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.
Apprentices receive pay increases as they learn to perform more complex tasks. When they become journeymen, they increase their chances of entering a well-paid job and may become supervisors or go into business for themselves.
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!
Categories
Electrical
Launch an electrical career with focused apprenticeship training. Learn wiring, codes, and safety practices while gaining real-world experience in the field.
HVAC
Start a career in heating and cooling with hands-on HVAC training. Develop skills in system diagnostics, climate control, and efficient installation practices.
Plumbing
Start a career in plumbing with hands-on apprenticeship training. Learn installation, repair, and water systems while building practical skills for reliable, in-demand work.
Registered Apprenticeships
Build your career through registered apprenticeships that combine paid work experience with structured training. Earn while you learn and gain industry-recognized credentials.
Course Catalog
Electrical Apprenticeship (Year 2)
Continue building your future in the electrical trade with Electrical Apprenticeship - Year 2. This course provides second-year electrical apprentices with the required classroom training that supports their continued on-the-job learning and career development. Students will expand on first-year fundamentals through instruction in AC circuit theory, series and parallel circuits, inductance, capacitance, three-phase power, transformers, generators, motors, motor installation, electrical calculations, National Electrical Code requirements, and grounding and bonding. The course is designed to help apprentices strengthen their technical knowledge, code awareness, and problem-solving skills as they continue working toward a career as a licensed electrician. This is a non-credit apprenticeship training course and represents one year of the four-year Electrical Apprenticeship program. Completion of this course fulfills the annual State of Idaho classroom training requirement of 144 hours for second-year electrical apprentices. To better support working apprentices, the course is offered in a blended format that allows students to attend class in person or participate remotely through Zoom. This flexible approach helps apprentices stay connected to their classroom training while balancing work schedules, travel, and other responsibilities.
Electrical Apprenticeship (Year 3)
Continue building your future in the electrical trade with Electrical Apprenticeship - Year 3. This course provides third-year electrical apprentices with the required classroom training that supports their continued on-the-job learning and career development. Students will expand their knowledge through instruction in commercial and industrial wiring, electrical safety, tools and test instruments, electrical standards and codes, drawings and specifications, load calculations, services, conductors, overcurrent protection, grounding, wiring methods, raceways, boxes, switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, devices, circuits, commercial and industrial installations, structured cabling, and electrical motor controls. The course is designed to help apprentices strengthen their code awareness, system-level understanding, and problem-solving skills as they continue working toward a career as a licensed electrician. This is a non-credit apprenticeship training course and represents one year of the four-year Electrical Apprenticeship program. Completion of this course fulfills the annual State of Idaho classroom training requirement of 144 hours for third-year electrical apprentices. To better support working apprentices, the course is offered in a blended format that allows students to attend class in person or participate remotely through Zoom. This flexible approach helps apprentices stay connected to their classroom training while balancing work schedules, travel, and other responsibilities.
Electrical Apprenticeship (Year 4)
Complete your apprenticeship training with Electrical Apprenticeship - Year 4. This course provides fourth-year electrical apprentices with the required classroom training that supports their continued on-the-job learning, final-year preparation, and progress toward journeyman licensure. Students will strengthen their understanding of the National Electrical Code through focused instruction in branch circuits, feeders, service calculations, services, overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, conductors, raceways, boxes, cable trays, switches, receptacles, panelboards, luminaires, appliances, motors, generators, transformers, hazardous locations, health care facilities, emergency and standby systems, photovoltaic systems, energy storage, fire alarm systems, communications circuits, and electrical exam preparation. The course is designed to help apprentices apply code requirements, improve calculation skills, and prepare for the transition from apprentice to licensed journeyman electrician. This is a non-credit apprenticeship training course and represents one year of the four-year Electrical Apprenticeship program. Completion of this course fulfills the annual State of Idaho classroom training requirement of 144 hours for fourth-year electrical apprentices. To better support working apprentices, the course is offered in a blended format that allows students to attend class in person or participate remotely through Zoom. This flexible approach helps apprentices stay connected to their classroom training while balancing work schedules, travel, and other responsibilities.
Electrical Apprenticeship (Year 1)
Start building your future in the electrical trade with Electrical Apprenticeship – Year 1. This course provides first-year electrical apprentices with the required classroom training that supports their on- the-job learning and career development. Students will be introduced to essential electrical concepts, jobsite safety, basic electrical theory, trade tools and materials, electrical codes, and foundational installation practices used in the electrical industry. The course is designed to help apprentices develop the knowledge and confidence needed as they begin working toward a career as a licensed electrician. This is a non-credit apprenticeship training course and represents one year of the four year Electrical Apprenticeship program. Completion of this course fulfills the annual State of Idaho classroom training requirement of 144 hours for first-year electrical apprentices. To better support working apprentices, the course is offered in a flexible format that allows students to attend class in person or participate remotely through Zoom when needed. This flexible approach helps apprentices stay connected to their classroom training while balancing work schedules, travel, and other responsibilities.
HVAC Apprenticeship - Year 1
Start building your future in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration trade with HVAC Apprenticeship - Year 1. This course provides first-year HVAC apprentices with the required classroom training that supports their on-the-job learning and career development. Students will be introduced to HVAC principles, trade mathematics, heating systems, cooling systems, refrigeration concepts, air distribution systems, copper and plastic piping practices, soldering and brazing, duct systems, basic electricity, electrical measuring instruments, HVACR electrical components, fuel gas code requirements, mechanical code topics, and industry safety practices. The course is designed to help apprentices develop the foundational knowledge, confidence, and code awareness needed as they begin working toward a career in the HVAC trade. This is a non-credit apprenticeship training course and represents one year of the HVAC Apprenticeship program. Completion of this course fulfills the annual State of Idaho classroom training requirement of 144 hours for first-year HVAC apprentices. To better support working apprentices, the course allows students to attend class in person or participate remotely through Zoom. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, helping apprentices stay connected to their classroom training while balancing work schedules, travel, and other responsibilities.
HVAC Apprenticeship - Year 2
Continue building your future in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration trade with HVAC Apprenticeship - Year 2. This course provides second-year HVAC apprentices with the required classroom training that supports their continued on-the-job learning and career development. Students will expand on first-year fundamentals through instruction in compressors, fasteners and hardware, refrigerants and oils, metering devices, leak detection, evacuation, recovery and charging, basic maintenance, customer relations, alternating current, heat pumps, chimneys, vents and flues, indoor air quality, air quality equipment, fuel gas code requirements, and mechanical code topics. The course is designed to help apprentices strengthen their system knowledge, code awareness, troubleshooting ability, and professional skills as they continue working toward a career in the HVAC trade. This is a non-credit apprenticeship training course and represents one year of the HVAC Apprenticeship program. Completion of this course fulfills the annual State of Idaho classroom training requirement of 144 hours for second-year HVAC apprentices. To better support working apprentices, the course allows students to attend class in person or participate remotely through Zoom. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, helping apprentices stay connected to their classroom training while balancing work schedules, travel, and other responsibilities.
HVAC Apprenticeship - Year 3
Continue advancing your skills in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration trade with HVAC Apprenticeship - Year 3. This course provides third-year HVAC apprentices with the required classroom training that supports their continued on-the-job learning and career development. Students will build on prior HVAC coursework through instruction in control circuit troubleshooting, motor testing and troubleshooting, cooling system troubleshooting, gas heating troubleshooting, heat pump troubleshooting, oil heating troubleshooting, HVAC accessories, hydronic systems, steam systems, retail refrigeration systems, fiberglass and fabric duct systems, sheet metal duct systems, zoning systems, ductless systems, variable refrigerant flow systems, practical mathematics for heating and cooling, and related code topics. The course also includes continued study of the International Fuel Gas Code and International Mechanical Code, helping apprentices strengthen their troubleshooting ability, system knowledge, and code awareness. This is a non-credit apprenticeship training course and represents one year of the HVAC Apprenticeship program. Completion of this course fulfills the annual State of Idaho classroom training requirement of 144 hours for third-year HVAC apprentices. To better support working apprentices, the course allows students to attend class in person or participate remotely through Zoom. Classes are held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, helping apprentices stay connected to their classroom training while balancing work schedules, travel, and other responsibilities.
HVAC Apprenticeship - Year 4
Complete the final year of classroom training in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration trade with HVAC Apprenticeship - Year 4. This course provides fourth-year HVAC apprentices with the required classroom training that supports their continued on-the-job learning and preparation for completion of the apprenticeship program. Students will study advanced HVAC topics including energy conservation equipment, building management systems, system air balancing and psychrometrics, system startup and shutdown, construction drawings and specifications, comfort system design and planning, commercial and industrial refrigeration, alternative and specialized heating and cooling systems, commercial hydronic systems, commercial airside systems, and leadership. The course also includes continued instruction in the International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, and related residential code topics, helping apprentices strengthen their code knowledge, system-design understanding, troubleshooting ability, and readiness for advanced responsibilities in the HVAC trade. This is a non-credit apprenticeship training course and represents one year of the HVAC Apprenticeship program. Completion of this course fulfills the annual State of Idaho classroom training requirement of 144 hours for fourth-year HVAC apprentices. To better support working apprentices, the course allows students to attend class in person or participate remotely through Zoom. Classes are held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, helping apprentices stay connected to their classroom training while balancing work schedules, travel, and other responsibilities.
Plumbing Apprenticeship (Year 1)
Start building your future in the plumbing trade with Plumbing Apprenticeship - Year 1. This course provides first-year plumbing apprentices with the required classroom training that supports their on-the-job learning and career development. Students will be introduced to the plumbing profession, plumbing safety, trade tools, plumbing fixtures, water distribution systems, drain, waste, and vent systems, plumbing drawings, plumbing math, plastic pipe and fittings, copper tube and fittings, cast iron pipe and fittings, steel pipe and fittings, and foundational plumbing code requirements. The course is designed to help apprentices develop the knowledge, confidence, and code awareness needed as they begin working toward a career as a licensed plumber. This is a non-credit apprenticeship training course and represents one year of the Plumbing Apprenticeship program. Completion of this course fulfills the annual State of Idaho classroom training requirement of 144 hours for first-year plumbing apprentices. To better support working apprentices, the course allows students to attend class in person or participate remotely through Zoom. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, helping apprentices stay connected to their classroom training while balancing work schedules, travel, and other responsibilities.