--- title: "How to Get an Apprenticeship in the Trades | ShapeMyCareer" description: "How to land a trade apprenticeship: picking programs, meeting requirements, the aptitude test, the interview and what to do if you are waitlisted." url: https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/how-to-get-an-apprenticeship/ updated: 2026-10-10 site: ShapeMyCareer --- Apprenticeships ยท Getting in # How to get an apprenticeship The application process, one step at a time. Step-by-step Good apprenticeships get more applicants than they have seats. The people who get in are not always the strongest; they are the ones who applied on time, prepared for the test and showed up to the interview ready to talk about work. In short To get an apprenticeship, pick a trade, find the programs that train it near you, and learn when each one takes applications. Gather your diploma or GED, transcript and driver's license, then prepare for the aptitude test, which usually covers algebra and reading. Strong interview answers and any related work experience move you up the ranking list. Apply to more than one program. **Sources checked October 10, 2026** Pay, training and outlook come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay is the middle (median) figure nationally; your first paycheck in the trade will usually be lower. Step 1 ### Pick the trade Spend a day reading about two or three trades, or talk to people who do them. Programs ask why you want this trade, so have a real answer. Step 2 ### Find the programs Search the [Apprenticeship.gov job finder](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-job-finder), then look up your local union training center and the merit shop associations for that trade. Step 3 ### Learn the application window Some union centers take applications year-round; others open for a few weeks a year. Write the dates down. Step 4 ### Gather documents Most ask for a diploma or GED, a transcript showing you passed algebra, ID, a driver's license and sometimes a birth certificate. Step 5 ### Prepare for the test Aptitude tests are usually math and reading. A few weeks of practice makes a real difference. Start with our [test prep guides](https://shapemycareer.com/test-prep/). Step 6 ### Interview Expect questions about reliability, safety, teamwork and why this trade. Dress clean, show up early, bring copies of your documents. Step 7 ### Follow up If you are ranked but not called, ask how long the list runs and what would raise your score. ## Requirements you will run into | Requirement | How common | Notes | |---|---|---| | Age 18 (sometimes 17) | Nearly all construction programs | Federal minimum is 16, but jobsite rules push most programs higher | | High school diploma or GED | Nearly all | Our [GED page](https://shapemycareer.com/ged/) explains how to finish one | | One year of algebra | Most electrical and plumbing programs | Some accept a placement test instead | | Aptitude test | Most union programs, many others | Math and reading comprehension | | Driver's license and transportation | Most | Jobsites move around | | Drug test | Nearly all | Usually before you are placed with a contractor | ## Raising your ranking Programs often score applicants on the test, the interview and extra points for things like related work, military service, completed pre-apprenticeship programs and math classes. If you did not make the cut, a [pre-apprenticeship](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/pre-apprenticeship/) or a helper job with a contractor in that trade can raise your score next time. Direct entry is real. Many union programs let people who already have trade experience, veterans or pre-apprenticeship graduates skip parts of the line. Ask each program whether it has a direct entry path. ### Want to start with school instead? Some people take a short trade program first to stand out. Tell us your trade and ZIP to see options. [Find training near me](#smc-form) ## Straight answers ### How hard is it to get into an apprenticeship? It depends on the local. Popular electrical programs can have several applicants for every opening, while others fill more easily. Applying to more than one program helps. ### Can I get an apprenticeship with no experience? Yes. Apprenticeships are built for beginners. Experience helps your ranking, but it is not required. ### What if I fail the aptitude test? Most programs let you retest after a waiting period, often several months. Use the time to practice math and reading. ### Do I need to go to trade school first? No. Trade school can help you get hired or ranked higher, but apprenticeships do not require it. ## Where this comes from - [Apprenticeship.gov Apprenticeship Job Finder](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-job-finder) - [DOL: Registered Apprenticeship Program](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/registered-apprenticeship-program) - [29 CFR Part 29: Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-A/part-29) ## Keep looking - [Test prep](https://shapemycareer.com/test-prep/) - [Pre-apprenticeship](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/pre-apprenticeship/) - [Union vs non-union](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/union-vs-non-union/) - [Apprenticeships](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/) - [Apprentice pay calculator](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/apprentice-pay-calculator/) - [Apprentice pay](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/apprentice-pay/) - [Boilermaker apprenticeship](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/boilermaker/) - [Carpenter apprenticeship](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/carpenter/) --- Canonical page: https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/how-to-get-an-apprenticeship/