Peggy Schnell
Coordinator
(208) 769-7735

NIC Workforce Training Center is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TDD/TTY (208) 769-7836

Apprenticeship Program Information

Electrical, Plumbing, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

WTC StudentsApprenticeship is a systematic training program that uses a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction to teach the skills of a particular trade or occupation. Apprentices usually work a regular forty hour week, then attend evening or weekend classes (generally 16 hours per month). Apprentice programs typically last for four years, and conclude with the opportunity to become a skilled journeyman in the trade.

Becoming An Apprentice
To become an Electrical, Plumbing or HVAC apprentice in Idaho, one must:
• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Register with the State of Idaho, Division of Building Safety and/or the
State of Washington, Department of Labor and Industries.
• Work in the trade under the supervision of a journeyman.
• Enroll in apprenticeship classes at the NIC Workforce Training Center.

Any person wishing to become an Electrical, Plumbing or Heating, Venting, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) apprentice in Idaho must register with the State of Idaho, Division of Building Safety (DBS), prior to going to work in the trade. To register, call 208-334-3950 or log on to http://dbs.idaho.gov/

WTC StudentsApprentices shall re-register with Idaho DBS each year according to trade requirements. At that time, the apprentice must furnish proof of completion of required classes and work experience during the previous year.

For additional information regarding registration in the State of Idaho contact:

State of Idaho
Division of Building Safety
Plumbing, Electrical or HVAC Department
1090 E. Watertower Street
Meridian, ID 83642
http://dbs.idaho.gov
(208) 334-3950

or

Coeur d’Alene Office
1250 Ironwood Drive, Suite 220
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
(208) 769-1579

For Washington State apprentice registration, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
PO Box 44000
Olympia WA 98504-4000
1-800-547-8367
http://www.lni.wa.gov/tradeslicensing/

Becoming a Journeyman
In Idaho, Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC trades offer a journeyman’s license. In order to receive a journeyman’s license, there are three requirements:
• Work 8000 hours as an apprentice (2000/year for four years).
• Attend and pass all four years of Apprenticeship classes
(minimum 144 hours of instruction per year).
• Pass the state journeyman’s exam.

Apprenticeship Classes at North Idaho College
North Idaho College (NIC) offers approved programs of classroom instruction for Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC through the Workforce Training Center in Post Falls. Apprenticeship classes are held on Saturdays (eight hours twice monthly) or weekday evenings (four hours per week). Classes begin the first week of September, and end in mid-May (Saturday classes) or June (weeknight classes). Registration and payment for the apprenticeship course is due during the month of July. Returning students registering after July 31 will be assessed a late fee. New students are strongly encouraged to register in July.

Program costs range from $1000 to $1300 per year for tuition and books. For students needing assistance with tuition, there are a limited number of scholarships available. Applications are available at the Workforce Training Center during registration. Check with your employer for other tuition assistance options.

Apprenticeship Class Registration
Registration forms are available through the NIC Workforce Training Center in Post Falls, usually beginning in late June, for classes beginning in September. Registration begins July 1. To obtain forms and/or to register, contact the Workforce Training Center at 208-769-3333.

Fees and Payment
Tuition for apprentice course includes 160 hours of instruction, course textbooks and materials. Tuition must be paid in full at the time of registration. A $50 late fee will apply to registrations from returning apprentice students received after July 31. A late fee of $100 will apply to registrations received after August 31. New apprentices hired after July 31, and before the first class date, will not incur a late fee.

Correspondence Course
Related instruction is available by correspondence for licensed apprentices who may have extreme distance (50 miles or greater from the Workforce Training Center) or schedule considerations (not for work or personal reasons) that prohibit attendance in classroom instruction. North Idaho College must first approve application requests. For an application, call 208-769-7735. Send requests to:

Peggy Schnell
Coordinator for Apprenticeship
NIC Workforce Training Center
525 W. Clearwater Loop
Post Falls, ID  83854

For more information or to register for apprenticeship classes,
call the NIC Workforce Training center at (208) 769-3333.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
The A.A.S. Degree is available through North Idaho College for the Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC Apprentice student. Apprentice students who pass all four years of related instruction will be awarded 56 credits (14 credits per year). Students must also complete a minimum of 16 additional credits in required subjects. Twelve (12) of the 16 credits must be taken at NIC. Students must meet with an advisor in Student Services prior to registration for additional credits.

In order to qualify for the A.A.S. degree, the student must:

  • Apply for admission at North Idaho College.
  • Take the COMPASS test.
  • Successfully complete four years of apprentice related instruction at NIC.
  • Complete an additional 16 academic credits (this can be done at anytime, including while the student is an apprentice).
  • Submit a processing fee of $10 per credit ($560 total) for the apprenticeship classes completed.
  • Apply for graduation through the Registrar’s office.

For more information, contact the NIC Admissions office at 208-769-3317.

Registered Apprenticeship
U.S. Department Of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship
Some employers’ apprenticeship programs are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship. This is a voluntary program, between the employer and the Office of Apprenticeship. It is not required by the state of Idaho. Apprentices must work for an employer with a federally registered program, in order to participate in a registered apprenticeship.

If the apprentice is participating in a federally registered apprenticeship program, completion of the required on-the-job training and classroom instruction qualifies the apprentice to receive a Certificate of Completion, awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor. This provides the apprentice the benefit of nationally recognized training and skills credentials.

The Office of Apprenticeship assists employers in setting up registered apprenticeship programs and accredits those that do. Employers of apprentices can inquire or register by contacting the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship.

U. S. Department of Labor
Office of Apprenticeship
1150 N. Curtis, Suite 204
Boise, Idaho 83706-1234
(208) 321-2972
http://www.doleta.gov/OA/

Contact NIC Workforce Training Center

For more information on apprenticeship, contact the NIC Workforce Training Center at 208-769-7735. Or email: peggy_schnell@nic.edu. Apprenticeship classes are held at the NIC Workforce Training Center, 525 W. Clearwater Loop, Post Falls, ID.