A labor union is a group of workers with related skills
who organize to protect their wages and rights. Unions began hundreds of
years ago in Europe when craftsmen got together and formed trade guilds to
set prices, establish standards and train new craftsmen. When settlers came
to America they brought this tradition with them. After many hard battles
unions finally flourished in the first half of the 20th century.
Today, unions elect representatives who negotiate with employers to determine collective bargaining agreements. Included in these agreements are wages, health care benefits, pensions and annuities. Agreements also allow for the training of new workers and craftspeople. Those who are undergoing training in a skill or trade are called apprentices.
Apprenticeships are one of the benefits of a strong labor movement.
They offer the opportunity for a secure and well-paid career in the building trades. The tradition of apprenticeships allows new workers to get paid while going to school, and to get hands-on-training at the job of their choice.
This site offers basic information on 29 building trades that offer apprenticeships through 14 unions in the Philadelphia area. They are listed alphabetically - first by job, then by union.
The various jobs cover almost every aspect of the building process, and all are equally important. The training takes place in some of the most modern instructional facilities anywhere. The instructors are all experienced professionals in their specialties.
If you are accepted into an Apprenticeship Program, you will be employed by a union contractor. When you are not in class, you will receive on-the-job training.
To Learn More
To learn more about an apprenticeship program in a particular trade, follow this two-step process.
STEP 1: Find the jobs or skills you are interested in. Next to each job or skill you will see the name of a local union.
STEP 2: Each union has an address and phone number. These listings will lead you to information on their apprenticeship programs where you will learn about qualification requirements and how much schooling you will need. You will also find out how long the training will take, about wages and benefits, and how to apply for an apprenticeship.
The listings also include a brief job description for each trade included in the union. The phone numbers will help you find out more. This information can help you decide which job you find most interesting and are best suited for. You can also access information through PACA's website at www.apprentice.org.
37th Annual CBTU
National Convention
St. Louis, Mo
