Elevator Constructor at Local 135 Elevator Constructors JAC
at Local 135 Elevator Constructors JAC in Charlotte, NC
About This Program
Local 135 Elevator Constructors JAC in Charlotte, NC offers a union-affiliated registered apprenticeship program for individuals entering the elevator construction trade. Administered through the Joint Apprenticeship Committee of the International Union of Elevator Constructors, this program provides paid training and a well-defined path to journeyman status in a growing regional market.
This four-year, time-based program requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work alongside journeymen on the installation, maintenance, and modernization of elevators, escalators, and related vertical transportation equipment. Classroom instruction covers electrical systems, hydraulic principles, mechanical components, code compliance, and blueprint reading.
Graduates earn journeyman elevator constructor credentials and the advantages of IUEC Local 135 union membership, including negotiated wages, benefits, and access to ongoing professional development. With Charlotte's continued commercial and residential construction growth, qualified elevator constructors are well-positioned for steady, in-demand careers.
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 North Carolina
Elevator Constructors in North Carolina are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by North Carolina Department of Labor, Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau.
View full North Carolinalicensing requirements →Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.