As the interview date nears, all qualified applicants are notified by mail as to when that date and time will be. Each applicant is personally given a verbal interview by a committee. This committee is made up of people representing the contractors and the union. After the personal verbal interview, each committee member gives the applicant a score from 0 to 100 with 100 being the best. This score is based on the applicant's background, attitude, interest and personal traits. After all the interviews are complete, the scores are averaged. This "average" number is assigned to the applicant. All applicants who have interviewed have their average score "slotted" onto an ongoing Ranking List with the highest score at the top of the list. A score of "92" is slotted between the "93's" and the "91's". An applicant's place on the Ranking List changes all the time. As applicants are taken off the list (to be indentured or who are no longer interested), all those below are advanced up the list. As new applicants are interviewed, their names and average scores are slotted onto the list as well. Each applicant will remain on the list for two years or until they are placed or indicate they are no longer interested. 

When the local JATC determines the need to start additional apprentice(s), they contact the top applicant(s). The top applicant(s) are given the time, date and location for the pre-apprenticeship orientation class. After successful completion of the orientation class, the applicant will be indentured and assigned to an employer to begin their on-the-job training.

The dictionary defines indenture as, "a contract obligating one party to work for another for a designated period of time". The day an applicant starts their apprenticeship will become his/ her indenture (start) date. This indenture date will be used when registering the apprentice with the United States Department of Labor.

After an applicant has met all the requirements for Apprenticeship and are offered the opportunity to become an Apprentice they can take a proficiencies exam. This exam gives the Committee an ideal how much experience an applicant has. The Committee will then decide what period the Applicant should start at based on the score they receive on this test.   

Each apprentice is assigned to their jobs. In order to obtain the diversity in all types of training, most apprentices will get to work for more than one contractor during their apprenticeship.

This program is set up as a five-year apprenticeship. There is a minimum of 8,000 total hours of required on-the-job training. Of these 8,000 hours, there are specific amounts of required types of training and attend 900 hours of related classroom instruction. Some apprentices finish in less than five years due to previous experience credit.

Classes are held eight hours one day every other week. All classes start at 7:00 am until 3:45 pm.

The tuition, workbooks and text references cost between $600 and $1,000 per year.  

The apprentices buy each year of books as they advance through the program rather than pay for all the books up front.

A list of basic hand tools is available.  All safety related tools (hard hat, rubber gloves, safety glasses etc.) are paid for and provided by the contractors. The apprentices must buy (or have) hand tools.

This program meets all of the requirements of, and is recognized by the State and Federal agencies that govern apprenticeship programs. In addition, this program meets all requirements of the G.I. Bill and is worth 47 college credits upon graduation from the American Council on Education.