel frames and assemble the cranes and derricks that move structural steel, reinforcing bars, buckets of concrete, lumber, and other materials and equipment around the construction site. This equipment arrives at the construction site in sections. Iron workers then connect the sections and set the cables to do the hoisting. Structural iron workers begin to connect steel columns, beams and girders according to blueprints and instructions from supervisors and superintendents. Structural steel, reinforcing rods and ornamental iron general come to the construction site ready for erection. Reinforcing iron workers set the bars in the forms that hold concrete, following blueprints showing the location, size and number of reinforcing bars. They fasten the bars together by tying wire around them with pliers. When reinforcing floors, workers place blocks under the reinforcing bars to hold them off the deck.

Properly insulated buildings reduce energy consumption by keeping heat in during the winter and out in the summer. Refrigerated storage rooms, vats, tanks, vessels, boilers and steam and hot water pipes also are insulated to prevent the wasteful transfer of heat. Heat and frost insulators work with commercial and industrial insulation. They install insulation and soundproofing for heating, ventilation, steam generation, process piping and plumbing systems; remove hazardous waste; and clean duct systems.

Must be at least 18 years old; must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate; must be physically fit to work in the construction industry; must pass a drug test; must be a U.S. citizen or in the process of naturalization; must pass an aptitude test; and must pass a personal interview.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

Laborers provide much of the physically demanding labor at building, highway and heavy construction projects, tunnel and shaft excavations and demolition sites. In addition to assisting other trades workers, construction craft laborers clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations and clean up rubble and debris. They perform a variety of excavation, tunneling and pipe work, and work on their own on highly specialized tasks. The installation of utility pipe, for example, requires the set up and operation of laser guidance equipment for precise pipe elevation and placement. Tunnel and shaft projects require workers to be trained and experienced in the use of drilling equipment and explosives. Construction craft laborers operate jackhammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, buggies, skid steer loaders, “walk behind” ditchdiggers, small mechanical hoists, laser beam equipment, and surveying and measuring equipment. In addition to working on building and transportation projects, construction craft laborers work on other projects, such as hazardous waste cleanup and asbestos and lead abatement. In hazardous waste removal, they may: operate, maintain, and read monitoring devices; perform material and atmospheric sampling; build, clean, or maintain facilities for hazardous material removal and decontamination; and package and transport hazardous or radioactive materials.

Must be at least 18 years old; must present birth certificate; must be a legal resident of the United States; must have original Social Security card; must have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. certificate; must present high school transcript; must have valid driver’s license and reliable transportation; must be able to speak, write and read the English language; must pass drug screening; must pass a written test; must pass a physical exam; and must pass an aptitude test.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Must be at least 18 years old; must have high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate; must be a resident of the jurisdiction of the Local; and must be physically able to perform the work of an operating engineer. The apprenticeship program runs for four years with approximately 6,000 hours of on-the-job training. Apprentices must complete 240 classroom hours (80 hours of classroom instruction per year). Apprentices must receive 144 hours of related instruction, hands on and classroom, and they must pass three performance tests.

WAGE INFORMATION:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

Operating Engineers use machinery to move construction materials, earth, petroleum products, coal, grain, manufactured goods and other heavy materials. Generally, they move materials over short distances—around a construction site, factory, warehouse, or on, or off trucks and ships. Operators control equipment by moving levers or foot pedals, operating switches or turning dials. They may also set up and inspect equipment, make adjustments, and perform minor repairs. Operators are classified by the type of equipment they operate: crane and tower operators; excavation and loading machine operators; grader, dozer, and scraper operators; hoist and winch operators; industrial truck and tractor operators.

Must be at least 18 years old; must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate; must be a U.S. citizen or have filed for citizenship; must have a letter of ‘intent to hire’ from a prospective employer; must have reliable transportation; and must be physically fit to perform the job.

Painters apply paint, stain, varnish and other finishes to buildings and other structures. They choose the right paint or finish for the surface to be covered, taking into account customers’ wishes, durability, ease of handling and method of application. They first prepare the surfaces to be covered so the paint will adhere properly. This may require removing the old coat by stripping, sanding, wire brushing, burning or water and abrasive blasting. Painters also wash walls and trim to remove dirt and grease, fill nail holes and cracks, sandpaper rough spots and brush off dust. On new surfaces, they apply a primer or sealer to prepare them for the finish coat. Painters also mix paints and match colors, relying on knowledge of paint composition and color harmony. Paperhangers cover walls and ceilings with decorative wall coverings made of paper, vinyl or fabric. They first prepare the surface to be covered by applying “sizing,” which seals the surface and makes the covering stick better. When redecorating, they may first remove the old covering by soaking, steaming, or applying solvents. When necessary, they patch holes and take care of other imperfections before hanging the new wall covering.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Plasterers apply plaster to interior walls and ceilings to form fire-resistant and relatively soundproof surfaces. They also apply plaster to veneer over drywall to create smooth or textured abrasion-resistant finishes. They apply durable plasters such as polymer-based acrylic finishes and stucco to exterior surfaces, and they install prefabricated exterior insulation systems over existing walls for good insulation and interesting architectural effects. In addition, they cast ornamental designs in plaster. Must be at least 18 years old; must present birth certificate; must have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. certificate; must have valid driver’s licence and reliable transportation; must be a legal resident of the United States; and must be able to speak, read and write the English language.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Must be at least 18 years old; must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate; must show two pieces of identification; must pass a physical exam; must pass a drug test; must have reliable transportation; and must be able to speak, read, and write the English language. The apprenticeship program runs for four years with a minimum of 4,800 hours of on-the-job training. Apprentices attend 144 hours of classroom training during the first two years of the program. Classes are held on Saturdays during the winter months; 3rd and 4th year apprentices must participate in advanced training and special classes that are held on weekday evenings and Saturdays.

WAGE INFORMATION:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

To protect buildings and their contents, roofers repair and install roofs of tar or asphalt and gravel, rubber, thermoplastic and metal; and shingles made of asphalt, slate, fiberglass, wood, tile or other material. Repair and reroofing provide many job opportunities for these workers. Roofers also may waterproof foundation walls and floors. There are two types of roofs, flat and pitched (sloped). Most commercial, industrial and apartment buildings have flat or slightly sloping roofs. Most houses have pitched roofs. Some roofers work on both types, while others specialize.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Must be at least 18 years old; must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate; must pass a mechanical aptitude test, coordination, and personal interview; must have valid driver’s license and reliable transportation; must pass a drug screening; must reside in local union jurisdiction; and must be sponsored by a signatory contractor. The apprenticeship program lasts for five years. Apprentices work for a contractor full-time and attend classes two nights per week.

WAGE INFORMATION:

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

Sheet metal workers make, install and maintain air conditioning, heating, ventilation and pollution control duct systems, roofs, siding, rain gutters, downspouts, skylights, restaurant equipment, outdoor signs, and many other building parts and products made from metal sheets. They may also work with fiberglass and plastic materials. Although some workers specialize in fabrication, installation or maintenance, most do all three jobs. Sheet metal workers usually fabricate their products at a shop away from the construction site. They first study plans and specifications to determine the kind and quantity of materials they will need. They then measure, cut, bend, shape and fasten pieces of sheet metal to make duct work, counter tops, and other custom products. In an increasing number of shops, sheet metal workers use computerized metalworking equipment. This enables them to experiment with different layouts and to select the one that results in the least waste of material. They cut or form the parts with computer-controlled saws, lasers, shears and presses.

Plumbers and steamfitters install, maintain and repair many different types of pipe systems. For example, some systems move water to a municipal water treatment plant and then to residential, commercial and public buildings. Others dispose of waste. Some bring in gas for stoves and furnaces. Other supply air-conditioning. Pipe systems in power plants carry the steam that powers huge turbines. Pipes also are used in manufacturing plants to move material through the production process. Although plumbing and steamfitting are sometimes considered a single trade, workers generally specialize in one or the other. Plumbers install and repair the water, waste disposal, drainage and gas systems in homes and in commercial and industrial buildings. They also install plumbing fixtures. Steamfitters install and repair both high and low-pressure pipe systems that are used in manufacturing, in the generation of electricity, and in heating and cooling buildings. They also install automatic controls that are increasingly being used to regulate these systems. Sprinklerfitters install automatic fire sprinkler systems in buildings.

Must be at least 18 years old; must have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. certificate; must have a copy of transcripts; must have Social Security card; must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation; must pass a physical exam, a drug test, and an  aptitude test; and must show copy of a DD-214 (armed forces discharge), if applicable. Must be physically able to do the work. Applicant will have an oral interview.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM: