Building Construction

Union Apprenticeships are the best opportunities in building construction.

You get paid while you train (to eventually join the union) and get great benefits from the union (great pay -- sometimes $40/hour+, family health insurance, a pension, and depending on the union, sometimes free childcare and access to a lawyer when needed)

You need:

• Work authorization,

• A driver's license and a form of transportation,

• Some English language skills, and

• To apply within certain designated times (most application periods only open once or twice a year).

Other training programs/pre-apprenticeships sometimes cost money and sometimes are paid for by the government (because they need workers in a certain area).

These training programs are usually shorter than the union programs and don't guarantee you a job, although they will help you find one.

JVS Programs often have English classes as part of the training, if you need them.

You need:

• Work authorization, and

• Some English language skills (which are almost always needed for these programs).

There are also some programs from local community colleges, like Bunker Hill Community College and Northshore Community College, that can help prepare you for careers in the building trades via taking classes.

Associate's Degrees are 2 year programs.

Certificate Programs are usually a few months to a year long programs.

You don't need work authorization to take classes, but they will be a lot more expensive as a non-citizen vs. a citizen. Non-citizens don't often quality for financial aid. There are some intro classes offered in Spanish at North Shore Community College.