For any Apprenticeship questions, please call 907-562-2890.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

ENROLLMENT INTO THE APPRENTICESHIP IS CLOSED AT THIS TIME. THE NEXT ENROLLMENT PERIOD IS TBD.

Testing requirements before an application will be issued:

You must pass 3 tests at WorkKeys before you can pick up an application. The tests and minimum scores are the following:

  • Reading for Information – score 4
  • Locating Information – score 4
  • Applied Mathematics – score 5

Tests can be taken at any of the job centers in Alaska. There is no charge for the tests.

General information

1. Training is offered in the following areas of Residential and Commercial

A. Plumbing
B. Pipe Fitting 
C. Welding 
D. Heating 
E. Additional classes and courses are available and, if completed, are at no charge to the apprentice.

2. The Program offers classroom and on-the-job training

A. The training program is a 10,000 hour program of on-the-job training (5+ years).
B. The apprentice is paid while working, with raises of 10% given upon satisfactory completion of 12 months and 2,000 hours of work.  
C. Classroom and shop training is a mandatory 6 weeks each year. (You are not paid while attending class. If qualified, you can collect unemployment).
D. You will work with and will be trained by expert experienced journeymen, who have extensive field experience in today’s Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry.

3. Excellent Wages

A new apprentice’s starting wage is $20.50 per hour for most jobs. These wages may vary depending on the type and location of the job. There are other jobs and residential work that may pay less. (These wages do not reflect the fees deducted from your gross wages and can be changed at any time due to contract negotiations).

4. Excellent Benefits

A. Three pension plans: Alaska, National and 401K.  
B. Provided the eligibility requirements are met, there is family coverage for Medical, Dental and Vision available. The member also has Life Insurance benefits.

5. Cost of Training

The cost of training is paid by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), comprised of the Union and Union Contractors, as a part of each member’s fringe packet. If the Scholarship Agreement is not breached by the apprentice, there are no scholarship fees. There are some fees for books and licenses.

6. Minimum Requirements to Qualify For and Apply for an Application

A. Must be 18 years of age or older
B. Must have either a High School Diploma, GED or a 2 year minimum Secondary/College Degree
C. Valid Alaska Driver’s License
D. NO DUI or DWI on your driving record in the last 3 years from application closing date
E. I-9 Employment Verification Documentation
F. WorkKeys tests

7. Drug and Alcohol Testing

A drug and alcohol test must be passed once you have completed the interview process and if you are offered a position in the Apprenticeship Program. Also, random drug and alcohol testing will be conducted while enrolled in the Apprenticeship Program. Failure to comply with the testing, or a failed test, can result in expulsion from the program.

8. Application

When you submit the application, you will be required to attach the following documents:

A. WorkKeys Test Scores 
B. Valid Alaska Driver’s License 
C. 3 Year Alaska Driving Record 
D. High School Transcripts for 10th thru 12th grades OR GED Scores OR a 2 Year Secondary/College transcript 
E. Documents required on the I-9 Form

If you have not driven in Alaska for the last 3 years, you will need to include out of state driving record(s) to equal the 3 years. The High School Transcripts OR GED Scores OR Secondary/College transcripts MUST BE SIGNED by an authorized school official.

9. Affirmative Action Statement

The recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices during their term of training, shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. The JATC will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in training and will operate Apprenticeship Program as required under Title 29, CFR, Part 30, as amended.