UVA Multicraft Apprenticeship Program
Location
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
Category
Facilities, Operations, Hospitality, Trades & Engineering
The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia
Job Id
R0071208
Job Type
Full time
Join the UVA Multicraft Apprenticeship Program!
Are you passionate about working with your hands and eager to learn new skills? The University of Virginia’s Facilities Management team is excited to announce openings for our Multicraft Apprenticeship Program! For over 40 years, this program has provided a unique opportunity to gain trade skills through full-time, on-the-job learning.
This year, candidates will enter the program in a pre-designated track: Plumber, HVAC Mechanic, or Electrician. For the first two years, participants will build a strong foundation in general multi-craft maintenance skills, learning the basics of all three trades. This broad training prepares you for the more specialized work to come. In the final two years, participants will focus exclusively on their chosen trade—Plumbing, HVAC, or Electrical—gaining in-depth, hands-on experience. Upon completion, graduates will have two certifications: one as a Multi-Craft Maintenance Mechanic and another in their specialized trade. While prior work experience is helpful, it is not required.
Every minimally qualified applicant, who submits all required application materials, will undergo a phone screening to determine their suitability for the program, based on their employability skills, including initiative, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership potential, as well as their aptitude and drive.
Why Join Us?
Diverse Learning Opportunities: Train to become a skilled Maintenance Mechanic, Electrician, Plumber, or HVAC Mechanic. You’ll support new construction and maintain essential equipment and systems.
Comprehensive Training: We provide all the training, courses, tools, safety gear, and uniforms you need at no cost.
Career Growth: This one-year, restricted position, can be renewed annually based on your performance. You’ll have regular checkpoints to track your progress and skill development.
Inclusive Environment: We value initiative, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership.
What You’ll Do:
Engage in practical experience across various craft occupations through structured on-the-job training and educational courses, developing increasing familiarity with the skills and best practices of assigned trade.
Assist skilled journey level mechanics in performing routine system maintenance, preventative maintenance, building, construction, equipment repair and related tasks.
Learn essential safety, health, and job skills for construction and maintenance performing all work in accordance with safety and health rules and procedures, such as OSHA, federal, state, and local regulations.
Actively communicate with the Apprenticeship Program, on the job mentor, and the supervisor of assigned area.
Dynamic Work Environment and Conditions:
Employees are required to lift weights up to 50 lbs. and climb ladders and stairs to complete tasks. The job requires repetitive motion using both hands. Employees must also be able to work in extreme temperatures, at heights up to 30 feet, and in confined spaces, carrying tools and parts as needed.
The working hours for these positions are usually Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm.
Occasional evening, night, or weekend work may be necessary due to scheduled overtime or to address emergency situations, including adverse weather conditions; snow duty is mandatory during such events.
Minimum Requirements:
Education: Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent by the start date of the position.
Ability to read, comprehend, and communicate clearly in the language at minimum of a 9th grade level.
Applicants must be a minimum of 16 years of age by the start date of this position.
Pass comprehensive reference and background checks.
Health Screening/Vaccination: This position requires compliance with UVA Health Policy OCH-002.
:
This is a non-exempt, benefit-eligible position with paid vacation and holidays. Employees benefits package highlights include:
Starting salary of $20.00/hour.
22 days of paid time off, increasing with service; 15+ paid holidays each year, in addition to paid time off; Parental and Community Service Leave.
Health plan options.
Retirement through the Virginia Retirement System.
Employee wellness program with activities to earn up to $500/year.
Ready to Apply?
The online application deadline is May 15, 2025. The program is slated to begin in mid-August 2025.
Please apply online, and search for R0071208. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs.’ All applicants are required to complete an online application. Complete an application online with the following documents:
Cover letter
Resume
Letter of Recommendation (can be from current/former managers, volunteer supervisors, teachers/professors, etc.)
Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.
References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. A minimum of three references are required.
For information about the apprenticeship and training please contact: 434-297-6379 or fm-apprenticeship@virginia.edu.
For information about the application process or general questions about employment at the University, please contact Jessica Speth, Academic Recruiter, js9rk@virginia.edu.
The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physicians Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person’s perspectives and lived experience. We are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.

Learn more