FAQs

All classes are put into a schedule by request from any of our Local Unions, Apprentice Programs or Signatory Contractors at any time during the year. Our most popular time for trainees to attend classes is during the winter months when construction work slows down. Receiving credentials by attending training classes through your Local Union, makes a Laborer more marketable to our partner contractors, and will lead to more work hours for the Laborer.

The lions share of the training classes scheduled, are during the winter months, when construction work slows down or is suspended due to poor weather conditions. All classes scheduled can be attended by Apprentices or Journey Workers. However, Apprentices will be invited to required training based on their progress toward completion of the Apprenticeship Program.

There are no wages paid to Laborers' that attend training. However, there is a participation expense reimbursement of $50 per day paid to Apprentices and Journey Workers. All participation reimbursements are paid by check and are generated after the classes are completed. In order to be eligible to receive an participation reimbursement check, the trainee must complete the training class that was attended in its entirety.

Apprenticeship Training: Laborer Apprentices are required to attend certain scheduled classes because of their agreement in joining and completing the apprentice program. All Apprentices are eligible to take any classes that are offered outside of the Apprenticeship class requirements as electives. Journey Workers: Laborers are required to be in good standing with their monthly dues payments to their Local Union and have completed the prerequisite training to enroll in a refresher class, within the grace period allowed by the governmental agency requiring the refresher. Laborers outside the Laborers' District Council of Eastern Pennsylvania and Contractor Employees must be in good standing with the Union Contractor or Local Union in order to attend the classes. These individuals are not eligible to receive the expense reimbursements. However, are eligible to receive all credentials by successfully completing the classes.

Yes, there are rules for attire at the training classes just as there are requirements on attire when going to work. The rules are put into place to protect all the parties involved with conducting quality training programs that include hands-on activities and performance evaluations. When a Laborer attends a class, they must dress like they are going to work. Shorts, cut-off trousers, tennis shoes, flip flops, sandals and tank tops are NOT appropriate attire for training classes.

All day time training classes begin at 8:00 A.M. and conclude at 4:30 P.M. unless changed by the Instructor or Director. Please try to arrive earlier than the start of the class. Evening classes begin at 5:00 P.M. and conclude at 9:00 P.M. unless changed by the Instructor or Director. The Training Fund Office hours are 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday - except holidays and severe weather conditions.

Apprenticeship Training: Yes, we will inform each Apprentice that is scheduled for training by U.S. Postal mail about 30 days prior to the class at the last known address we have on file. At the top of the letter it will give directions to call and register. (It is important to change your address with the Training Fund if you move, the Local Union does not provide the Training Fund with address changes). Journey Workers: Yes, our policy is to have enrollment of at least five trainees prior to conducting a training class because of finances. If one sees a class on the schedule on the website, it may be canceled if we do not receive registered trainees. However, with required refresher training we will conduct a refresher class for less than five since we have an investment in the prior initial class training.

The training classes are held at the following locations:

Laborers' Local 1180

524 South 22nd Street

Harrisburg, PA 17104

Northeast Environmental Technology Center (NEET Center)

1300 Old Plank Road

Mayfield, PA 18433

Laborers' Local 1174

465 Allentown Drive

Allentown, PA 18103

Trout Run Firehouse

241 State Route 14

Trout Run, PA 17771