Apprenticeship is a systematic training program that uses a combination of on-the-job training (OJT) and classroom related instruction (RI) to teach the skills of a trade or occupation. Apprentices usually work a regular 40-hour week and attend 16 hours of RI per month at the Workforce Training Center. Apprenticeship programs typically last for two to four years and conclude with the opportunity to receive certification in the trade or occupation.
North Idaho College Workforce Training Offers apprenticeships in the construction trades and the Health Care field.
Most apprentices begin work with an employer prior to beginning apprenticeship instruction. However, it is not necessarily a requirement that you be employed to take apprenticeship courses at NIC Workforce Training. Please check the specific requirements of the apprenticeship that interests you. The various apprenticeships that NIC Workforce Training offers have different minimal qualifications and requirements.
Open House and Job Fair Nov. 22
In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week, North Idaho College will host a open house and job fair from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 at NIC’s Parker Technical Education Center in Rathdrum.
Attendees can learn more about NIC apprenticeship programs including Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Construction, Heavy Equipment, Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant and Dental Assistant.
The event is a great opportunity to network with employers, meet instructors and program graduates, and get hired as an apprentice!
Apprenticeship Classes at NIC
NIC’s Workforce Training Center offers approved classroom instruction programs for electrical, plumbing and HVAC. The required 144 hours of instruction (required by the Division of Building Safety) are offered each year (approximately 16 hours/month).
Classes run from September through May or June and require a 100% attendance rate for all face-to-face classes.
Apprenticeship Registration Requirements
Any person wishing to become an Electrical, Plumbing or HVAC apprentice in Idaho must:
- Meet minimum age requirement is 16 years old for Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC.
- Register with the State of Idaho’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses and/or the State of Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries.
- Work in the trade under the supervision of a journeyman.
Apprentice Programs
The Construction Apprenticeship covers content such as safety, blue-print reading, building materials, tools, wall systems, framing, stair layout, roofing, exterior finishing, drywall, cabinet installation and more. It is a four-year program that requires 160 hours of Related Technical Instruction annually and 6,000-8,000 hours of on-the-job learning.
The Electrical Apprenticeship program guides apprentices through 144 hours of annual classroom/lab instruction, covering topics relating to residential and commercial work, troubleshooting, industrial installation and electric motor controls. When paired with 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning, this four-year program qualifies apprentices to test for their Idaho Electrical Journeyman license.
Heavy equipment operators are needed for any project that requires transporting heavy materials or earthmoving. Operators work on jobs in construction, infrastructure (roads, bridges, ports), mining and timber. This three-year program will guide apprentices through 176 hours of annual instruction, covering theoretical topics, civil blueprint reading, soil properties and paving.
The HVAC Apprenticeship program guides apprentices through 144 hours of annual classroom/lab instruction, covering duct systems, heating/cooling equipment erection and installation, sheet metal fabrication, testing and controls and more. When paired with 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning, this four-year program qualifies apprentices to test for their Idaho HVAC Journeyman license.
The Plumbing Apprenticeship program guides apprentices through 144 hours of annual classroom/lab instruction, covering topics related to piping installation, fixture assembly, maintenance and repair, blueprint reading and more. When paired with 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning, this four-year program qualifies apprentices to test for their Idaho Plumbing Journeyman license.
Begin your career as a Nursing Assistant and become Certified (CNA) where you work. Attend class and learn your clinical skills with those you work with. This apprenticeship prepares you the state exams required for placement on the Idaho Nurse Aide Registry. This is an ideal program for pre-nursing and pre-med students too and is a stepping stone to advanced CNA courses.
The class components include online assignments, class skills practice, and clinical experience at local healthcare facilities. The course includes a customized lab manual, professional guest speakers, Customer Service in Health Care certification, CPR certification, and a comprehensive list of employers ready to hire.
This is a competency-based apprenticeship for those working in a dental practice who wish to become a dental assistant. Attend live classes and in-class demonstrations via Zoom, augmented with online class assignments, quizzes and exams. A clinical preceptor will work closely with instructors to guide students in meeting clinical competencies.
Complete your Medical Assistant Apprenticeship and receive national certification in this accelerated program for health care professionals. This 8.5-month program teaches direct patient care and clinical and administrative skills. Take skills learned in class and apply them under the supervision of a clinical preceptor while you work.
The Trades Apprenticeship Program is supported by the US Department of Labor through the CSG (The Closing the Skill Gap) Grant. A total of $369,471, or 10% of the program, is financed with federal funds over a four-year period.