Elevator Constructor at Jac Int Union Elevator Constructors - Local 51
at Jac Int Union Elevator Constructors - Local 51 in Mechanicsville, VA
About This Program
The Joint Apprenticeship Committee of the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 51 sponsors a union Elevator Constructor apprenticeship in Mechanicsville, VA. This JATC program is cooperatively managed by labor and management to deliver rigorous, standards-based training for one of the construction industry's most skilled trades. Apprentices receive pay from their first day in the program.
The four-year apprenticeship includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work in the field installing, maintaining, repairing, and modernizing elevators, escalators, and related lifting equipment under the direction of journeymen. Classroom coursework covers electrical theory, hydraulic and mechanical systems, safety regulations, and code requirements.
Graduates earn journeyman status through IUEC Local 51 and are recognized as fully qualified Elevator Constructors. Union membership provides access to negotiated wages, benefits, and job protections, while the JATC's established reputation in the Virginia market supports strong employment prospects for graduates entering the trade.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$47
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
4 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Elevator Constructor Career Outlook
National Median
$46.56/hr
~$96,844.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$25/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Elevator constructor employment is projected to grow faster than average, driven by new high-rise construction, elevator modernization requirements, and building code changes mandating accessibility upgrades. The small size of the workforce relative to the installed base of equipment means strong job security. Aging elevator systems in major cities require ongoing modernization, creating sustained demand.
What to Expect as an Elevator Constructor Apprentice
Duration
4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Elevator Constructor
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in Virginia
Elevator Constructors in Virginia are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Division of Building and Fire Regulation, Elevator Safety Unit.
View full Virginialicensing requirements →Reviews
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