FAQs

A labor works on heavy construction projects that include roads, bridges, utilities, building, schools, shopping centers, etc.

Yes, laborers will be required to handle heavy materials including concrete and masonry, work with hand tools including shovels and wheel barrows and work with power tools such as jack hammers and utility saws.

On heavy highway sites a laborer will install all types of pipes, handle and place concrete, lay asphalt, install utilities, control traffic and perform environmental remediation. On building sites, laborers install scaffolding, handle and place concrete, tend masons, do demolition and perform environmental remediation.

No, unfortunately construction work is controlled by many factors such as the weather and economic conditions. This means that laborers are constantly being laid off and move from site to site.

When a apprentice is laid off, they report back to their local Union Hall where their name is placed on the bottom of the out of work list. As other apprentices are dispatched out to work, your name will move up the list until you are dispatched out again.

There is no such thing as an average job. Every job site is different and the length of time is different. You may be dispatched to a job for one day or remain on the job for months.

Laborers often travel distances of up to 100 miles for work. It is important for laborers to maintain their driver’s license and their vehicles.

The apprentice program requires the apprentice to complete 4000 hours of on the job training (work) and an additional 400 hours of class time. Due to weather and job conditions, it may take approximately 3 years for an apprentice to complete the program.

An apprentice receives 60 percent of the journey workers rate when they begin the program. For every 1000 hours of on the job training and 80 hour class they complete, they will step up 10 percent of the journey workers rate.

Yes, after required hours by your local union apprentices receive benefits such as medical and pension, paid by the contractor for the hours of work they perform.

Yes, the purpose of the apprentice program is to provide classroom and on the job training for unskilled workers.

Yes, you will be required to provide documentation such as pay stubs and contractor letters. This information will be evaluated by the apprentice program to see if you qualify for advanced placement.

The Apprentice Program represents all construction Laborers Unions in the state of New Jersey.

We are presently only accepting applications online.
Click here to apply

Not to apply, but there are some project owners and employers who require proof of vaccination. Failure to provide proof could affect your employment opportunities.

You must be at least 18 years of age, and possess a valid and current driver’s license.

You must possess a valid and current driver’s license in order to complete an application. If you temporarily lost your license you must wait until you get it back.

The Apprentice Program is regulated by the Federal and State Government. Applicants will have two years from the final selection process to be contacted to participate in the program.

Once the Apprentice Program establishes that they can begin a new process, we will notify all applicants by email of a two hour orientation class. Applicants that attend the orientation class will be scheduled for a work keys math and reading assessment test. Applicants that attend the work keys assessment test will be scheduled for an interview. Applicants will receive a score for their test and interview. Applicants that score over 70 will be considered to take a two week pre-apprentice (General Construction) class and be drug tested. Upon successful completion of the class and drug test, applicants will be referred to a Local Labors Union and be made available for work.

Your name will be removed from the program and you will have to re-apply.

The two work keys assessments will cost you $24.00. The drug test will cost you $50.00. There will be no further cost till you are initiated into a Local Union.

If you haven’t done much math or reading recently, you may want to refresh yourself.

First, you must be patient. Everyone that applies, and is qualified will be sent a notice by mail to start with the orientation class. If you are successful with the work keys assessment test, interview, drug test and two week pre-apprentice class (Gen-Con) you will be given an opportunity for work. What you make of that opportunity is up to you.

The entire process will be explained in detail with an opportunity for questions at the orientation class.