Frequently Asked Questions

An apprentice is someone who learns a craft, by working under the guidance of a skilled union worker of that craft, called a Journeyman, in this case, Drywall, the Drywall, Acoustic & Interior Systems Carpenter.

As an apprentice, you get paid an hourly wage when you are working.

During your first year in apprenticeship, you will be paid regularly about 40% of the employer’s Journeyman’s hourly rate of pay. There are pay periodically over the term of your apprenticeship.

Working 8 hours per day, five days a week is standard.

The Ontario Government charges each apprentice a fee of $500.00 for the Basic and Advance courses.

The union regulations require that you must have completed a minimum of grade 10 to eligible.

You get you Journeyman’s certificate from the Province of Ontario, once you have successfully completed 5,400 hours of the program, which includes sixteen weeks of classroom training, and writing a final certification examination.

Yes it does.

Yes, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America of which the Drywall, Acoustic & Interior Systems Carpenters are members.

Please see the Contact section for further information.

NOTE: The information above is subject to change and should be verified with the responsible union apprenticeship program management.

Here is an expanding field of work which will offer challenges to many young people entering the construction trades. It involves the installation of all sorts of modern equipment and material in all sectors of the construction industry – acoustical ceilings, raised floors for computers, metal framing, wall partitions, and office furniture systems, just to name a few. This work is year round employment.

The union members of this craft install a variety of factory-produced systems and construction materials in commercial buildings and public structures. Their specialized skills assemble complex interior systems using technical data supplied by manufacturers. Drywall, Acoustic & Interior Systems Carpenters generally use carpentry tools to do their work. They also use their welding skills to do some assembly work.

Training to become a union interior systems carpenter is available through an apprenticeship program offered by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

An apprentice is someone who is learning a trade by working under the guidance of a union Drywall, Acoustic & Interior Systems Carpenter, called a journeyman. It includes on-the-job and classroom training. You earn while you learn, and you are paid by the hour while you are working on the job site. Apprentices wages start at 40% of the journeyman’s rate of pay with periodic increases in pay until you reach the full journeyman’s rate. The Drywall, Acoustic & Interior Systems Carpenter apprenticeship program involves a maximum of six periods of 900 hours each, for a total of 5400 hours of training, and writing a final certification examination. The classroom training included above runs for sixteen weeks at The Walls & Ceilings Training Centre.

When applications are received by the union, you must be at least 16 years of age and have a minimum grade 10. However, some employers require a grade 12 education. Taking courses in basic mathematics, drafting or mechanical drawing and shop work would be an asset. To apply for the program, YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR LATEST SCHOOL REPORT CARD.

Drywall, Acoustic & Interior Systems Carpenters generally work 8-hour days, with the work, being done inside at floor level and sometimes above floor level on scaffolds. Sturdy work clothes and the proper safety equipment should be worn at all times.

The rewards of Union Apprenticeship Training are the good wages and benefits you receive as a skilled craftsperson. Union Drywall, Acoustic & Interior Systems Carpenters belong to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, the largest building trades union of North America. You will be working under the protection of a union contract, with insurance, pension and health and welfare benefits. In the long run, it pays to become a Drywall, Acoustic & Interior Systems Carpenter, trained through Union Apprenticeship!

A number of women are now working very successfully as journeypersons and apprentices. The union, the construction industry and the contractors are encouraging women to start a Drywall, Acoustic and Interior Systems career through apprenticeship. It is not easy for women to start in construction but there is support and help from the union, other trades people, apprenticeship counsellors and other apprentices.