District Council 16 staff receives dispatch requests for Apprentices quite frequently. It is imperative that you call into your Local Union and add yourself to the Out-of-Work List as soon as you are laid off. Even if what you’re hearing out in the field is that work is slow and no one is hiring, call in and let your Local know you are out of work.

There are multiple avenues for employment for apprentices that are on the Out-of-Work List. Not only are there opportunities with signatory Union Contractors, CA state law also requires 20% of all hours on public works projects to be completed by Apprentices registered in a state certified apprenticeship program. This means YOU! These dispatches are only fulfilled with apprentices that are on the Out-of-Work List. A lot of these dispatches only last for a day to a couple weeks which is a great way to bridge the gap while waiting for a Signatory Contractor to send in an Apprentice request.

Also make sure that all of your information is up to date with your Local Union so that you can be reached when these dispatch requests come in.

Regards,

Troy Notrangelo
Business Representative
IUPAT/District Council 16
Painters and Drywall Finishers