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Apprenticeships can jumpstart a career in the construction industry by combining technical training with on-the-job experience. But with all the different craft positions, trades, and companies, how do you know which apprenticeship is right for you?
STEP 1: DEFINE YOUR INTERESTS
When making any big career decision, you must first ask yourself ‘what am I interested in doing?’ and ‘what skills do I have?’ While construction experience is not required for most apprenticeships, there are a ton of skills are transferrable from other industries. You’re probably more experienced than you think!
To compare career options, check out our Construction Career Page. If you’re still unsure what type of trade would be best for you, take our Career Match Quiz.
STEP 2: RESEARCH YOUR OPTIONS
Once you’ve determined your construction career path, it’s time to research your options. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Company Size & Specialty – Are you looking to learn from a company with a national reach or a smaller team, deeply rooted in your community? Both provide different advantages when it comes to growth opportunities. You can also compare options within different fields (industrial, residential, commercial) as they will all yield different types of experience (even within the same trade!).
Reviews & Testimonials – Check online for company and employee reviews at different companies. For insider tips on certain companies, contact our Career Consultants – they can give you the information you’re looking for or route you to the right resources. We also have videos spotlighting craft professionals and their experiences to get you started here.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs – Not all apprenticeship programs are registered and approved by organizations like the US Department of Labor and the National Center for Construction, Education & Research (NCCER). Registered apprenticeships are paid, include regular wage increases, and earn you industry-recognized credentials that can be crucial for your career. They can also provide benefits such as college credit or an associate degree as part of their program. When researching any apprenticeship, always connect with employers to find out the details of the program you’re considering. Check out our Career Page for local job listings.
STEP 3: CONNECT WITH A CAREER CONSULTANT
Maybe you’ve looked at our career center or local job listings, and you still don’t know which path to take. The truth is that everyone’s path is unique, and BYF Arizona is here to help! You can schedule a 1-on-1 with a career consultant to assist you in narrowing down your interests, finding what’s available in the industry, mapping out your career path, or outlining next steps to take to reach your goals. As experts in the industry, they know how hard it can be to do it all yourself. When you’re building a future in construction, you’re never building alone. You can also check out the State of Arizona’s Apprenticeship Program.
STEP 4: APPLY FOR APPRENTICESHIPS
Once you’ve determined your desired apprenticeship programs, the only thing left to do is apply.
We recommend applying for a few different apprenticeships, as you’ll learn more about each program throughout the interview process. If you need any assistance in applying or interviewing, reach out to a Career Consultant– they’re happy to help!
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Compare Career Options
Career Match Quiz
Employee Testimonials
Local Job Listings
Get Help from a Career Consultant
The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation‘s Construction Workforce Initiative, Build Your Future Arizona’s mission is to create a sustainable and skilled craft workforce by creating awareness about high-paying construction careers, training opportunities and mapping career paths to employment in these high-demand occupations.
