FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I apply?.
A: Make sure you meet the requirements:
• Must be a resident of the jurisdictional area. Not sure? Find out here (LINK)
• Must be at least 17 years of age. We do not discriminate against age, sex, religion, race, color or national origin.
• Must be able to pass Substance Abuse Test
Visit a training center or apply online:
Visit the nearest regional council office (LINK) and apply in person
• Indiana: 8am – 11am OR 1pm – 4pm
• Kentucky: 8am – 11am OR 1pm – 4pm
• Ohio: 9am – 12pm OR 1pm – 3pm
Ohio applicants can apply online:
• Northwest
• Northeast
• Southwest
• South Central
Bring with you:
• Current State or Government issued photo ID
• Copy of birth certificate (Ohio only)
• Military: copy of DD214
Q: Will continued training be available after I graduate?
A: Yes! Journeyman Enhancement classes are provided and you are encouraged to take them. Enhancement classes are available at no charge to the member.
By keeping your skills sharp and learning something new, you are considered a valuable tradesman to our Contractors.
Q: Is this an accredited program?
A: The Commercial Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Program is monitored and approved by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, United States Department of Labor.
Upon completion of the program, graduates receive a certificate from the USDOL recognized internationally.
Q: I heard I get a degree?
A: Graduates of the program will receive an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences from Ivy Tech (in Indiana and Kentucky), and Owens Community College (in Ohio).
Q: Does the apprenticeship program accept veterans?
A: Yes! We thank you for your service. Through our partnership with Helmets to Hardhats, which helps military service members successfully transition back into civilian life, we offer a means to secure a quality career in the construction industry. For more information, contact your nearest apprenticeship school.
Q: Will I receive benefits?
A: Benefits are paid by employers to provide health insurance, (including dental and vision), and typically start after an estimated 100-day qualifying period. Members are also offered a pension (retirement) plan and an annuity.
Q: Will I have an opportunity for advancement?
A: Yes! A journeyman has a variety of advancement options to pursue such as foreman, superintendent, project manager, safety lead, apprenticeship instructor, senior management/operations, and even CEO or owner.
Just like any career, you will get out of it what you put into it. Check out some of the advanced training the UBC offers.
Q: How much will I get paid?
A: Members are paid a standard wage depending upon the area in which he/she works.
Each area – similar to city limits, but can vary – has a negotiated agreement with contractors in that area on what journeymen are paid. Prior to working in each area, members may ask what the wage agreement is in that area.
These agreements are updated between every six months to three years, to ensure a living standard is met.
Q: How do I find work?
A: Job placement assistance is provided. An ‘out of work’ list is available to those who are in between jobs and may be contacted if an opportunity becomes available matching his/her qualifications.
Robo calls (automated message) are made to those in a particular Local and matching qualifications, as a dispatch system, if interested in working in another area.
Members are also permitted to solicit his/her own work by calling on signatory contractors.
Q: How much does the apprenticeship cost?
A: The only costs incurred by the apprentice are the purchase of required hand tools, classroom books, and pay union dues. Instructors will share what are the expected hand tools. Books are an estimated $100 per year. Union dues are paid quarterly. Apprentices are not required to pay tuition to attend school.
Q: Do I have to decide which trade I should enroll into right away?
A: Not right away. The best way to get an idea of what you may be interested in is to take a tour of the closest training center and learn more about the tools, training, and jobsite settings. Brochures are available at each location and can help give you an idea of the type of work each trade entails. Local representatives are also available to answer questions about each specific trade.
Q: What if I already have carpentry experience?
A: Contact your nearest council hub office and ask to talk to a representative to schedule an interview.
Q: What if I don’t know anything about carpentry?
A: There is not a requirement to know carpentry to enter the program. Training is three fold, in the classroom, in the work shop, and on the job.
Q: How does the apprenticeship program work?
A:
• Once admitted, the applicant must attend one week (40 hours) of training class every three months for a total of 160 hours per year. In addition, an additional Ivy Tech course each year is also required.
• The applicant must work a minimum of 650 hours every six months or 1300 hours per year, for a union contractor in order to earn his/her advancements through apprenticeship training to earn journeyman status.
• Failure to attend the required training classes or to maintain sufficient work days will delay the six-month to a year pay increases.
• On the job, apprentices work with journeymen to apply classroom and workshop skills.
• Upon successful completion of the four-year apprenticeship training, the apprentice is advanced to Journeyman carpenter, millwright, or floor coverer status.
• Learning a trade is learning skills for life!
P: ¿Qué debo hacer si me despiden?
A. If you are laid off immediately contact your business representative & get on the out-of-work list.
Call 888-875-9819 to get on the out-of-work-list.
If you are unable to work during this time due to illness concerns or a lack of work due to COVID-19, you may qualify for unemployment under state orders.
Click your state below for more information on unemployment:
P: ¿Cómo puedo mantenerme seguro en el lugar de trabajo?
A. You can stay safe by washing your hands frequently or using hand sanitizer. Try your best to maintain a safe distance from other people. Take your temperature before going to work and stay home if you feel sick. If you have any concerns about your particular job site, please contact your business representative.
Here are some more recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control on staying safe:
P: ¿Siguen abiertas las oficinas del concilio?
A. Council and local offices remain open to service members and man jobs, however, we encourage members not to visit in person. Instead, contact the locals and council via phone, email, website or on our social media channels.
P: ¿Están abiertos los centros de capacitación?
A. In an effort to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), all training centers in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio will be closed until May 4th, 2020. Training instructors & admins will reach out to apprentices directly to reschedule classes.
P: ¿Se ofrecerá alguna capacitación por internet?
A. Yes. Currently, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and the Carpenters International Training Fund are offering eligible members the opportunity to take Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) and COVID-19 classes online. Read more here: UBC Offers Online Courses
Q: How do I register for ICRA & COVID-19 training online?
A.
• Go to https://www.carpenters.org/
• In the upper right corner, hover over “resource hub”. There will be a dropdown.
• Click on “For Our Members”.
• Scroll down to the brown section and click on “Access to the CITF Online Learning Center” to expand the box.
• Click on “Click Here” to register for classes online.
• That should take you to a login page. Create an account if you don’t already have one.
• Sign in with your email in lowercase.
• Go to “dashboard” and click on the class that you would like to take. Complete the modules and answer the questions.
Additional Tips:
• If you are struggling with the UBC’s sign-in process, contact us at website@ikorcc.com or call your local’s admin.
• After you have your email address straightened out, if you get stuck in a sign-in loop, close your internet browser. Reopen the browser and try to sign-in again.
• If you still have trouble, contact a business agent or your local hub.
P: ¿Qué es la Ley de respuesta al coronavirus de Families First (FFCRA)?
A. On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law in the United States, and it gives new benefits to many workers whose families have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. You can read more about what this means for UBC members here: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Summary
Q: What is the CARES Act & how does it help me?
A. This law will spend $2 trillion from the federal treasury to help Americans get through the current crisis. Here are some details about several of the provisions that may be of interest to UBC members.
• Direct payments to American workers — U.S. residents whose adjusted gross income is less than $75,000 or married couples making less than $150,000 will receive $1,200 per adult and $500 per child. Income limits change with number of children, and the amount decreases if you exceed the income limit. The IRS is saying that most people will receive these payments automatically, beginning in the next three weeks. For more information, check here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know
• Unemployment Insurance enhancements — Laid-off workers will receive an increase of $600 per week in their benefits. This could last for up to four months, but not past July 31, 2020. Through 2020, members will be eligible to receive unemployment for an additional 13 weeks before it is exhausted. Many states have waived the waiting week, and are making other changes that could be helpful. Unemployment Insurance is run by each state, so your situation will depend on where you live. Check here for more information or to look up your state’s page: https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/find-unemployment-benefits.aspx
• Mortgage Relief — Borrowers with federally-backed mortgages (FHA, VA) or mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac would suspend mortgage payments for an initial 180 days (and possibly get a subsequent 180 day extension) without accruing additional fees or interest by attesting they are having financial hardship due to the coronavirus.
• Penalty waived for access to retirement plans — This new law temporarily waives the 10% IRS penalty for accessing some retirement plans, including 401Ks and annuity plans. Coronavirus impacted individuals with retirement plan loans due by December 31, 2020 would have an extra year to repay them.
• REAL ID extension — The implementation of REAL ID has been pushed back for a full year and will now take effect on October 1, 2021.
Q: Have there been any health & welfare changes?
A. Yes. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several changes have been made to health & welfare plans in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio to help members during this time. Read the full changes here: Health & Welfare Updates
P: ¿Puedo ver a un médico desde casa?
A. Yes! You can still utilize the livehealthonline.com service from home during this time. Available 24/7, 365 days a year. LiveHealth Online is included with your union health coverage. LiveHealth Online uses two-way video to connect you with U.S.-based board-certified doctors. And since it’s an online experience, it’s quick, easy and always on your terms. And convenience also comes with excellent service. Doctors using LiveHealth Online can answer your questions, assess your condition and even provide prescriptions* if needed.
Use LiveHealth Online if you are experiencing any of the following:
• Cold and flu symptoms such as a cough, fever or headache.
• Allergies
• Sinus Infections
• Headache/Migraine
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Rashes/Skin disturbances
• Sore throat/pharyngitis
• And much more!