Two of New York City’s most coveted union apprenticeship programs open their application windows on Monday, June 8, 2026 — and if you’ve been waiting for your shot at a skilled trades career with full union benefits, lifetime job security, and a salary that grows with you, the clock starts now.
Plumbers Local #1 and Elevator Constructors Local #1 are both recruiting 50 apprentices each. These programs are highly competitive, windows are short, and applications run out fast. Read every word of this article before you show up or click apply.
What Is a Union Apprenticeship — and Why Does It Matter?
A union apprenticeship is the gold standard of on-the-job training. You earn a full paycheck from day one while learning your trade under certified journeyworkers. There is no tuition debt. No guessing whether you’ll be hired after graduation. No unpaid internships. You work, you learn, and your wage increases every six months as your skills develop.
In New York City, union tradespeople enjoy some of the most comprehensive benefit packages in the country — including health insurance, pension plans, and retirement savings contributions paid by employers, not out of your paycheck. A journeyworker plumber or elevator constructor in NYC earns wages competitive with many white-collar professions, with overtime and premium pay on top.
The city’s construction pipeline is enormous — billions in public infrastructure projects, MTA capital work, school construction, affordable housing, and climate resilience projects mean sustained demand for skilled tradespeople throughout your career.
Program #1: Plumbers Local Union #1 — Applications Open June 8–22
Act fast: Only 1,000 applications will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be picked up IN PERSON. You cannot apply online.
How to Get Your Application
Applications are available in person only at:
JATC for Plumbers Local Union #1 Training Center
37-11 47th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
June 8 through June 22, 2026 (closed June 19 — Juneteenth holiday)
Bring valid government-issued photo ID. Only one application per person will be issued. Once 1,000 applications are distributed, the window closes — even if it’s before June 22.
How to Return Your Application
Completed applications must be returned by hand (no mail) to the same address:
- Return window: Friday July 17 through Thursday July 23, 2026
- Hours: 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m., Monday–Thursday
- Deadline: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Required with your completed application:
- High school diploma or HSE/GED with official transcript
- $50.00 Money Order (no cash or personal checks) — covers $25 application fee + $25 aptitude test fee. Fee waivers available with proof of financial need.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old at program entry
- Must pass a TABE assessment test and drug test (sponsor-paid)
- Must be legally authorized to work in the USA
- Personal interview required
Questions? Call (718) 752-9630
Source: NYS Department of Labor — Plumbers Local #1 JAC announcement
Program #2: Elevator Constructors Local #1 — Apply Online June 8–19
Applications close online on June 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. — or as soon as 2,500 applicants submit, whichever comes first.
How to Apply
- Go to neieprecruitment.org starting Monday, June 8 at 10:00 a.m.
- Select “Local 1 Recruitment NY/NJ”
- Enter your name, last four digits of your Social Security number, and email address
- You’ll receive an email with your application — complete and submit by July 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
- $25.00 application fee — payable by postal money order, debit card, or credit card. Fee waivers available with proof of financial need.
After submission, qualified applicants are scheduled for the Elevator Industry Aptitude Test (must score at least 70 out of 100), then a tool assessment test, and an interview. Aptitude exams run in February, interviews in March.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma or equivalency (GED/TASC)
- Government-issued photo ID at aptitude test
- Must pass drug screening and post-offer physical (sponsor-paid)
- Reliable transportation to job sites throughout the five boroughs
- Physical demands: heavy lifting (up to 100 lbs), climbing ladders/scaffolds, confined and elevated spaces
Questions? Call (718) 707-9450
Source: NYS Department of Labor — Elevator Constructors Local #1 JAC announcement
On Deck: IBEW Local 3 Electrician Apprenticeship
IBEW Local Union No. 3’s electrician apprenticeship — one of the most prestigious in the country — is not currently accepting applications. The Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry (JIBEI) confirms applications open periodically for just a brief window, with a hard cap on applications received.
To be notified when the next window opens, submit your request by mail to:
The Joint Apprentice Committee, 158-11 Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Avenue, Flushing, NY 11365
Or call the Apprentice Department: (718) 591-2000, ext. 1480
Requirements: must be 18+, one year of completed high school algebra, and two years of NYC-metro residency prior to application. The program is a 5.5-year “earn while you learn” program that includes a mandatory associate degree — paid for by the program — from Empire State University’s Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies. Full details at JIBEI.org.
Not Ready Yet? Pre-Apprenticeship Is Your Bridge
If you’ve never worked in construction or the trades, a free pre-apprenticeship program can build your foundational skills — and your competitive edge. NYC’s Construction Pre-Apprenticeship program offers hands-on training in carpentry, electrical basics, and construction fundamentals. Graduates receive special consideration when union interview windows open. Learn more at nyc.gov.
Two additional resources for underrepresented groups:
- Helmets to Hardhats — helps military veterans transition directly into union construction apprenticeships. Call (866) 741-6210 or visit helmetstohardhats.org
- Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) — trains women for careers in skilled construction, utility, and maintenance trades with direct connections to apprenticeship programs. Call (212) 627-6252 or visit new-nyc.org
Any NYS Department of Labor Career Center can provide free application help, aptitude test preparation, and connections to workforce programs.
How to Apply — Step by Step
For Plumbers Local #1:
- Travel to 37-11 47th Ave, Long Island City before June 22 (closed June 19)
- Bring government-issued photo ID
- Request your application — first-come among 1,000 total issued
- Complete all fields; gather diploma, transcripts, and a $50 money order
- Return completed application in person: July 17–23, 2026
For Elevator Constructors Local #1:
- On June 8 at 10:00 a.m., go to neieprecruitment.org
- Select Local 1 Recruitment NY/NJ and enter your info
- Check your email for your application link
- Complete and submit with $25 fee by July 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Both programs prohibit discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are actively encouraged to apply.
Pro tip: NYC Workforce1 Career Centers offer free aptitude test prep and application coaching. Call 311 to find the center nearest you.
Who This Helps
- Recent high school and GED graduates who want a debt-free path to a middle-class career
- Career changers in their 20s, 30s, or 40s who are done with low-wage work and want real benefits
- Veterans whose military experience makes them strong candidates for precision-based trades
- Women looking to enter well-paying trades — both programs actively recruit women via affirmative action plans
- Immigrants and first-generation New Yorkers who have work authorization and want to build generational wealth through a skilled trade
- Returning citizens — the path to apprenticeship focuses on aptitude and reliability, not background-check hurdles
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior construction experience to apply?
No. Both programs recruit people with no prior trade experience. What matters is your aptitude test score, reliability record, and math ability. If you need to brush up on algebra, community colleges offer no-credit preparatory courses.
What do NYC union apprentices earn while training?
Apprentices earn full union wages from day one — not a reduced training rate — with automatic increases every six months. By journeyworker status, NYC union plumbers and elevator constructors are among the highest-compensated tradespeople in the country. See official union websites for current wage scales.
Can I apply to both programs at the same time?
Yes. Both windows open June 8 and there is no rule against applying to both simultaneously. If selected by both, you would choose one at the offer stage.
What if I miss the June application window?
Both programs typically recruit once or twice per year. Bookmark the NYS DOL Apprenticeship Announcements page and enroll in a pre-apprenticeship program in the meantime to strengthen your application for the next cycle.
Where can I get free help with my application?
Any NYS DOL Career Center offers free application and job search assistance. Helmets to Hardhats and Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) also provide hands-on application support for eligible candidates.
