4 Hudson Valley Unions Recruiting Apprentices

PELHAM, NY — Four unions in the Hudson Valley are staging recruitment drives for apprentices.

Some are more limited than others. Three of the drives are 10 months to a year long, but one is only a two-week opportunity. One is only open to Mid-Hudson-Valley residents. Applicants are available most business days for three of the drives, but one of them will only give out applications on second and fourth Monday mornings.

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Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

Insulation and asbestos worker apprentices

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers, Local Union #40, will conduct a recruitment from Feb. 6, 2017 through Jan. 22, 2018 for six insulation and asbestos worker apprentices who are residents of Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, or Washington counties.

Applications can be obtained at Local Union #40, 890 Third Street, Albany, NY, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. Contact Union #40 at (518) 489-6407.

Plumber and steamfitter plus refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic apprentices

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for Plumbers & Steamfitters, Local Union #21, Zone 1, will conduct a recruitment from Feb. 21, 2017 through March 6, 2017 for 15 plumber and steamfitter apprentices and five refrigeration & air conditioning mechanic apprentices who are residents of Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster, and Westchester.

Applications must be obtained in person at Local Union #21, 1024 McKinley Street, Peekskill, NY, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. Contact Union #21 at (914) 737-2183.

Applications must be returned in person by 3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2017 at Local Union # 21. Applicants must pay a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee by cash or money order. You may request that this fee be waived. Fee waivers will be approved upon showing verifiable proof of financial need.

Electrician apprentices

USIS Electric, Inc. will conduct a recruitment from Feb. 21, 2017 through Feb. 21, 2018 for 24 electrician apprentices. The openings represent the total number for three recruitment regions – the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City regions.

Applications will be available at USIS Electric, Inc., 35 West Jefferson Avenue, Pearl River, NY, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. Applicants must apply in person. Applications must be received no later than Feb. 21, 2018. Contact USIS Electric, Inc. at (845) 358-7755.

Sheet Metal Workers

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for Sheet Metal Workers, Local Union #38, will conduct a recruitment from Feb. 27, 2017 through Dec. 29, 2017 for 15 sheet metal worker apprentices.

Prospective workers must be willing and able to travel within the jurisdiction of Local Union #38, which includes: the counties of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester in New York; and the counties of Fairfield and Litchfield in Connecticut.

Applications can be obtained at Local Union #38, 38 Starr Ridge Road, Brewster, NY, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. Contact Union #38 at (845) 278-6983.

For any apprenticeship, having a reliable source of transportation is usually a must. Having a driver's license is sometimes a requirement. Being 18 or older, with a high-school or equivalent diploma is often essential too. However, the Insulators and Asbestos Workers union only requires a 10th-grade education for apprentices in this recruitment.

Some of the other specific requirements:

• for the Sheet Metal Workers apprenticeship, applicants must take the Basic Math Test administered by Local Union #38. The trade requires an extensive amount of math and work with rulers.
• Electrician applicants must show physical stamina and strength to be physically able to perform the work of the trade, which may include:

• Pulling cable.
• Lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Carrying 25 pounds.
• Climbing ladders.
• Standing 90 percent of the day.
• Insulators and Asbestos Workers apprentice applicants must have passed Math I in high school, must be able to work at heights using scaffolds and ladders and must be able to work indoors and outdoors.

For further information, applicants should contact their nearest New York State Department of Labor office or the local union.

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