Routes to Becoming an Elevator Mechanic: Union Vs Non-Union Apprenticeships

The National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) is an educational trust fund working in tandem with the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC).

In simple terms, it is the proprietary apprenticeship program for those wishing to become union elevator techs in the United States and Canada.

NEIEP is a 4-5-year program that involves approximately 8,000 hours of hands-on training with other union mechanics, as well as once-weekly class sessions totaling 144 hours over the entire period.

Though the first few months are probationary (meaning you can still be let go for failing to meet your obligations), it is, overall, a stable job opportunity. You will be paid throughout the entire apprenticeship and, upon completion, be eligible for union jobs across the country.

To become an apprentice through the NEIEP program, you first have to register online through the IUEC.

Each chapter (called "local") of the elevator union manages its own recruitment, so if you want to know when your local is opening up apprenticeship slots, you can keep up with it directly. That said, you can also see an aggregated list of all locals and their recruitment windows on the NEIEP website.

Before you apply, make sure you have:

• A high-school diploma or equivalent (GED). You will need to have this handy because a copy must be attached to your application form.
• At least 17 years of age at application
• Authorization to work in the US.

You do not need any previous work experience, although having it may help you during the interview stage later.

Most locals have recruitment drives between once every few months and once every two years. During those drives, you will take the EIAT test (at a testing fee of $25), and sit for a 15-20 minute interview. Candidates who pass both are assigned a hiring list number. Those who did best on their interviews will have higher numbers.

Your number determines how fast (or slow) you will receive an offer to start working as an apprentice.

NEIEP is not the only way to train for an elevator tech job.

Non-signatory employers (companies not working with the elevator union) offer their own training, often customized to their needs.

While differing between companies in terms of pay and instruction level, these apprenticeship programs are all taken through the National Association of Elevator Contractors, whose Certified Elevator Technician (CET) four-year apprenticeship is structured, standardized, recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, and even recognized for housing allowance eligibility for veterans with a GI bill.

All this is to say, this is a legitimate way to get into the industry.

So which option is better? let's weigh the pros and cons:

Broadly speaking, the elevator union is one of the strongest in the country and offers stability, higher pay, and better benefits. However, the recruitment process can take several months.

Non-union apprenticeships carry a different kind of perk: you can get started as soon as you're accepted. This might be good for those who need to get paid now.

Let's get into more detail about the differences between both options:

• Better Pay: According to Forbes and Construction Coverage, elevator mechanics earn higher wages than any other blue-collar job in America, with a median annual pay of $106,580 (though exact figures vary by location for union jobs).
  This is in large part due to the trade's strong union. The IUEC has also negotiated a 3-3.4% fixed annual increase to safeguard against inflation.
  Union apprentices don't earn the full amount that journeymen do. Instead, they earn an incrementally increasing percentage, starting at 40% to 50% on year one and slowly growing from there. Still, union jobs largely hold more promise for meaningful future salaries.
• Benefits: For non-union workers, benefits depend largely on the hiring company. Often enough, though, the benefits aren't as strong. Contractors working with the IUEC must provide an employer-funded health plan, pension plan, and a 401(k) annuity fund.
• College Credits - NEIEP is partnered with certain higher-education institutions where you can receive credit for your training. Talk to your local directly if this interests you.
• Job Security - As is typically the case with union jobs, you can only be fired if the employer can demonstrate just cause. This may not be the case for every non-union job.
• Safety - Elevator mechanics face many of the same perils as other construction workers, including working at heights, blunt-force injuries from heavy equipment, and other risks. Just like with most construction work, data shows that workers are less likely to be involved in a work accident while working a union job. This can be explained by more rigorous safety-forward training during the apprenticeship itself, as well as higher on-site safety standards negotiated by the union.
• Portable Credentials: Should you ever choose to relocate, it'll me easier to find a new job as a union member.

The main advatages have to do with the difficulty in getting into a union apprenticeship:

• NEIEP can be hard to get into: To become a union apprentice, you must pass the recruitment process and await an offer, depending on your position on the hiring list.
  If you fail the recruitment process, it can be months or years before you can reapply. In such cases, it may be a good idea to look for a non-signatory company that does not offer jobs exclusivity to union members.
• The Recruitment Process for NEIEP can be long: Even if you make it through the entire procedure, it can still be several months before you start working.

Other, more minor advantages include:

• Membership Fees: Though not significant, elevator technicians working union jobs will have to pay an initiation fee of $1000 and additional monthly charges. Failing to pay your dues may lead to a demotion from a good-standing member to a non-good-standing member.
  In free-to-work states, you don't have to stay a member even if you trained through the NEIEP apprenticeship. However, so long as you work for a company that's partnered with the union, you sill still have to pay a small monthly fee to cover bargaining costs. 
• Overtime: Union jobs require you to be on-call beyond work hours for emergencies. This is often true of non-union jobs as well, but the specifics depend on the employer.
• Firing Order: If you are working somewhere where you are not a permanent resident, the union’s official negotiated layoff order states that you, a “transient” worker, will be first to get laid off in case of workforce reductions.
• Drug Tests: As a member, you may be subject to drug and alcohol testing if your employer believes there is probable cause. Failing can lead to mandatory rehab or even being fired. 
• Niche Training: If you want to get into the world of private residence lifts, the National Association of Elevator Contractors offers a more specialized program: the Certified Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician (CAT) apprenticeship. 

Lastly, another point to consider is that you can always enter the industry through a non-union job and join the union at a later time. There are two ways of doing this:

• Unionizing: You and your coworkers can contact an IUEC local and become members.
• Starting from scratch: Even as a trained elevator mechanic, you can apply for NEIEP. In such a case, you can request recognition of your past experience and have parts of your training waived. If you do this, you must bring your past experience up dufing your interview, as IUEC regulations require training exemptions to be agreed upon before signing.

If you have time to wait, getting into NEIEP offers the best pay and most stability.

If you need work now, it may be better to choose a non-union job – but make sure you choose well and talk to people inside the company before making a decision, because good benefits and training are not ensured.

If you are going for the IUEC apprenticeship, practicing for the EIAT exam can make a tremendous difference, especially if it's been a while since you've touched on math and mechanical principles.