Program Entry & Advancement
Program Requirements | Program Entry | Stages and Wages | Previous Training and Experience
Program Requirements
To become an apprentice, you must meet the following requirements and expectations:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be physically able to perform the work of the trade
- Must have reliable transportation
- Must have a good attitude and be willing to learn
- Must understand the importance of punctuality and good attendance
- Must follow the rules and requirements as listed in our Student Handbook
- May be required to pass a drug test
Program Entry
If you meet the above requirements, there are three ways to enter the Apprenticeship program:
Local Labor Union
Contact one of the seven local labor unions of Michigan to fill out an Apprenticeship Agreement. Please visit our District Council website to locate a local labor union in your area.
Signatory contractor
If your employer is a signatory contractor, they may provide an Intent to Hire letter to our Apprenticeship Department requesting entry into the program.
Military members
If you are a military veteran or active service member, you have the benefit of Direct Entry into the apprenticeship program. Please contact the Apprenticeship Department for details.
Once we receive the proper paperwork, we will register you as an Apprentice with the U.S. Department of Labor and your Apprenticeship will officially begin. In doing so, you agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Standards of Apprenticeship.
stages and wages
Each apprentice must complete 4,000 hours of diverse work and 300 hours of related classroom and hands-on training in order to graduate from the program.
The Apprenticeship program is divided into four incremental stages. You must meet the requirements for both work hours and training hours in order to advance to the next stage. With each advancement, apprentices become eligible for a pay increase.
If you believe you are due for a stage increase, please contact the Apprenticeship Department as soon as possible.
previous training and experience
There are two ways to be granted credit towards your apprenticeship training and work hours: you may submit copies of previous training and/or experience to the Apprenticeship Department for review, or you may participate in an Advanced Placement test.
Military Transcripts
If you are a military veteran or active-duty service member, we suggest you submit the following transcripts to the Apprenticeship Department for review according to which military branch you serve or served:
Marines/Navy:
SMART Transcript
Army/National Guard
AART/VMET Transcript
Air Force:
CCAF Transcript
Advanced Placement Test
We offer an assessment that gauges the overall industry knowledge, as well as the math and safety skills of an apprentice. You may only take this test once over the course of your entire apprenticeship. It includes 120 questions on topics such as Safety and Health, Math and Measuring, Hand Tools, Construction Equipment and Materials, and Pneumatic Tools. Depending on your results, you may be credited up to 150 training hours and 2,000 work hours.
Request Review of Previous Experience and Training
Use this link to upload documentation of previous training and/or experience so that it may be reviewed for consideration. You will be contacted by the Apprenticeship Department once the review is complete.
Apply to Take the Advanced Placement Test
Use this link to apply for notification of the next available Advanced Placement test session. You will be contacted by the Apprenticeship Department once your application has been processed.