Union Construction Academy of Maine: Application 2026
Are you looking for a career that offers excellent pay and benefits for you and your family? Do you want to earn while you learn from experienced instructors, as you build skills that will lead to long-term economic stability? If so, we invite you to apply for the Union Construction Academy of Maine, a  a Registered Pre-apprenticeship program that offers a range of pathways into Registered Apprenticeships with Maine's Building & Construction Trades Unions. Registered Apprenticeships are your entry to point to good union job in construction, that provide an opportunity to earn great pay while you learn from experienced instructors in the field and the classroom. 

We are currently accepting applications for five session in 2026. The multi-trades programs are four weeks long, and provide a general introduction to hands-on skills in multiple trades, as well as five industry-recognized credentials including OSHA-10 and First-Aid/CPR that will help participants to be competitive when they apply for a wide range of union apprenticeships. For the first time in 2026, we are also offering two-week intensive sessions that offer participants specialized training that will prepare them particular trade. 
  • Carpenters pre-apprenticeship, March 16-26, UBC 349 in Portland
  • Multi-trades pre-apprenticeship, April 26-May 21, Multiple training locations in Portland
  • Ironworkers pre-apprenticeship, May 4-15, at Ironworkers Local 7 in Clinton
  • Multi-trades pre-apprenticeship, June 8-July 2, Portland Area Technical High School (PATHS)
  • Laborers pre-apprenticeship, August 31-September 18, Portland & Hopkinton, MA

Please note that due to strong demand and limited spots within our program, our application process is highly competitive. The more information you can provide in response to the questions below, the stronger your application will be. Applications with missing information or incomplete responses will not be considered.

Sign in to Google to save your progress. Learn more
Email *
Which of the following sessions are you interested in applying to attend? Check all options that you would like us to consider you for. 
Name *
What is your date of birth? Please note that union apprenticeships require you to be at least 18 years old by the time you enroll.
*
MM
/
DD
/
YYYY
Gender (optional)
Race (optional)
Address *
City

 *
Zip Code *
Phone Number *
What is the best way to contact you? *
Do you have a High School Diploma or GED/Hi-Set?
*
If you are currently a High School student, what is your expected date of graduation?
Have you completed any educational programs or degrees after High School? Check any that apply
If you checked any of the boxes above regarding education/training after high school, please provide the name of the institution, degree, or certificate in the space below.
Do you have a valid Maine Driver's License? *
Do you have your own car, or consistent access to a car or other transportation you can use to drive to job sites? Having a car is not required to participate in the program, but your ability to travel may impact the work opportunities available to you once you begin an apprenticeship.
Clear selection
Are you willing and able to drive an hour or more to a job site?
Clear selection
Are you a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder?

PLEASE NOTE: Answering *NO* does not eliminate you from consideration but will help us to determine where you might be a fit, as some positions are only able to accept individuals with citizenship.
 *
Do you have a criminal record? If yes, please use the space below to share any information that you would like us to know about this -- for example, the context, date, and steps you have taken since conviction to move yourself in a positive direction.

PLEASE NOTE: This question is OPTIONAL. Answering yes, i.e. that you have a criminal record, does not eliminate you from consideration for our program but will help us to determine what positions you may be eligible for, as some positions are not able to accept individuals with felony convictions. We do our best to connect all program participants with pathways to employment.
What language(s) do you speak?
*
If you are not a native English speaker, what is the highest level of English you have completed at adult education? Please be prepared to provide verification if requested. 
Clear selection
If you are not a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder, do you have a valid work permit?
Clear selection
If you do not have a valid work permit, you may use the space below to offer any information about the status of your Application for Employment Authorization. Please be as specific as possible (e.g. date when you expect to receive your work permit):
Are you currently employed?  *
If you are currently employed, please describe your title and role in the space below.
What is your current hourly wage? (Optional)
Most first-year Union apprentices receive starting pay around $20/h, and receive contractually guaranteed pay increases at regular intervals as they complete training and gain skills. For most Unions, apprentices begin earning excellent benefits (healthcare, pension, etc.) after a short trial period. Are you willing and able to start work at $20/h for an apprenticeship, recognizing that pay and benefits will increase on a regular basis per the Union's Collective Bargaining agreement as you build your skill set? 
*
Do you currently have health insurance coverage? 
Clear selection
Have you ever been a member of a labor union?
Clear selection
Do you have previous experience in construction? No previous experience in construction is required for our program, but it can help us to identify which opportunities you may be most interested in and helps us to plan our training.
Our pre-apprenticeship offers instruction in basic construction math, but many trades (e.g. electricians, plumbers, elevator constructors) require additional skills and math education. To help us identify which trades you may be well-suited for after our program, please check any math courses you have taken in the space below.
Please describe your previous employment experience. What jobs have you worked in, and for how long? If this apprenticeship would be your first employment, please note that.
What construction trades are you most interested in?  Check your top three.
Most construction jobs start at 7 am, with the expectation you will arrive by 6:45 am so that you are ready to go. Do you expect this to pose any difficulties for you?
Clear selection
Do you have a fear of heights? Please note: this does not preclude you from participating in an apprenticeship, but can help us to determine which trades may be the best fit for you.
Clear selection
Most construction jobs require hard, physical work for shifts of eight or more hours (some jobs are on a 4 10 hour shift schedule), in all different weather conditions. Our Unions need individuals who have a strong work ethic who will show up reliably, day in and day out to work to get the job done. In the space below, please tell us about a time you did hard physical work, or share other information that can help us to get a sense of your work ethic.
 *
In the space below, please explain why you are interested in entering an apprenticeship with a Building and Construction Trade Union. Providing more information below will give you a better chance of receiving a follow-up interview.
*
[OPTIONAL] In the space below, please list any professional references who can vouch for your work ethic and reliability.
How did you learn about the Union Construction Academy?
Clear selection
Please use the space below to share anything else you would like us to know about to help you succeed in the program (e.g. do you have childcare needs, immigration appointments, transportation challenges, etc.).
Submit
Clear form
Never submit passwords through Google Forms.
This form was created inside of Maine AFL-CIO.

Does this form look suspicious? Report

Google Forms