Apprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeships: Earn As You Learn

Idaho State University’s Continuing Education and Workforce Training (CEWT) apprenticeship program began more than 25 years ago. The program provides “Earn As You Learn” career paths in highly employable trades and creates a talent pipeline of licensed trade professionals. For many people, pursuing a traditional degree does not apply to their life goals. Instead, they pursue alternative educational paths, such as apprenticeships. Currently, CEWT’s program offers apprenticeships in electrical, plumbing and HVAC. The program is open to anyone interested in pursuing a career in the trades. It is advised, however, to find employment within the field prior to beginning a program. Employers provide real-time work experience and may even offer financial assistance for courses. Upon beginning work, an apprenticeship license issued by the state of Idaho is required. Electrical apprentices need to renew their licenses every year while plumbing and HVAC apprentices are required to renew their licenses every five years. Additional support of the apprenticeship programs is through Idaho LAUNCH — the state’s program to help develop more workforce in our communities. Idaho LAUNCH could fund up to 95% of the program. Advanced Opportunity is another state program that can help fund the cost of these trade programs. “Earn As You Learn” programs are a wonderful way to pursue an alternate education. As an added bonus, the apprentices experience minimal debt in comparison to college-bound students. Apprenticeships provide real, on-the-job experience paired with classroom instruction. The State of Idaho requires four years of an apprenticeship followed by a Journeyman exam to be fully-licensed. Associate’s degrees are available at ISU for electrical and plumbing students who may be interested after completion of the programs.

Paul Dickey is the apprenticeship coordinator for Continuing Education and Workforce Training.

HVAC Instructor Kris Herr attends an apprenticeship appreciation event in Pocatello.

CEWT provides the minimum requirement of 144 hours of class training per year. The cost for each year of the program is $800 plus books. Classroom instruction offers more flexibility with a hybrid classroom style — mixed in-person instruction with streamed lectures through Zoom. Classes are offered on a weekly basis and cover material that complements the on-the-job training that the employer provides. Paul Dickey, the CEWT Apprenticeship Programs Coordinator, has been overseeing the apprenticeship program for the last five years. Over this course of time, Dickey has seen an incredible transformation in the program as a whole. During his time as coordinator, he reports an 82% pass rate for the program and an increased number of fourth-year apprentices completing each program. “Apprenticeships are a great alternate career path option,” Dickey said. Since the programs are designed to provide complete training for each designated field, the programs are perfect for anyone with little to no knowledge or experience. CEWT’s apprenticeship program has been a huge success for a large number of people in the community. Now more than ever, young adults have taken advantage of the benefits that apprentice work has to offer and have pursued education while working in their desired field simultaneously. Aside from being extremely beneficial to apprentices, these programs are crucial for the community. Without hard work and dedication, there would be no plumbers, electricians or HVAC technicians to assist the community. That hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed — for both the apprentices and the instructors. Dickey notes that the instructors for the classes are the backbone of the program in its entirety and the program would not be able to function without each of them.

For any questions about the CEWT Apprenticeship Program, you can contact Paul Dickey at (208) 282-1077 or pdickey@isu.edu.