What's the difference between a union and a non-union (merit shop) apprenticeship?

Answer

1. The biggest difference is how you get the job. In a union program, you apply to the training committee. If you are accepted, it places you with one of its contractors. The West Texas Electrical JATC works this way, and its electrical program runs four years. In a non-union (merit shop) program, you usually need a job first. CenTex IEC in Austin says you must be employed by one of its member electrical contractors. ABC South Texas in San Antonio says its program is employer-sponsored, so you must work for a contractor partner to enroll. Costs, schedules and rules differ by program, so check the program's page for current dates.

   Sources: wtxjatc.org, centexiec.com, www.abcsouthtexas.org

   • “If you are accepted into the apprenticeship program, the JATC will place you with one of our sponsoring contractors.” wtxjatc.org ↗
   • “The electrical apprenticeship course consists of a minimum of 8000 hours of on the job training and 720 hours of in class training over four years.” wtxjatc.org ↗
   • “Employed by a CenTex IEC Electrical Contractor Member.” centexiec.com ↗
   • “The apprenticeship is employer-sponsored, so participants must be employed by a contractor partner to enroll.” www.abcsouthtexas.org ↗

   Answered by SkillsTradeJobs team · October 28, 2026

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