Apprenticeship
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a training program which combines real-life, on-the job (OTJ) experience with classroom-related training.
In the state of Idaho, there are three different licensed apprenticeships: Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC Technician.
What does this mean for the apprentice?
This provides the opportunity for a person to enter a technical field with little to no experience.
Through an apprenticeship, they are shown a clear pathway towards advancement in their career through a list of expected tasks and outcomes.
What does this mean for the employer?
An apprenticeship allows an employer to recruit and develop a highly-skilled workforce in order to grow their business.
Where does Continuing Education and Workforce Training (CEWT) fit in?
Continuing Education and Workforce Training provides the classroom component of the apprenticeship training.
From September through April, CEWT provides classroom training one or two days a week in the evenings. Students learn the theory that compliments the OTJ training they are receiving from their employers by professionals in their field. Classroom training is provided both face-to-face and remotely, where classroom sessions are simultaneously livestreamed online.
At the end of the year, the apprentice will receive a certificate which indicates that they have successfully completed that year of the program and can advance into the next.
How do I get started?
The first step is finding employment. These industries are always looking for good people to join their team. You can check with local companies in your area or the local Department of Labor office.
The next step is to become a licensed apprentice with the State of Idaho by filling out an application on the Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses website. Sometimes applying for the license in advance of looking for employment can help show employers that you are serious about this as a career path.
Finally, you will register for classes. Registration opens early July, and CEWT accepts online registrations up until two days prior to the class’s start date. If you need help with registration please, call the main CEWT office at (208) 282–3372.
What if I need more information?
Please feel free to reach out to Paul Dickey, CEWT’s Apprenticeship Programs Coordinator. You can reach him by phone at (208) 282–1077 or by email at pdickey@isu.edu.
Don’t just dream about your future…make it!
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