General Apprentice Information

The Apprentice Training Program is a program wherein the apprentice is given the opportunity to earn while learning a trade. The Apprentice receives school training as well as on the job training for four years before graduating and becoming a Journeyman.

Apprentices are required to attend school one day every other week, in a daytime program and are paid by their contractor/employer while they are attending school.

PAY & BENEFITS

Apprentices start out at 45% of our Journeyman wage package which is $15.48 per hour, plus $10.16 in fringe benefits. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Local 25 Journeyman Sheet Metal Workers currently earn $34.37 per hour plus $21.20 in fringe benefits for a total package of $55.57 per hour.

The work week consists of 40 hours; any work in excess of 8 hours per day and Saturday is paid at the rate of time and one-half, Sundays and holidays are paid at double time. There is a vacation fund included in the wage structure. There are no paid holidays.

Apprentices are required to attend 160 hours per year of related instruction for four years, provided by the Joint Apprentice Committee, in a daytime program located at the J.A.C. Training Center at 440 Barell Ave., Carlstadt, NJ. Apprentices are paid by their contractor/employer while they are attending school. Fringe benefit contributions are made by the employer on behalf of apprentices to the following funds:

• Vacation Fund
• Health & Welfare Fund
• Pension Fund
• Annuity Fund
• SASMI
• Education Fund
• Local & National Industry Fund
• National Training Fund
• National Asbestos Fund

After the first year and every twelve (12) months thereafter, upon successful completion of a term, apprentices are advanced a term and receive a 10% pay raise.

Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union 25 maintains jurisdiction over the work being performed in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Essex and Union Counties in Northern New Jersey.

For more information on apprenticeship programs, contact John Sowell, Apprentice & Training Coordinator.