Case Study: Sprinkler Fitters U.A. Local 709 identifies qualified apprentices with Wonderlic Basic Skills Test

How we identify best-fit candidates with Wonderlic and structured interviews

Sprinkler Fitters U.A. Local 709 is a Los Angeles union of 1,000+ journeypersons, apprentices, and retirees that runs a rigorous five‑year apprenticeship to produce skilled fire‑suppression technicians. With only 60 openings every two years and up to 400 applicants, the union needed a reliable way to screen candidates’ essential math and verbal skills after California discontinued its assessment program.

Local 709 adopted the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test, gained state approval to use it in their selection standards, and made scores 50% of the overall ranking (with interviews making up the other 50%). The test gives instant, objective measures of applicants’ abilities, proved easier and more useful than the prior state test, and is now used for every apprentice applicant to help select the most qualified candidates.

Sprinkler Fitters U.A. Local 709

Robin Schledorn

Director of Training