Wages & Benefits
When does healthcare coverage begin?
New apprentices are eligible for healthcare benefits after they have worked a total of 130 Metro hours or 135 12-County hours. Hour reporting is delayed by a one-month period, so for example: if you hit 130 total hours in July, your hours would be reported to the Benefits Office in August, and your healthcare benefits would begin on September 1st.
Work
I just got laid off. What do I do?
Call the JATC within 24 hours of your layoff. If we have open calls we will send you back out to another shop immediately. If no calls are available, you will be added to the Out of Work (OOW) List and can apply for unemployment benefits while you wait. You can sign the physical OOW book the next time you’re at the JATC for school. For full details, see the Layoff Info page.
I’m on the Out of Work book. How do I go back out to work?
The JATC will call you when a job becomes available for you. Apprentices must be available by phone between the hours of 8am-4pm every weekday excluding holidays to take a call. If the JATC calls an apprentice and the phone is not answered, the JATC will issue a call strike. The JATC will then call the next available apprentice. If the apprentice calls back during the same day, the apprentice will still be eligible to take the on-the-job assignment or another call if still available.
How do transfers work?
To help ensure diversity of training, apprentices are transferred from one employer to another at the completion of a continuous six months of employment for the first 36 months of apprenticeship. After this period, apprentices may request a transfer from their current shop if they have worked a minimum of 6 months there by submitting a Transfer Request Form.
School
When do I attend school?
Apprentices attend school one day per week from September to May, excluding holiday weeks. See 2026-2027 Academic Calendar. Class runs from 7:00am to 3:30pm at the JATC. In August, apprentices are contacted regarding class registration for the upcoming school year and register for their preferred school day via their JATC online account.
Can I take Continuing Education classes?
Apprentices are welcome to take some Continuing Education classes during the apprenticeship. Options such as Conduit Bending and Welding are open to all interested apprentices. Some classes require more advanced base knowledge before attending, so they are only open to higher year students. Building Automation and Medium Voltage Cable Splicing, are open to apprentices entering 4th year or above, while PLC and Instrumentation are open to 5th year students only. Some classes are already included as part of the apprenticeship curriculum and should not be taken separately as they would be redundant: First Aid, CPR, AED Training (completed annually 1st-5th year), 2 Hour NEC Changes/Review (completed annually on the first day of school 1st-5th year), OSHA 10 (completed prior to 1st year), OSHA 30 (completed as part of 3rd year), Foreman/Leadership (completed as part of 5th year), and EVITP 4.0 (completed as part of 5th year).
General Questions
I am moving out of state. Is it possible to transfer my apprenticeship?
It is possible upon mutual agreement between our JATC and the JATC you would like to transfer into. To request a transfer, you will need to write a letter to our Committee and the Committee at the JATC you are attempting to transfer to. If both sides approve, then the process can begin.
Can I utilize my GI Bill® benefits as an Apprentice?
Yes. Both federal and state GI Bill® benefits are available to veterans and individuals who qualify. For more information, contact Anna at 763-307-8578 or amarx@mplsjatc.org.