trade Unions

Local 841 Website 

Inquiry Form for an application

Oakwood, IL

Phone: 217-354-4858

Basic Qualifications for Apprenticeship

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Must be physically fit for the work of the trade as determined by a doctor’s examination

• Must be an American citizen; possession of first papers will be accepted temporarily while allowing sufficient time to attain citizenship papers

• Must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. Equivalency Certificate

• Must take an aptitude test administered by the Local Employment Service

• Must be willing to submit to a drug test

• Must have a valid driver’s license

• Must reside in the jurisdiction of Local 841

Additional Desirable Attributes:

• A good work ethic and responsible attitude

• Interest in working outdoors

• Ability to work construction hours (If you have children, reliable and flexible childcare is essential)

• Willingness to be out of work during seasonal down time

• The ability to work for many different employers during your career

Operating Engineers Local 841 operates a Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) approved program that includes classroom instruction, hands-on instruction and on-the-job training. Local 841 believes that comprehensive, uniform training for its members will provide a work force that is both productive and safe, benefiting the members, the contractors and the public.
Apprentices are carefully selected and trained in the most current technology and safety protocols available.

There is a minimum of 144 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction given to the apprentices each year. An apprentice will be required to spend 6,000 hours on the job under direction, performing the required employment. During this period of training, the apprentice will not receive the full journeymen scale of wages, but a rate that is determined by the Joint Apprenticeship Committee and negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement. Upon completion of 6,000 hours, if qualified, the apprentice will then receive the full journeymen rate.

Local 8 Website

Application

Effingham, IL

Field Representative: Tom McGinnis

Phone: 217-369-9987

Application Requirements

1. The applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, and shall submit a copy of his/her birth certificate.

2. The applicant must have a high school graduate or recipient of a GED certificate.

3. The applicant must submit a copy of his/her diploma (or other acceptable proof thereof), or, if applicable, his/her GED certificate.

4. The applicant must be a resident of one of the counties covered by the jurisdiction of the Union.

5. The applicant must have a valid Illinois driver's license.

6. The applicant must complete the application form, including his/her agreement to comply with the JATC's rules and regulations.

Local 146 Website

Link to Apprenticeship Informational Handout

Decatur, IL 

Phone: 217-887-4604

Training Director: Jason Drake

Email: jason@metc146.com

(Have an Effingham Satellite Office)

Local #243 Website

Local Representative: Pete Koester 

Email: pkoester@carpentersunion.org

Office: 217-356-5463

An apprentice is someone who is learning a trade by working under the guidance of skilled journeymen. It’s on-the-job training. You earn while you learn and are paid a wage from the first day you’re hired by a contractor. Apprentices usually start at about 40 percent of the skilled journeyman’s rate of pay. Apprentice wages are increased at periodic intervals until their wages are up to 80 percent of the journeyman’s rate-usually the last year of training. 

Any candidate applying for an apprenticeship must meet the following requirements:

If the above requirements are met the applicant must obtain a recommendation from one of the following:

• Be 17 years of age or older.

• Have a valid driver’s license or state I.D. card.

• Have a High School diploma or a G.E.D. Certificate or offically sealed HIgh School Transcripts (minimum 8 credit).

• Original Social Security card or a receipt showing an application for a duplicate card has been applied for.

• Submit a $25.00 non-refundable Application Processing Fee (Money Order/Cashiers Check ONLY). No cash or credit cards accepted.

• PRIOR TO TRAINING START DATE:

• Must be physically fit to work as a carpenter (no restrictions).

• Pass an proficiency test.

• Pass a drug test.

Local 149 Website

Training Director: Derek Reedy

Phone: 217-359-5201

Savoy, IL

Application

Application Deadline: Jan. 31, 2026

Qualifications

Apprenticeship applications, before being accepted as apprentices, must be able to meet the following requirements:

1. Must be at least 18 years at the time of interview. Must provide copy of birth certificate.

2. Must be high school graduate or have a GED. Must have at least two year high school math with a passing grade. Must provide high school transcripts or equivalent.

3. Must provide copy of valid State of Illinois Driver’s license.

4. Must provide a copy of your Social Security Card.

5. Provide copy of Military Discharge Form DD-214 if applicable.

6. All documents requested must be submitted to qualify to take the aptitude test.

7. All applicants who score at least 70% on the aptitude test will qualify for an interview.

8. Shall provide a nonrefundable $20 fee when you submit your application, we accept cash or card.

There is also  a Study Guide available for $20 at the JAC Offices. We would highly recommend purchasing.

Local #159 Website

Phone: 217-422-3078

Decatur, IL

Email: info@laborers159.com

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 6:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Decatur Applications Open in February 2026

Local #1197 Website

Phone: 618-643-2757

Email: laborers@local1197.com

Office Hours

Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

McLeansboro Applications  Online - 2 weeks & In person

Illinois Laborers & Contractors Apprenticeship Application Process

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

 1) Applicant must apply in person or on-line

 2) Must be 17 years of age at the time of application.

 3) High School Graduate or GED Certificate

 4) Physically able to perform the work of the trade  

 5) A reading, understanding, writing, and communicating ability, that would enable the applicant to perform the tasks of the CCL in

  a safe manner and comprehend the subject matter taught, in English only, in related training.

 DRUG TESTING SHALL BE REQUIRED UPON ACCEPTANCE INTO PROGRAM

 Within ten (10) days of date of application, applicant must submit the following to Fund Office:

   1)  Birth Certificate or documentation showing proof of age. (Drivers license or state identification card may be used)

   2)  High School Diploma or GED Certificate ( If this is not available, transcripts with graduation date will be suffice)

              Foreign Transcripts - MUST BE TRANSLATED

   3)  Military DD214 - If Applicable

How to Apply

The online application can be found on our website under the APPLY NOW tab at the top of the homepage.  In-person application times vary, and are listed with each local in the Where to Apply section.  Once you have applied and submitted all necessary documentation, the ILCJATP will be in contact by US Mail concerning your next steps.

Local #143 Website

Phone: 217-356-9313

Information Request Form

Champaign, IL

You may apply in person at our office any day of the week Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. excluding holidays.

Located at 3301 N. Boardwalk Dr. Champaign, IL 61822.

​​

To apply bring:

1. Copy of ORIGINAL Certificate of Birth. Must be 18 years of age or older.

2. High School Diploma or GED certificate.

3. Driver's License

4. If applicable a copy of DD214 for proof of military service

5. A $20.00 application fee is required to cover the cost of the application. CASH ONLY.

There is no test or ranking for this program. We are "Intent to Hire". Once the applicant has met the requirements above, the applicant will be given a list of signatory contractors for the area in which they live along with a letter of introduction. The applicant at that time may visit the contractors listed to solicit their first job.

The local 143 JATF apprenticeship program is three years in duration. The apprentice will start at the first year level and must complete a minimum of 144 classroom hours annually and additionally work a minimum of 1200 hours in the field annually to be promoted to the next level.

​

Local #380 Website

Phone: 217-367-6014

Email: ironworkers380@gmail.com

Urbana, IL

Online Application

Applications can also be picked up in person 

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Application Process:

Required forms - Birth Certificate, High School Diploma, 3 letters of references, HS Transcript, Valid Driver's License, Physical

Forms are required to be turned in before the interview

Local #60 Website

Phone: 309-266-7144

Morton, IL

Apprenticeship Information: 

Apprenticeship Website

Applications for apprenticeship are taken on the last Thursday of the month from 8am to 9am, we must have a copy of birth certificate and high school diploma or g.e.d and any welding certification or schooling is a plus but not necessary.

Location: 425 W. Edgewood Ct. Morton IL 61550 

ph#: (309)266-7144