Skills Training
Rochester has many opportunities for acclaimed training programs - from high school and secondary education courses to union apprenticeship programs - which serve as great stepping stones into the construction industry. Invest in your future by investing in your career training.
Unionized construction trades have the highest skills in industry training, having programs that date back to over 70 years. The building construction trades unions maintain the gold standard in training and development. Check out some of their programs below.
Union Apprenticeship Programs
Bricklayers
The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 3 offers a masonry apprenticeship that provides training in brick, block, concrete, plastering, restoration and tile, as well as support personnel.
The Bricklayers/Tile setter program is a four-year program. The program includes both on-the-job training and continuing education. Interested applicants can apply in-person or by mail.
Carpenters
The Northeast Regional Association of Carpenters coffers an apprenticeship program for all carpenters, pile drivers, shop and millmen, and floorcoverers.
The Carpenters Apprentice Program is a five-year commitment that is a combination of classroom learning and job site employment. Interested applicants can sign up for a Zoom information session by contacting the training center.
Laborers
Laborers' Local 435 offers an apprenticeship program that covers every aspect of construction laborer training while ensuring safety and productivity among construction laborers.
The Laborers’ Apprenticeship Programs take 3-4 years to complete the 300 classroom hours and 4000 hours field experience required to graduate to journeyman status. Interested applicants can apply in-person.
Operating Engineers
The Operating Engineers Local 158 offers an apprenticeship training program for those interested in operating construction machinery.
The Operator’s Apprentice Program is a 2-3 year program depending upon the specialty selected. APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED ON THE PREMISES. APPLICATIONS CAN NOT BE MAILED OR TAKEN OFF PREMISES.
Electrical Workers
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 86 offers an apprenticeship training program.
IBEW's apprenticeship is a 5-year program that is a combination of classroom training and on-the-job training. Interested applicants can apply in-person.
Sheet Metal Workers
The Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Local 46 offers a 5-year apprenticeship program that provides training in HVAC service work, testing adjusting and balancing (TAB), welding, architectural sheet metal & roofing, computer assisted design (CAD), direct digital controls, HVAC systems/Sheet Metal field installation, shop layout and fabrication, project management, foreman and supervisory training, Industry related safety certifications, welding certifications, and detailing stamps.
Interested applicants can apply online at any time.
Plumbers & Pipefitters
The Plumbers & Pipefitters' offers a 4-5 year apprenticeship program for those interested in a career in the Plumbing, Pipefitting, and HVAC-Refrigeration industries. Interested applicants can apply in-person by taking a test at the union hall at specified times.
Heat & Frost insulators
The Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Union Local 26 offers a five-year apprenticeship program for the insulation and abatement industries. Interested applicants can apply in-person.
Other Trades
For information on other building trade union apprenticeship program and to see the full list of programs, click the button below
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Rochester Careers in Construction, Inc.
Rochester Careers in Construction, Inc. (RCCI) is a local non-profit with a mission to expose individuals to the limitless career possibilities that the construction industry provides. Through educating the community and giving job training to students, RCCI is working to enrich and embolden our area's youth to choose to make their path in the industry!
Education Programs
Edison Tech
Students at Edison get hands on experience in every aspect of construction. Students will get chance to use not just hammers and nails but also programs like CAD that teach students not just how to build buildings but how to design them inside and out.
There is a lot more to construction than hammers and nails. There are many different careers available in this field from designing a house, to figuring out how to build it, to doing the construction, to making repairs. Many of the electricians, machinists, plumbers, and carpenters in this field are beginning to retire- leaving behind lots of job opportunities for recent graduates to fill.
Eastern Monroe Career Center, EMCC
Students learn the fundamentals of commercial and residential construction. First-year students learn the fundamental principles and theoretical concepts of wall, floor, and roof framing, and exterior finishes including windows, doors, siding and roofing. Second-year students focus on dry wall, kitchens and baths, trim and painting, and form-building for concrete structures. Training in home energy audits and truss and soffit construction is included with practical applications on site. Students work on other related projects including sheds and decks.
Genesee Valley BOCES
This program provides students with a background applicable to both residential and commercial construction. Students learn technical skills in specialized areas of carpentry and cabinet making, residential wiring, plumbing and heating. Training occurs in machine operations, test equipment, hand tools, portable and stationary power tools, pneumatic tools, rigging and OSHA Safety requirements.
Students build a house on site every year. This provides hands-on experience in residential framing, door and window hanging, electrical wiring, heating systems, plumbing, siding, roofing, dry wall installation, and interior/exterior trim. Blueprint reading, material codes and specifications are extensively taught. Cooperative work experiences and other work experience opportunities are also available. In addition, students will have the opportunity to produce group and individual woodworking projects, or to work in more advanced areas of the electrical or plumbing and heating trades.
Monroe Community College
MCC Corporate College offers technical training for construction workers, plumbers, electricians and other skilled-trade workers. If you’re currently participating in a registered apprenticeship program, you can earn credit through our training courses.
In addition to specific courses, MCC also offers a range of certificates and two-year degrees in the construction field.
Areas of study include: Air Conditioning Technology: Heating and Ventilation; Computer Aided Design and Drafting, Construction Technology; Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning; Skilled Trades; Welding;
Alfred State
The Building Trades Department is composed of four programs: building construction; heavy equipment operations; masonry; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Rewarding careers in the construction industry are open to students graduating from the building trades programs. With the continual development of new building methods and materials, the craftsperson finds it necessary to keep abreast of these developments. Construction, as in many other occupations, is becoming a field of specialists. Coupled with hands-on experience working at off-campus construction sites, the programs provide the necessary theory as well as instruction in blueprint reading, cost and materials, estimating, safety, and the use of newly developed equipment and materials.
Alfred also offers Electrical Trades programs and Construction Management and Technology programs.