Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship training is both an ancient tradition and a highly effective modern training method, particularly for those choosing to work in the exciting and technical HVACR service industry. The United Association has the first nationally registered joint apprenticeship program in the United States, dating back to 1936 over 60 years ago! Individuals who enter a United Association five-year apprenticeship program are part of a select group of men and women motivated to learn a complex and challenging trade while upholding the ideals of trade unionism. Applicants are evaluated on the same fair basis, without regard to race, sex, national origin or religious affiliation. UA apprentices learn through both classroom and on-the-job training in what is considered by many to be the best construction industry apprentice program in the world. One of the things that makes the UA training programs so successful is that it is a joint partnership between labor and management.
The five-year apprenticeship period is divided into one year segments, each of which includes a minimum of 1,800 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 200 hours of related classroom instruction.
UANJ apprentices attend school for classroom, computer and shop instruction for a full eight hour day every two weeks, and work for a signatory HVACR contractor for on-the-job training the other nine days. There's over 160 Union HVACR Contractors in the UANJ jurisdiction. The UANJ Apprentice will work on-the-job under the guidance of Journeyworker on real Installation and Service jobs. The Training program is not easy. UANJ Apprentices must learn Math, Physics, Electrical Troubleshooting and Computer Literacy in addition to mechanical concepts and procedures. UANJ apprentices must work long sometimes irregular hours the same as journeymen plus attend classes. Yet, this can be a highly rewarding career path for an individual who is motivated to learn the HVACR trade and become an active member of a proud and noble trade union.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications for our five-year apprenticeship are available once each year. Each of our member local unions gets the same allotment of applications. The applications are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the application time-period has been announced we will post it on our website.
REQUIREMENTS: A COPY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENCY (GED), COPY OF HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT AND 3 LETTERS OF REFERENCE, COPY OF DRIVERS LICENSE must be presented to receive an application. (Prior applicants must resubmit the above documents). You must be 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license without major infractions. Successful applicants will be required to pass a drug screening. Veterans please include a copy of your DD-214.
Workkeys Tests: Applicants will be required to complete the Workkeys Test which examines the skill level for Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information. Practice exams can be found at: www.act.org/workkeys
NON DISCRIMINATION: The Refrigeration Division Education Fund, in the conduct of the Edward R. Gehm Training Center at 7 Crown Plaza, Hazlet, NJ 07730, admits students of any sex, race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students. The school does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies and school administered programs.
