Frankfort, NY (March 17, 2014) – The Empire State Highway Contractors Association, Inc., will conduct a recruitment from April 2, 2014 through March 4, 2015 for four carpenter (heavy highway) apprentices, four operating engineer (grading & paving equipment) apprentices, and seven skilled construction craft laborer apprentices, State Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera announced today.

Please note that the openings listed for apprentices represent the total number for seven recruitment regions – the Capital District, Central, Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley, North Country, and Southern Tier regions.

Applications can be obtained at The Empire State Highway Contractors Association, 2481 Higby Road, Frankfort, NY from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period.  Applications may also be obtained online at www.empirestatehighwaycontractors.org.  Applications can only be submitted on the first Wednesday of the month, excluding legal holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the same location, during the recruitment period.  All applications must be received no later than March 11, 2015.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (such as TASC or GED).
• Must be willing to submit to a physical, at the expense of the sponsor, after selection and prior to indenture. 
• Must be willing to submit to a drug screening, at the expense of the sponsor, after selection and prior to indenture.
• Must submit a signed affidavit stating that he/she is physically able to do the work of the trade, which includes:
  • Lifting and carrying materials weighing at least 50 pounds (some jobs require no heavy lifting while others will require heavy lifting on a daily basis).
• Must have a valid driver’s license to operate company vehicles.
• Must have reliable means of transportation to and from various job sites and related instruction.  Related instruction classes will be held in Frankfort, NY.
• Must provide military transfer card or discharge form DD-214, if applicable, after selection and prior to indenture.

For further information, applicants should contact their nearest New York State Department of Labor office or The Empire State Highway Contractors Association at (315) 895-5303.

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner.  Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status.  Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs.  Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.