There are two main ways into the trades on Long Island: a union apprenticeship, or a job with a non-union contractor that trains you. Both pay you while you learn. The biggest difference is when you can get in.
How union apprenticeships recruit
Union programs (run by joint apprenticeship committees) only take applications during recruitment periods announced by the New York State Department of Labor. Some recent Long Island examples:
- Carpenters (North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund, Hauppauge): open November 3, 2026 to November 2, 2027, 50 spots. You attend an in-person info session first (first Monday of the month, 6 p.m.), then apply online.
- Laborers Local 66 (Melville): open September 16, 2026 to September 15, 2027, 20 spots. In person, Mondays and Wednesdays.
- Electricians, IBEW Local 25 (Hauppauge): no window open as of October 2026. The last one ran in summer and fall 2025, in person on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
Spots are limited and competition is real. IBEW Local 25 received 884 applications for one incoming class, according to LaborPress. Most programs also require an aptitude test and an interview, and rank applicants.
Find every open window on the state’s apprenticeship recruitment list. Look for “Long Island” in the region.
How non-union shops hire
Non-union contractors hire apprentices and helpers whenever they have work. Some run state-registered programs; many train on the job. You apply to the shop, not to a recruitment window, so you can often start in weeks instead of waiting a year or more.
How they compare
- Getting in: union is a scheduled, competitive process; non-union is a regular job search.
- Training: union programs have a fixed schedule of classes and on-the-job hours. Non-union training varies by shop, so ask how it works.
- Pay and benefits: union wage scales and benefits are set by contract. Non-union pay is set by the shop. Ask about raises.
- Your record: either way, keep your own log of the hours you work. You’ll need it for a license later.
What to do while you wait for a window
- Check the state recruitment list every month, and call the union’s training office to ask when they expect the next window.
- Brush up on algebra and reading. Most aptitude tests cover both.
- Get an OSHA 10 card. It’s cheap and shows you’re serious.
- Work in the trade now. A few months as a helper teaches you the work, and real experience helps your application.
- Visit shops in person at open houses. It’s the fastest way to find out who’s hiring.