Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: When can I apply to the Apprenticeship Program?
A: The Stationary Engineers’ Apprenticeship Program accepts applications every two years. Applications will next be accepted on May 14 through May 18, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the J.A.C. Training Center, 2501 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90057. Applications must be filled out in person during the specified dates and times.

Q: Who can apply? What documents are required?
A: You must be at least 18 years old, a high school graduate or have a General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate. You must be a citizen of the United States or have a valid Residency Certificate. When you apply, you must bring an original birth certificate, a U.S. high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate and a picture I.D. (valid Driver’s License or passport accepted). You must be able to speak, write and read English, and be able to do basic math calculations. If you are not a citizen of the United States, you will be required to show your Residency Certificate.

Q: I don’t have a copy of my birth certificate. What can I do?
A: If your birth certificate has been lost, contact the county of the country you were born in to get a validated copy. If your birth record has been destroyed and you were in the U.S. Military service, bring your DD2-14 papers. A valid U.S. passport is also acceptable.

Q: I’ve lost my high school diploma. What can I do?
A: Get a certified copy of your transcript from your high school. Be sure it contains 1) your date of graduation; 2) the state seal; 3) signature of the person who sent it to you; and 4) the date it was mailed.

Q: I can’t find my high school diploma, but I have a U.S. college degree. Will that be accepted in lieu of the high school diploma?
A: Yes. If your U.S. college degree is an A.A., A.S., B.A., B.S., etc. Please note: A "Certificate of Completion" in a specified field (i.e. Electricity, Carpentry, Stationary Engineering, etc.) is NOT acceptable as you are not required to have a high school diploma in order to receive this certificate.

Q: I don’t have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. certificate, but I have taken classes at a Junior/Community College. Does this qualify me to apply for the Apprenticeship?
A: No. Most trade and community or junior colleges DO NOT require a high school diploma to attend classes. You must call the G.E.D. office in Los Angeles (213) 745-5516.

Q: I took the G.E.D. recently, but have not received my scores. What should I do?
A: If you have an official letter from the G.E.D. office stating that you took the test and the date you took that test, you will be allowed to take the apprenticeship test. However, you will NOT be placed on the Apprenticeship List until we receive an OFFICIAL NOTICE OF YOUR SCORE FROM THE G.E.D. office.

Q: My high school diploma (or college degree) is from OUTSIDE the United States. What do I need to do?
A: You must have your schooling evaluated by a "Credentials Service". One such independent company is the Credentials Evaluation Service, (310) 390-6276. You will be charged for their services. Be aware that these services often take a number of months to verify your records as they personally contact the school you attended. Depending on the price a company may charge, you might want to take the G.E.D. test instead.

Q: What happens after I complete the Application for Apprenticeship?
A: When you apply, you will be given a scheduled test date and time. If you do not take the test, you will not be placed on the apprenticeship list.

Q: What if I cannot take the test on the day I am scheduled?
A: The written test is only administered during a few days in June. If you cannot take the test on your assigned date, call the J.A.C. office (213) 385-2889 ext. 115 or 116 no later than one week before your scheduled test day. We will TRY to reschedule you.
Please note: We CANNOT GUARANTEE that you can change your scheduled date.

Q: What if I am late or miss the day I am scheduled to take the test?
A: If you are late, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE TEST. YOU WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED if you do not come on the day your are assigned to take the test.

Q: How long is the test?
A: The test will take approximately three (3) hours to complete.

Q: What will the test cover?
A: The test is multiple choice; it covers English: Comprehension, Reading, Writing and Spelling and Math: Basic through some Trigonometry.

Q: When will I know my test scores?
A: You will receive your test results BY MAIL within four weeks of taking the exam. Do not call the J.A.C. office to try to find out your test scores: THE J.A.C. STAFF IS NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE TEST SCORES OVER THE TELEPHONE.
Q: How will I know where I placed on the Apprenticeship List?
A: When you receive your test scores, you will also be notified what the highest score was on the test. You will then be able to judge how your score compares with the top score. Remember that a number of people might have scored above you even though your score is very good. People will be listed by their scores but the J.A.C. office will not be able to tell you "where you are on that list".

Q: How many people on the Apprenticeship List will be able to begin the Apprenticeship Training?
A: During a two-year period, we currently place approximately 10 to 15 people from the Apprenticeship List. However, we call two to three times that many applicants to go on the interviews.

Q: How will I be notified about a job interview?
A: If your name is one of the top three on the list, when we have an Apprenticeship opening, you will be contacted by phone to schedule an interview. It is, therefore, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you notify the J.A.C. office IMMEDIATELY of any CHANGE IN TELEPHONE NUMBERS. The J.A.C. does NOT NOTIFY BY MAIL.

Q: How many people will go on an interview for an Apprenticeship job?
A: We are allowed to call three people at a time for each job interview.

Q: Will I have to join the Union if I become an apprentice?
A: YES. The Apprenticeship Program is union and employer-supported. You will be required to join the Operating and Maintenance Engineers, Local 501.

Q: Does it cost anything to be in the Apprenticeship Program?
A: The only cost to you to enter the Apprenticeship Program is the Local 501-initiation fee and your monthly Union dues. The Local 501 Joint Apprenticeship Committee pays for all your classroom training and books.

Q: How much are dues?
A: After paying your initiation fee, your Union Dues will average out to be about two and one-half hours of work each month, plus the International Union per capita tax of about $7.00 a month. For example, if you start at $10.00 per hour, you will be paying union dues of $27.00 per month.

Q: If I took the Apprenticeship test before, why do I have to take it again?
A: The State of California law requires that we have a NEW LIST of applicants every two years.

Q: I took the test two years ago. Why do I have to bring in verification of diploma, birth certificate, etc. again?
A: State law requires that you provide us with your birth certificate, high school diploma, etc. EACH TIME you apply to take the Apprenticeship Test.

Q: I passed the test the last time I took it. Why didn’t I get called?
A: When we have an apprentice opening, we call the top three people on the Apprenticeship List to go for an interview. People are placed on the Apprenticeship List according to their test scores. The people with the top scores will have the best chance of being called to go on an interview and become an Apprentice during the two-year period.

Q: I scored extremely high on the test; why wasn’t I called for an interview?
A: The number of people called from the Apprenticeship List for interviews is based on the number of apprentice positions that become available during the two years that the test is valid. If you are in the low end of the top scorers and only 10 jobs open up during the two-year period, you may not be called.

Q: When will I hear that I’m in the Apprenticeship Program?
A: You will not hear from the J.A.C. office unless you are called to go on an interview. YOU BECOME AN APPRENTICE IF YOU GO ON AN INTERVIEW AND ARE HIRED. Since your test scores are valid for two years, it is important for you to notify the J.A.C. office of any change in telephone numbers. If we find that your phone number is invalid when we call you for an interview, a notation will be made on your records that we were unable to reach you and we will call the next person on the list. We give you 24-hours to respond to our phone call.

Q: Do I have to accept an interview with any company you send me to?
A: No. BUT your refusal will be noted in your file and unless you give good cause as to why you do not wish to go on said interview (being too far away is NOT just cause), we will continue going down the list.

Q: Should I phone in every few months to find out where I am on the list?
A: We will contact you by phone to inform you of an interview. The J.A.C. office staff cannot tell you where you are on the list or when or if you will be contacted.
Q: How far down the Apprenticeship List will you get?
A: The number of apprentice positions is dependent on the number of apprentice openings with participating employers during the two-year period when the Apprenticeship is valid.

Q: How long does the Apprenticeship training last?
A: The Stationary Engineers’ Apprenticeship is a FOUR-YEAR training program. During the four years, you will be working 40-hours a week learning from experienced engineers and going to classes up to two-nights a week during each semester.

Q: I have taken classes in stationary engineering at another school (i.e. L.A.T.T.C.). Will those classes count toward my apprenticeship schooling?
A: If you have taken classes that are related to your job and training, you must tell the J.A.C. office and provide them with a transcript from the school you attended. You may also be asked to provide a "course outline" of the classes you attended. It is then up to the Committee to decide if the classes you’ve taken are acceptable. You will be responsible for letting the J.A.C. know about any pertinent, previous classes you taken.

Q: If credit is given for previous classes pertaining to the field of Stationary Engineering, will this enable me to graduate the Apprenticeship at an earlier date.
A: Even if credit for previous classes is given to you, you will NOT graduate from the Apprenticeship Program at an earlier date. If you complete all the required classes early, you will take "electives" which will be approved by the Apprenticeship Coordinator and the Joint Apprenticeship Committee.

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