The recommended prerequisites for high school students include construction courses, shop courses, and mathematics courses. Geometry and algebra are used by lathers daily. Mechanical drawing, and general vocational technical training are considered useful.

Completion of high school classes do not count for hours in the apprenticeship program, but the experience and classes taken are valuable in building students’ skill sets.

A two-year diploma is not required to qualify for a lather apprenticeship. Lather apprenticeship programs, usually in the form of carpentry apprenticeships are available through community and technical colleges and are sponsored by unions and contractor organizations. Connect with Lathers Metro Apprentice JATC Local 190; call 612-332-4348, to confirm credits transfer before enrolling.

Lather apprenticeships consist of approximately three-to-four years of paid training in which apprentices receive both on-the-job practical training and classroom instruction. The apprenticeship requires 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 classroom training hours each year.

By the end of their training, lathers learn carpentry basics, blueprint reading, mathematics, building code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. They also may receive specialized training in creating and setting concrete forms, rigging, welding, scaffold building, working within confined workspaces, and fall protection. After finishing an apprenticeship, lathers are considered ‘journey workers’ and may begin to work independently.

Skilled lathers rely on training, an eye for architecture, and years of experience to deliver projects that meet demanding specifications. They use everything from wire, screws, nails, clips, staples, metal studs, metal lath, and drywall to build frameworks that are often covered by plaster, drywall materials, or other finishes. Attention to detail, customer service skills and being in good physical shape are important for a lather’s success.

High school students preparing to become a lather apprentice should seek out part-time jobs that require being physically fit such as landscaping or sheetrock work. Knowledge of tools such as the experience one gets working at a local hardware store is beneficial to a future lather apprentice’s experience.

Military members applying for a lather apprenticeship should reach out to www.helmetstohardhards.org to be connected with job opportunities.