Apprenticeships
An apprentice is a paid worker who is enrolled in a special training program administered by an employer together with a labor organization or trade association. Most apprentices work in trades related to construction. Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) provides information on apprenticeship programs in the construction industry and those that are affiliated with a Union.
Becoming a registered business with the IDES Apprenticeship Information Center builds and strengthens your business by ensuring that the correct training is provided for your future workforce.
For more information on becoming a registered business, contact the local IDES office nearest you.
Apprenticeships offer:
Many growing job opportunities: During the next 10 to 15 years, the number of construction-related jobs in Illinois is expected to grow at a very healthy pace.
Good wages: Apprentices earn about half the going trade person’s wage to start. Pay is gradually increased over the length of the apprenticeship, until training is completed and the trainee graduates to full trade person status.
Long-term, on-the-job training: Most apprenticeships take three to five years to complete. The typical program includes 2,000 hours of on-the-job training plus at least 144 hours per year of related classroom instruction.
You can print the apprenticeship application, complete it, and use the office locator to submit an application and find out more or;
Click on any of the types of apprenticeships below to learn more. Search Illinois “Trade” Local to Find those Locals closest to our area. Useful Link: IllinoisAppenticeships.JOBS
| Apprenticeship | Description |
| Architectural Iron Worker | Perform field fabrication & production and install iron works that are not part of a structural frame. |
| Boilermaker | Works with boilers and vats. |
| Brick & Stone Mason | Lay brick and stone using tools such as a trowel, level, and brick hammer. |
| Bricklayer (Carol Stream) | Installs brick, block, stone, marble, granite, and various other clay, concrete, or natural materials. |
| Bricklayer (Chicago) | Installs brick, block, stone, marble, granite, and various other clay, concrete, or natural materials. |
| Bricklayer (Elgin) | Installs brick, block, stone, marble, granite, and various other clay, concrete, or natural materials. |
| Bricklayer (Westmont) | Installs brick, block, stone, marble, granite, and various other clay, concrete, or natural materials. |
| Carpentry | Offers a choice of a number of specialties including: construction, mill-cabinet, flooring, millwright, pile-driver, interior systems, and lather. |
| Cement Mason (Bellwood) | Lays and finishes concrete using hand and power tools. |
| Cement Mason (McHenry) | Lays and finishes concrete using hand and power tools. |
| Cement Mason (Villa Park) | Lays and finishes concrete using hand and power tools. |
| Ceramic Tile Layer | Install ceramic, mosaic, quarry, marble tile, and decorative tiles. |
| Construction Driver | Hauls and unloads material and equipment to and from construction job sites. |
| Drywall Finisher | Prepares drywall surfaces for painting and papering. |
| Electrician (Alsip) | Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus. |
| Electrician (Aurora) | Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus. |
| Electrician (Elgin) | Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus. |
| Electrician (Joliet) | Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus. |
| Electrician (Libertyville) | Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus. |
| Electrician (Lisle) | Installs and maintains electrical wiring and apparatus. |
| Glazier | Installs metal framing, glass reflective panels, door glass, mirrors, and plexiglass in residential, commercial, and industrial Buildings. |
| Heat & Frost Insulator | Work with commercial and industrial insulation. |
| Iron Worker (Aurora) | Perform structural, ornamental, reinforcing and machinery moving and rigging. |
| Iron Worker (Kankakee) | Perform structural, ornamental, reinforcing and machinery moving and rigging. |
| Iron Worker (Rockford) | Perform structural, ornamental, reinforcing and machinery moving and rigging. |
| Laborer/Construction | Perform a variety of manual tasks using a number of types of tools & machinery. |
| Non-Union Apprenticeship Programs | Non-Union Apprenticeship Programs |
| Operating Engineer | Runs heavy equipment like bulldozers, power shovels, graders and derricks. |
| Painter/Decorator | Applies paint and paper to outdoor and indoor walls |
| Painter/Drywall Finisher | Applies coats of paint, varnish, staining, enamel, or lacquer to decorate and protect interior or exterior surfaces, trimmings, and fixtures of buildings and other structures. |
| Pattern Maker | Makes metal foundry patterns, core boxes and match plates. |
| Pipe Fitter | Installs and repairs low-and high-pressure pipe systems. |
| Plasterer | Applies plaster to interior walls and ceiling |
| Plumber & Pipefitters (Aurora) | Plan, ready, install, and maintain water supplies, sewers, drains, and water and vent piping. |
| Plumber & Pipefitters (Joliet) | Plan, ready, install, and maintain water supplies, sewers, drains, and water and vent piping. |
| Plumber (Chicago) | Installs and maintains pipe and water systems. |
| Plumber (Waukegan) | Installs and maintains pipe and water systems. |
| Roofer & Waterproofer | User a wide range of products and application techniques for applying hot asphalt, hot coal, tar pitch, etc… |
| Sheet Metal Worker (Bellwood) | Works with sheet metal products such as ventilation units. |
| Sheet Metal Worker (Carol Stream) | Works with sheet metal products such as ventilation units. |
| Sign Painters | Requires knowledge of sign painting tools, materials and equipment. |
| Sprinkler Fitter | Installs fire-protection and irrigation systems |
| Structural Iron Worker | Assembles, installs and maintains iron and steel structures. |
| Technical Engineer | Perform control, preliminary & construction surveys. |
| Tile Finisher | Clean, grout, and polish tile and other installed materials. |
| Tool and Die | Produce tools, dies, and special guiding and holding devices that are used in machines that produce a variety of products. |
| Tuckpointer | Erects scaffolding, shoring and braces, and seals outside surfaces |
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training establishes guidelines, procedures, and standards and assists employers in the development of apprenticeship programs.
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ABC of Iowa Apprenticeship and Training Trust is Iowa’s leader in industry education. The apprenticeship training program is registered with the United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship as well as the Veterans Administration (VA). At the state level, the program is recognized by the Iowa Electrical Examining Board (IEEB) and the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (IPMSB). Graduates of the ABC of Iowa Apprenticeship and Training Trust apprenticeship program are armed with the experience, knowledge, and confidence to pass the state’s licensing exams. The apprenticeship program utilizes the Contren® Learning Series and Contren® Connect on-line learning from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and their printing partner Pearson.
CURRENT PROGRAMS
ELECTRICAL
HVAC
PLUMBING
SHEET METAL
PROGRAM BROCHURES
PROGRAM OUTLINES
ABC of Iowa Apprenticeship and Training Trust has access to curriculum for over 30 trades. If the trade you need is not listed above, contact Tom Fulcher, Education Director.