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Apprenticeship: Construction Trades 

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Becoming an Apprentice

Apprenticeship is a systematic training program that uses a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction to teach the skills of a trade or occupation. Apprentices usually work a regular forty hour week, then attend Saturday or week night classes. Apprentice programs typically last for four years, and conclude with the opportunity to become a skilled journeyman in the trade.

In the state of Idaho, Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC are licensed trades that require registration, apprenticeship training, and ultimately a journeyman’s license to work in the field.

Apprentice Registration Requirements

Any person wishing to become an Electrical, Plumbing or HVACR apprentice in Idaho must:

• Meet minimum age requirements (16 years for electrical and plumbing, 18 years for HVAC).
• Register with the State of ID, Division of Building Safety and/or the State of WA, 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.

For apprentice registration or additional information contact:

*Note for Washington Employers and Trainees Legislation passed in Washington State requires that, beginning July 1, 2023, those wishing to take the 01 journeyman exam in Washington must have completed a registered apprenticeship program. If your goal is to take the 01 exam in Washington after July 1, 2023, be aware NIC's program is not a registered apprenticeship program. For more information, please see the July 2018 Electrical Currents newsletter.

Apprenticeship Classes at NIC

North Idaho College (NIC) offers approved programs of classroom instruction for Electrical, Plumbing and HVACR through the Workforce Training Center in Post Falls. 160 hours of instruction are offered each year (approximately 16 hours/month). Classes begin in September and run through May/June.

Apprenticeship Class Fees and Registration
Program costs range from $1,195 to $1,595 per year. Tuition for apprentice courses includes instruction, course textbooks and materials. There are a limited number of scholarships available. Scholarship applications are available at the Workforce Training Center or here. Some employers also offer tuition assistance options. Financial aid awarded by completing the FAFSA does not apply to these non-credit programs. Payment plan information is available here.

Registration forms are available through the NIC Workforce Training Center mid-June. Registration begins July 1. Full payment of tuition or enrollment in the payment plan is required at the time of registration. To obtain forms and/or to register, contact the Workforce Training Center at (208) 769-3214. Students are encouraged to register during the month of July.

Correspondence Course - Electrical
Online correspondence courses are available for electrical apprentices. Correspondence students are asked to attend orientation at the Workforce Training Center in Post Falls the morning of Saturday, August 24. For information, call Peggy at (208) 769-7735.

*Online classes are not accepted for the basic classroom instruction required to renew a Washington State trainee card.

Employment in the Trades
Most apprentices begin work with a contractor (electrical, plumbing or HVAC) prior to beginning their schooling. However, it is not required that you be employed in the trades in order to take apprenticeship courses at NIC. If you are interested in finding work in the trades, contact a local contractor, check job listings (such as craigslist and the local newspapers), and register with the Department of Labor. Contact information for contractors in electrical, plumbing and HVAC can be found using online searches.

For detailed wage and occupational information visit http://www.webuildidaho.org

Becoming a Journeyman
In order to receive a journeyman’s license in the State of Idaho, there are three requirements:

• Work 8000 hours as an apprentice (2000 hours/year for four years).
• Attend and pass all four years of apprenticeship classes (minimum 144 hours of instruction per year)
• Pass the state journeyman exam.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree

The A.A.S. Degree is available through North Idaho College for Electrical, Plumbing, and HVACR apprentice students. Apprentice students who pass all four years of related instruction may be awarded 56 credits (14 credits per year). Degree-seeking students must complete a minimum of 15 additional credits in required subjects. Twelve of the 15 credits must be taken at NIC. There is a charge of $10 per credit, or $560, to have the credits transcripted. For more information, contact NIC Career Technical Advising at (208) 769-3448.

Bachelor’s in Applied Science
Individuals who obtain an A.A.S in apprenticeship may also be eligible for admission to Lewis Clark State College’s Bachelors’ degree in Applied Science or Applied Technology program. For more information, contact Jennifer Weeks at (800) 879-0458 or jweeks@lcsc.edu. Or, visit LCSC’s website: http://www.lcsc.edu.

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Contact

Peggy Schnell
Apprenticeship Coordinator
NIC Workforce Training Center and Community Education
(208) 769-7735
peggy.schnell@nic.edu