Energy Apprenticeship Programs
An apprenticeship is a good way to start an awarding career in a skilled craft or trade. You can earn a salary while gaining marketable skills.
Many of the careers in energy can be learned through an apprenticeship program. Examples are electricians, electrical power-line installers and repairers, and power plant operators. Energy businesses partner with credentialing and licensing agencies to make sure the apprenticeship programs include the training and instruction needed to meet industry requirements.
What is an apprenticeship program like?
- Program length: Programs range from one to six calendar years; four is the average.
- Pay: Apprentice pay usually starts at about half the rate for journey-level workers. After six months, your pay begins to increase, and eventually it reaches the journey level. Apprentice wages are never less than the federal minimum wage.
- Course work: For every 2,000 hours (one year) of on-the-job training, you're required to have 144 hours of classroom instruction. Classes are usually taught by a journey-level worker and are often held at night in community colleges, vocational-technical schools, or online.
- Sponsors: Apprenticeship programs are often sponsored by labor unions and employers. Sponsors plan, administer, and pay for the program. As an apprentice, you are a full-time, paid employee of the company where you work.
- Credit for past experience: If you have previous related experience, you may be granted advanced placement in an apprenticeship program. Your pay could also be higher because of your experience.
- Credit toward an associate degree: Some two-year schools offer college credit – "credit for experience" – in apprentice occupations. For more information, contact your local technical college, community college, or university.
- Certificate of completion: When you finish your training, you'll receive a certificate of completion from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. This credential will be recognized throughout the United States and Canada. Registered apprenticeship programs with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry are WIA certified.
How do I apply for a registered apprenticeship?
The best place to start is the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's Apprenticeship Unit. This office has details and FAQs about apprenticeship, as well as a current sponsorship directory. Registered apprenticeship programs with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry are WIA certified. After finding an apprenticeship you want, you'll need to complete an application form and submit it, along with a birth certificate, school transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
