Apprenticeships
Massachusetts.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
Active Apprentices by Trade
Massachusetts · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 1,904 total
+9 additional trades not shown
BLS OEWS median across 7 metro areas in Massachusetts. Apprentices start at ~40–50% and graduate to full journeyman scale.
Verified Programs
Manually confirmed by PlumbSquare — application status current as of research date
We haven't manually confirmed programs in Massachusetts yet. See the DOL-registered programs below, or search Apprenticeship.gov.
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 30 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund | Millbury | Carpenter | 1,323 | UNION |
BOSTON ELECTRICIANS LOCAL #103 | DORCHESTER | ElectricianIronworker | 1,167 | non-union |
North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund | Millbury | Carpenter | 712 | non-union |
ABC / MAP | Woburn | Sheet Metal WorkerBricklayer/MasonElectrician+11 | 476 | non-union |
PIPEFITTERS LOCAL 537 | Dorchester | HVAC TechnicianPipefitter/Steamfitter | 338 | non-union |
MA & Northern N.E. Laborers' J.A.T.C. | Hopkinton | Laborer | 318 | non-union |
SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL #17 | DORCHESTER | Sheet Metal Worker | 317 | non-union |
ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS LU #4 JATC | DORCHESTER | Elevator Constructor | 249 | non-union |
Boston Plumbers Local #12 | Dorchester | Plumber | 244 | non-union |
Iron Workers Local 7 JATC | S Boston | Ironworker | 241 | non-union |
Finishing Trades Institute of New England | Roslindale | GlazierPainter/Finisher | 189 | non-union |
Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc. | Holliston | Electrician | 145 | non-union |
BOSTON ROOFERS LOCAL #33 | STOUGHTON | Roofer | 110 | non-union |
Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Local 3 | Charlestown | Bricklayer/MasonPainter/Finisher | 102 | non-union |
Hoisting & Portable Engineers Local 4 | Canton | Operating Engineer | 85 | non-union |
SPRINKLER FITTERS LOCAL #550 | W ROXBURY | Sprinkler Fitter | 73 | non-union |
MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board | Springfield | HVAC Technician | 72 | UNION |
Springfield Area Electricians L.U. 7 JATC | SPRINGFIELD | Electrician | 68 | non-union |
Int. Union of Operating Engineers Local 877 | Canton | HVAC TechnicianPipefitter/Steamfitter | 66 | non-union |
SPRINGFIELD PLBRS & PIPEFITTERS L.U. #104 JATC | HOLYOKE | Pipefitter/SteamfitterHVAC TechnicianPlumber | 63 | non-union |
Worcester Electricians J.A.T.P. | Worcester | Electrician | 60 | non-union |
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC. | ATTLEBORO | Pipefitter/SteamfitterHVAC TechnicianElectrician+2 | 56 | non-union |
Sean Woodard | Feeding Hills | Electrician | 56 | UNION |
Brockton Electricians Local 223 | Taunton | Electrician | 55 | non-union |
Heat & Frost Insulators Union | Dorchester | Bricklayer/Mason | 53 | non-union |
New England Carpenters Training Fund - Boston | DORCHESTER | CarpenterBricklayer/Mason | 48 | non-union |
WORCESTER PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS LOCAL #4 | W BOYLSTON | Pipefitter/SteamfitterPlumberHVAC Technician | 44 | non-union |
ENERGY ELECTRIC CO., INC. | Uxbridge | Electrician | 41 | UNION |
ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS LOCAL 41 | SPRINGFIELD | Elevator Constructor | 39 | non-union |
Roofers, Slaters & Waterproofers Local 248 JATC | Chicopee | Roofer | 38 | non-union |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in Massachusetts may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in Massachusetts?
Apply to a JATC or non-union program. Requirements: high school diploma or GED, basic math test, proof of age (18+). Some programs add physical requirements or drug testing. Application windows open and close seasonally — check program status before applying.
Are apprenticeships in Massachusetts free?
Yes. Every DOL-registered apprenticeship is free to attend. Apprentices are employees, not students — you earn a wage from day one. No tuition, no student loans.
Union vs. non-union — which should I choose?
Union JATCs (IBEW, UA, SMART, UBC) typically offer higher wages, defined pension plans, and health insurance. Non-union programs (ABC, IEC) may have faster acceptance and work with open-shop contractors. Both paths are DOL-registered. Apply to both — take whoever accepts you first.
How long is a trade apprenticeship?
Most trades are 4–5 years (8,000–10,000 OJT hours). HVAC programs run 3–4 years. Lineman training is typically 3–4 years with specialized fieldwork. Every year your wage increases — you're earning near journeyman scale by your final year.
Massachusetts Licensing
Massachusetts is an SAA state and is not right-to-work. The Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) licenses electricians through the Board of State Examiners of Electricians and plumbers through the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Sheet metal and refrigeration workers are separately licensed; HVAC installers typically need an electrical or plumbing license depending on scope.