NEFBA’s Apprenticeship Program is accepting applications for its electrical, plumbing and heating and air-conditioning apprentice training through June 30. Applications for carpentry training are accepted year-round.
NEFBA’s program has offered quality construction career training for nearly 45 years to meet the needs of employers, the industry and the community thereby enhancing the quality of life in Northeast Florida.
“Our program is a registered program with the Florida Department of Education,” said NEFBA’s Training Director Christina Thomas. “It is a four-year program with classroom instruction two nights a week from September through April, and full-time employment by a NEFBA member employer provides on-the-job training and a salary.”
The NEFBA program is compatible with Post-911 GI Bill and apprentices receive a 5 percent wage increase every six months.
Qualified applicants may apply to the plumbing, heating and air-conditioning and electrical programs weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. January through June.
Carpentry applications are accepted weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays all year (except holidays and office closures).
To apply in person, visit the NEFBA office at 203 Century 21 Drive, Suite 100, Jacksonville.
Apply online by scanning and completing the apprenticeship application available at www.nefbaapprenticeship.org, along with the required documentation, and emailing to [email protected].
Applicants are required to present documentation at the time of application verifying they meet the following minimum qualifications. Applicants must have these documents with them at the time of application:
• Age: Be at least 18 years of age by time of application. Exceptions can be made for graduates of high school vocational education programs. A driver’s license will serve as documentation.
• Education: Be a high school graduate and provide diploma or GED certificate by time of application.
• Recommendations: Provide written letters of recommendation from two people who have known applicant for more than three years and who are not related to the applicant. Letters must be hand-signed and must document the number of years the person has known the applicant.
• Residency: Provide proof of residency in jurisdictional area (driver’s license).
• Physical ability to perform work: Must be physically able to perform the work of the trade as detailed in job descriptions. (Read the job description.)
• Proof of transportation: Provide a copy of vehicle registration to verify.
• Driver’s license: Have and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
• Social Security card.
• Veteran status: Veterans must provide a copy of their DD-214 (discharge paper).
• Experience/training verification: To receive credit for previous experience and/or training in the trade, the applicant must verify by means of written references that experience or training (at least three months).
• Math/English class verification: To receive credit for high school math and English classes, the applicant must verify by submission of high school transcripts.
For the trades of electrical, heating and air, and plumbing, an interview will be conducted with each applicant.
To improve your chance of being selected if you do not have previous work experience, you must provide high school or college transcripts showing grades in math and English or any construction related classes.
NEFBA’s Training Vice President Keith Ward said the program provides graduates with important certifications and advantages.
“Our graduates also receive a completion of apprenticeship certificate from the Florida Department of Education,” he said. “They also receive a National Center for Construction Education and Research wallet ID card to verify their transcripts.
“They will also have accumulated 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and journeyman status. Their 600 hours of trade-related instruction gives our apprentice graduates a decided advantage when looking for and beginning a new job,” Ward said.
For more information, contact the apprenticeship program at 103 Century 21 Drive, Suite 100, Jacksonville, (904) 421-0296.