The USW Local #318 Apprenticeship Program provides a structured pathway to a rewarding career in construction trades across New Jersey and Delaware. This program is ideal for individuals who enjoy building, creating, and contributing to tangible projects while gaining valuable skills and credentials. Apprentices gain practical experience and technical knowledge through a combination of on-the-job training and book learning, preparing them for long-term success in their trade.
Program Structure
Apprenticeship includes two simultaneous and mandatory components:
- On-the-Job Training: Apprentices work alongside experienced journey-level tradespeople, developing practical skills, learning trade-specific techniques, and practicing safety on real construction projects. This hands-on experience ensures apprentices become confident and capable in their craft.
- Book Learning (Classroom Training): Classroom instruction is completed mostly online, covering essential topics, such as safety, technical theory, blueprint reading, and construction mathematics. Completion of both components is required to progress through each apprenticeship level.
Advancement and Pay
Apprentices advance through multiple levels as they complete training and gain experience. With each level, pay increases to match the apprentice’s growing expertise. Upon completing all levels, which generally takes two to four years depending on the craft, apprentices achieve journey person status, earning full wages and benefits associated with their trade.
Union Membership and Benefits
Apprentices become union members on day one, immediately receiving medical and pension benefits. The program offers high prevailing wages and the union’s outstanding “Cadillac plan” medical coverage, ensuring apprentices are well-supported while learning and growing in their careers.
Career Rewards and Opportunities
The program emphasizes the financial and professional benefits of a skilled trade career. Apprentices gain competitive wages, excellent benefits, and the skills necessary for long-term job security and advancement. The apprenticeship equips participants with credentials that are recognized across New Jersey, Delaware and beyond.
Who Should Apply
This program is perfect for individuals who enjoy working with their hands and seeing the results of their work in real projects. Apprentices leave the program with marketable skills, recognized credentials, and the satisfaction of contributing to visible infrastructure in their communities. It’s a career path that offers tangible outcomes, personal growth, and the opportunity to build a meaningful future.
Application Process
The USW Local #318 Apprenticeship Program is open to motivated individuals who want to build a career in the construction trades. Below is an overview of the application process, including key qualifications, essential requirements, and the steps candidates will follow from initial contact to placement.
Key Qualifications and Requirements
Before applying, candidates should ensure they meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Age: At least 18 years old.
- Education: High school diploma or GED.
- Driver’s License: Valid license required.
- Mobility: Willingness to travel to job sites throughout New Jersey and Delaware.
- Physical Ability: Capable of performing outdoor work in all weather conditions.
Step 1: Initial Contact and Application
The first step is to reach out to the apprenticeship program. Candidates can contact us by phone, text, or email and we’ll guide you through the process and answer questions. Specific intake dates are not listed, as applications are accepted on an as-needed basis.
Step 2: Qualifications
Applicants must confirm that they meet all minimum requirements listed above. Candidates who do not meet these criteria will not proceed to the next stages.
Step 3: Qualification Process
Qualified applicants move on to the evaluation phase, which includes:
- Aptitude Exams: Tests are administered to assess the candidate’s abilities and suitability for a trade.
- Interview: Each applicant participates in an interview to discuss experience, skills, and interest in the apprenticeship.
- Ranking: Candidates are ranked based on exam results, interview performance, and the specific trade they are applying for.
Step 4: Final Steps and Placement
Once ranked, applicants may be selected when a contractor in the multi-skilled fund requires an apprentice for a job. Before placement, selected applicants must complete pre-placement requirements, including:
- Drug Test: Ensuring safety and compliance for all job sites.
- Physical Examination: Confirming the applicant can meet the physical demands of the trade.
Once these steps are successfully completed, the apprentice begins on-the-job training and classroom instruction as part of the full USW Local #318 Apprenticeship Program.
