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Laborer Apprenticeship
Construction Craft Laborer Apprenticeship

What Does a Construction Laborer Do?
What Are the Working Conditions?
How is the Training Structured?
What are the Application Requirements?
What Skills Should I Possess?
Who Do I Contact?
Additional Resources

Did you know?*

*Statistics retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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What Does a Construction Laborer Do?

Construction craft laborers perform a wide range of non-special trade construction work including semi-skilled and unskilled tasks. Work performed is often physical and manual in nature, such as digging, loading, unloading, lifting, carrying, lugging, tending, stockpiling, sweeping and cleaning. Laborers are employed in all areas of construction, including commercial and residential new building; highway, bridge, tunnel, and shaft construction; large industrial and environmental restoration projects; and various restoration and demolition jobs.

In highway and road construction, laborers work to clear and prepare sites for construction; help to check site preparations against blueprint specifications regarding locations and grades; complete finish work after the paving material has been spread; perform necessary site clean-up of debris and waste materials and perform traffic control functions. Construction craft laborers do demolition work on existing buildings and structures and perform environmental clean-up on job sites containing hazardous waste, asbestos, lead-based paint and low-level radiation. Laborers operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. They also clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble and debris. They may also assist other craft workers.

Tasks:

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What Are the Working Conditions?

Most laborers perform physically demanding work. They may lift and carry heavy objects, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl in awkward positions. Some work at great heights, confined spaces, and outdoors in all weather conditions. Some jobs may expose workers to hazardous materials or chemicals, fumes, odors, loud noise or dangerous machinery. Laborers wear appropriate safety clothing including gloves, hard hats, protective chemical suits and devices to protect their eyes, respiratory system and hearing. Travel maybe required, including overnight.

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How is the Training Structured?

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What are the Application Requirements?

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What Skills Should I Possess?

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Who Should I Contact In My Area?

Choose your area:
Northeast
Northwest
Southeast
Southwest

Northeast

Committee Name Contact This Committee: OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin 5330 Wall St.
Madison, WI 53718
Phone: (608) 244-6056
Fax: (608) 244-2401
Kathy O'Sullivan
Jane Kramer
Fox Valley Area Laborer JAC 4633 LIUNA Way STE 100
De Forest, WI 53532
Phone: (608) 846-5768
Fax: (608) 846-3862
Burt Harding

Northwest

Committee Name Contact This Committee: OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin 5330 Wall St.
Madison, WI 53718
Phone: (608) 244-6056
Fax: (608) 244-2401
Kathy O'Sullivan
Northwest WI Construction Craft Laborer JAC 4633 LIUNA Way STE 100
De Forest, WI 53532
Phone: (608) 846-5768
Fax: (608) 846-3862
Myra Stachowicz

Southeast

Committee Name Contact This Committee: OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin 5330 Wall St.
Madison, WI 53718
Phone: (608) 244-6056
Fax: (608) 244-2401
Jane Kramer
Mary Harrington
South Central Construction Craft Laborers JAC 4633 LIUNA Way STE 100
De Forest, WI 53532
Phone: (608) 846-5768
Fax: (608) 846-3862
Mary Pierce
SE WI Construction Craft Laborers JAC 4633 LIUNA Way STE 100
De Forest, WI 53532
Phone: (608) 846-5768
Fax: (608) 846-3862
Bob Scheldroup

Southwest

Committee Name Contact This Committee: OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin 5330 Wall St.
Madison, WI 53718
Phone: (608) 244-6056
Fax: (608) 244-2401
Kathy O'Sullivan
SW WI Area Construction Craft Laborers JAC 4633 LIUNA Way STE 100
De Forest, WI 53532
Phone: (608) 846-5768
Fax: (608) 846-3862
Kathy O'Sullivan

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Additional Resources

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains information on all occupations. For more information on the Construction Craft Laborer trade in the United States, visit:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos248.htm

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Sources: Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Position Descriptions,
Apprenticeship in Wisconsin Handbook


 Updated September 16, 2009
 Content Contact: Apprenticeship Staff