Apprenticeships

Even in today's uncertain economy, highly trained workers are always in demand. Highly skilled workers command higher pay and better benefits than unskilled workers. Highly skilled workers are safer on the job and have fewer job-related accidents than do unskilled workers. Trained workers also benefit employers, who can finish projects faster, better, and more safely with skilled workers.

Our union is committed to meeting the demands of employers for a productive, skilled workforce by providing unsurpassed training and education opportunities for all IUPAT members. IUPAT, DC 7 offers education and training programs that make our members the most knowledgeable and accomplished craft workers in North America.

IUPAT, DC 7's Joint Apprenticeship Trust Fund is governed by a board of trustees consisting of members of the IUPAT and the union's signatory employers

On the job training in the following crafts are available through District Council No. 7 's formal state indentured apprenticeship programs in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training Standards.

PAINTING & DECORATING

The painting aspect of our craft is very diverse. Many different materials and techniques must be learned to be proficient in this area of our craft. Paint may be brushed, rolled and sprayed in many different ways and under many different conditions.

GLAZING & GLASS WORK

Glazing is the manufacture and installation of the frames and curtain wall that hold glass and the installation of the glass itself. As a glazier, you would also install the knobs, panic bars, and other hardware on glass doors. Welding and glass cutting is also taught in apprentice classes. Glaziers install all glass from mirrors in bathrooms to the exterior of glass high-rise skyscrapers and everything in between.

DRYWALL TAPING & FINISHING

Some people call this area of our craft "taping" but it is correctly termed drywall finishing. This process involves filling the joints between drywall wallboards. When accomplished correctly, the wall or ceiling will appear to be one continuous surface instead of many pieces of wallboard butted together. The work is performed with knives or trowels utilizing semi-liquid joint compound.

Our programs are structured that “you earn while you learn", and the apprentice actually gets a paycheck. The pay usually starts at around 50% of the journeyworker's hourly wage. This is designed to allow a cost-effective method of passing on the skills of the trade. It must be remembered that not only is the beginning apprentice not capable of profitable production rates but the journeyperson must also sacrifice production time to demonstrate proper procedures to his/her trainee.

Over the course of the period of apprenticeship, the apprentice will receive increases in the percentages of journeyperson rate. This is commonly based on specific time periods. For example, the drywall finisher's apprenticeship program is a three-year period. The apprentice receives 50% of the journeyperson pay rate plus benefits for the first period of so many hours (usually 780 to 1,560 depending on the trade) such as health insurance. Each additional time period merits the apprentice a pay step increase. If the journeyperson gets a pay increase, the apprentice receives the proper percentage of the increase. The glazer's program is slightly different but it operates in a similar fashion.

All apprentices must also receive classroom training that is related to the painting, drywall finishing, or glazing trades. Painter apprentices currently complete 3 semesters of day school attending one day per week. Drywall apprentices have similar classroom training while our glazing apprentices satisfy their classroom instruction through block training. Actually each program in each of our areas varies slightly, so you will need to check with the office in your area. Apprentices are paid for the time spent in day school classroom training. There are some evening school classes that our apprentices attend on their own time. The remainders of the workweeks are spent working on jobsites and the apprentice gets practical application time and teaching from the journeyworkers on the job.

Interested in becoming an Apprentice?

Personal information you provide may be used for secondary purposes [Privacy Law, s. 15.04(1)(m)]. The provision of your social security number is mandatory under Wisconsin Statutes. You must submit your social security number along with the other requested documents at the end of this form. If you do not provide your social security number, your application will be denied.

Your Information

Trade * First Name * Middle Name * Last Name * Street Address * City * State * ZIP *

Date of Birth * Home Phone * Cell Phone Email Address *

Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership

Have you had any contact with WRTP/Big Step? Yes No

EEOC Supplemental Information

The information provided below is simply for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) purposes. This information will assist us in our efforts to provide accurate information in compliance with EEOC regulations and requirements.

Race (check all that apply) White Black Asian American Indian or Alaskan Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

Ethnic Group Not Hispanic or Latino Origin Hispanic or Latino Gender Male Female

Voluntary Disability Disclosure

The information requested on this form is voluntary and gathered for compliance with state and federal affirmative action regulations governing registered apprenticeship programs [Wis. Admin. Code § DWD 296.11 and Code of Federal Regulations Title 29 Part 30.11]. The information you provide will be utilized by your program sponsor and state and federal apprenticeship staff for program administration, but may also be used for reporting purposes [Privacy Law, s. 15.04(1)(m), Wis. Stats].

Select One Yes, I have a disability (or previously had a disability)
No, I don't have a disability
I don't wish to answer

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

It is unlawful for a sponsor of a registered apprenticeship program to discriminate against an apprentice or applicant on the basis of disability. However, because of your status as an apprentice or apprentice applicant, you are being given the opportunity to disclose if you have a disability, or ever had a disability. This form is used to evaluate the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in registered apprenticeship programs. Because disability status may change or a person may wish to update their previous status, the opportunity to disclose a disability is given during the application process, at the time of registration as an apprentice, and on an annual basis during the apprenticeship. There is no penalty for disclosing a disability now that you previously did not disclose.

How do I know if I have a disability?

You may be considered to have a disability if you have a physical or mental impairment or medical condition that makes achievement unusually difficult, limits your ability to work, substantially limits a major life activity, or if you have a history or record of such an impairment or medical condition. Disabilities include, but are not limited to: blindness, deafness, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, autism, cerebral palsy, HIV/AIDS, schizophrenia, muscular dystrophy, bipolar disorder, major depression, multiple sclerosis (MS), missing limbs or partially missing limbs, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder, impairments requiring the use of a wheelchair or intellectual disability.

Important

Once your application is submitted, please look for an email from the Apprenticeship office with further information and instructions (within 2 business days).

Note: IUPAT DC 7 Apprenticeship Training & Trust Fund will not discriminate against applicants or apprentices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, arrest or conviction record, membership in the armed forces, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older.

We will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and operate the apprenticeship program as required under 29 CFR part 30 and the equal employment opportunity rules of the state of Wisconsin.