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Next TIP Orientation will be April 1st 2023! Learn more about TIP here!

San Mateo County union community alliance
  • Home
  • TIP San Mateo
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact Us

What is TIP?

San Mateo County Union Community Alliance and Local Apprenticeship Programs offer a certificated, Apprenticeship-Readiness Training course that will prepare trainees to enter a green construction career ladder through state certified joint apprenticeship training programs. The program lasts approximately 20 weeks, with classes twice a week from 6-9pm (see FAQs for schedule).


The TIP Program includes the following:


  • 4 Certifications: CPR/First Aid card, OSHA 10 card, Trades Introduction Program Certificate, National Building Trades Certificate
  • Blueprint Reading & Technology
  • Tool Identification and Practical Application
  • Basic Construction Math
  • American Labor History 
  • Knowledge of the Unions in Construction/Building Trades
  • Presentations from 12+ local building trades
  • Roles of Building Trades Professionals
  • Job-site Attitudes and Behaviors
  • Local Union Code of Conduct
  • Union Membership, Apprenticeship Roles and Responsibilities
  • Green Construction
  • Construction Industry Awareness 


UPCOMING ORIENTATIONS FOR JULY-DEC 2023 COHORT

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Support The San Mateo Trades Introduction Program

$25.00
Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card


Frequently Asked Questions

Please email us at jenni@smcuca.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Participants must: 

-be at least 18 years old by graduation of their session.

-have a valid driver's license

-have appropriate documentation to work in the US

-have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent 

-be able to do physical work

-have the ability to pass on-the-spot drug testing 


1. You must attend a 3-hour MANDATORY orientation (orientations run several times throughout the year- see the "upcoming events" link above for the next orientation date)

2. At the end of orientation, you will be given an application to fill out immediately

3. When you turn in your completed application, you will be given an interview date within the following two weeks

4. If accepted into the program, you will receive a letter with further instructions within the following 3 weeks 


No. You don't even need to know how to use a hammer!


The next class session will begin in July 2023. In order to be considered you must attend a mandatory 3-hour orientation. 


TIP is a 120-140 hour certificated apprenticeship readiness course. Its approximately 20 weeks (5 months) long, and held two nights a week from 6-9pm. 

Currently, we have two sessions annually:

-Session 1: February to June - Wednesday & Friday nights from 6-9pm 

-Session 2: July to December - Tuesday & Thursday nights from 6-9pm


No. TIP will give you tools, information, and 1:1 coaching needed to help you begin a career in the union building trades, but does not guarantee employment in an apprenticeship.


A huge thank you to our community partners, including:

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  • TIP San Mateo

San Mateo County Union Community Alliance

650.572.9920

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