How does someone become a labor/management arbitrator?

An arbitrator is mutually selected by labor and management representatives to resolve their dispute by rendering a final and binding award. Consequently, arbitrators must be impartial and sufficiently experienced so that the parties will feel confident in making the selection. Parties generally feel most comfortable turning this responsibility over to arbitrators whom they know or who have excellent reputations in the labor/management community. While many arbitrators are also lawyers, it is not necessary to have a law degree to be a successful arbitrator. Many newer arbitrators “learn the ropes” by serving an apprenticeship or internship under a more-experienced arbitrator. From time to time, agencies have training programs where applicants can learn from experienced arbitrators.