| Carpenters Local 308 | 350 Waconia Ct. S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 | Contact: Don Kimm | 319-365-9519 |
| Carpenters Local 1260 | 705 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, Iowa 52240 | Contact: Rick Hanna | 319-338-1638 |
ORGANIZATION
The International Union, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, was founded in 1881. The Local Union in Cedar Rapids, Iowa was founded in 1899 and is a part of a Regional Council that encompasses forty-one counties in Eastern Iowa and ten in Illinois. Our training facility, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, trains Carpenters for four Local Unions - #308, Cedar Rapids - #1260, Iowa City - #678, Dubuque. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters has provided Apprenticeship since 1944 and has been a leader in the Building and Construction Trades in this field.
NATURE OF TRADE
The trade of carpentry includes many phases of the construction industry, e.g. milling, fashioning, joining, assembly, erecting, fastening, or dismantling of all materials of wood, plastic, metal, fiber, cork, composition, and all other structural materials. The handling, cleaning, erecting, installing, and dismantling of machinery, equipment and materials are all phases of the millwright area of carpentry. Blueprints and specifications are used to determine types and sizes of material to be used for each job.
Carpenters in some cases specialize in one particular phase of the trade such as the installation of acoustical materials, driving pile, making cabinets, laying wood and resilient floors, laying carpet, or working in sawmills.
The employment for Carpenters is usually greatest in new construction, e.g. buildings, homes, factories, etc. However, many are employed on alteration or remodeling work, while many work for governmental agencies or firms for their own construction and maintenance. In view of the fact that carpenters are familiar with the entire process of construction, they usually have many opportunities to become general construction foremen. Others who are self employed, become contractors thus employing other journeypersons.
APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
Carpenters participate in a four-year apprenticeship program that covers approximately 1300 hours of on-the-job training and
160 hours of related classroom instruction each year. During this time, an apprentice receives a prorated percentage of Journeypersons pay. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, jointly implemented by the Brotherhood and Management Organizations, offer a number of benefits to those participating, such as retirement pensions, health and welfare programs, vacation allowances, overtime pay stipulations, and adequate wages.
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America have put forth an all-out effort not only to train people for entry into the field of carpentry, but to offer training for those who are already journeyperson carpenters by upgrading their present abilities and expanding their knowledge and skills so that they may be familiar with and prepared for all innovations. Specialized training and additional certification programs are available.
QUALIFICATIONS
In order to become an apprentice, an applicant must meet the following qualifications:
· Must be at least 18 years of age
· Must have completed four years of high school or its certified equivalent· Must be an American Citizen or in the process of becoming one.· Must be of good moral character and demonstrate pronounced aptitude and interest, as well as proper attitude toward the trade.You can get a head start by studying math and enrolling in shop while you are still in school. Classes in industrial arts and mechanical drawing will help you decide whether or not you have an aptitude for the trade.APPLICATIONS, SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS
In order to be considered for an apprenticeship, a candidate needs to complete an application and return it to the Five Rivers Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Committee with a copy of a high school transcript or GED test.
After completing interviews and review of applications, the Joint Committee begins placement to apprenticeships based on need and demand in the area. Those candidates not placed may be considered for future openings.