Carpentry: Concrete, Finish Carpentry, Framing, Tilt-up

Program Information

Concrete: Working both outdoors and indoors, concrete finishers place and finish concrete floors, driveways, sidewalks, curbs, bridge decks and other concrete structures. Concrete finishers apply architectural, exposed, patterned or stamped, broomed and smooth finishes on concrete surfaces. They are skilled at repairing, waterproofing and restoring concrete surfaces. They have the knowledge to properly use dry pack grouting and epoxy materials, and understand how to cure concrete perfectly. There is less work available in the winter; however, summer hours are often longer than the standard 40-hour week. Overtime is sometimes required because concrete finishers cannot leave a project in the middle and return to it the next day. 

Finish Carpentry:  Finish carpenters cut, shape, and assemble wood products, including moldings, panels and furniture. They also fabricate store fixtures, which includes the use of metal, plastics, and glass. Many work on exhibits and display cases. Finish carpenters operate a number of machines, including power saws, planers, joiners and shapers.

Framing:  Framers work primarily on residential sites, in crews of three or four persons. Their job begins after a building's foundation has been poured. They install the floor joists, interior and exterior walls, and the roof trusses. Framers may also install the exterior doors and windows, cornices, outside wall trim, roof coverings.

Tilt-up:  The tilt-up worker works with slabs of concrete, which after attaining proper strength, are lifted (tilted) with a crane and set on prepared foundations to form the exterior walls of a building.  The erected panels are temporarily braced, connected, and the joints between them caulked. Tilt-up workers may construct and attach the roof structure to the walls to complete the building shell. Tilt-up construction is used for nearly every type of one- to four-story building.

The Apprenticeship Training Program for each of these options is a four-year program. The apprentice must furnish his/her own tools and be working as an indentured apprentice. Employment within the trade depends upon a willingness to work and available work in the industry. Apprentices are also required to attend daytime college credit related and supplemental instruction for two weeks, 40 hours pr week, every six months.

Successful completion of the apprenticeship program (1) leads to journeyworker status with the State of California, (2) satisfies major requirements for an associate degree through Santiago Canyon College, and (3) satisfies requirements for a Certificate of Achievement through Santiago Canyon College.
 

Application Information

In order to indenture into the apprenticeship program (become an apprentice) a person must:

1. Be at least seventeen (17) years of age. There is no upper age limit.
2. Have a job offer with an approved contractor. Applicants may wish to contact a Local Union or Training Center (see list below) in advance for information regarding the availability of jobs and prospective contractors who may be in need of an apprentice.
3. Complete a written application seeking entry into the program.
4. Obtain a "Letter of Subscription" signed by an approved contractor. A "Letter of Intent" on company letterhead will also suffice in lieu of the "Letter of Subscription."
5. Return the completed "Letter of Subscription" or "Letter of Intent" to one of the above locations.
6. Upon indenture, the apprentice will be required to sign an apprenticeship agreement and will receive a copy of the rules and regulations. If the applicant is seventeen (17) years of age, he must have a parent or a guardian sign the apprenticeship agreement.
7. Register in and attend daytime training classes, in addition to on-the-job training.
8. Furnish your own hand tools and have reliable transportation to school and work.

Written applications are accepted at the following locations:

 

Contact Information

Western States Carpenters Training Trust
3250 E. Shelby Street, Suite 137
Ontario, CA 91764
855-523-5282
www.wsctf.org