The Top 5 Apprenticeships in Idaho
“I need a job!”. We’ve all said or heard someone say that phrase at some point in time, even more often said now in these times of economic regression and uncertainty.
Maybe you’re a fresh high school graduate that just doesn’t think conventional careers are for you, a college student that’s recalculating the steps in their career pathway, or, just someone in Idaho that has their G.E.D/Highschool diploma with time on your hands, trying to get another step up in life.
Whatever your situation, the best way to land a job in these trying times, or start generating a substantial income is to acquire new knowledge and skillsets needed in a booming industry. Like the trade industry. How? Apprenticeship. It’s certainly great being paid to learn, right? Stick with us for a few minutes, so we can guide you through the best apprenticeships in Idaho. Hopefully, helping you formulate some ideas, and kickstart your journey on a new career path.
#1. Ironworker Apprenticeship (Ironworkers Local 732)
Ironworker, what comes to mind when you hear that word? Perhaps a huge muscular guy or some guy in his late 40s, guiding a steel beam, hoisted by a crane at a ridiculous height off the ground. Well, at least that’s how the movies make it seem. But even if these stereotypes aren’t exactly wrong, there are a few misunderstandings, and there’s far more to the job. Firstly, the industry is open to anyone up and willing to do the work for example. Secondly, Ironworkers are one of the key trades leading the charge in the expansion and advancement of society. That is to say, all of our living, working, even recreational and entertainment spaces.
They commonly work on projects like reinforcing and post-tensioning, amusement equipment and rides, rigging and machine moving, and drilling platforms, for example. This is one of the apprenticeships in Idaho, that is an excellent way of jumpstarting your career. As not only an ironworker but a unionized one.
What does Ironworkers Local 732 offer?
Ironworkers Local 732, is a union for ironworkers, that seek better wages, benefits and provide training for its members. During your time in their program, you learn in a very hands-on manner, working side by side with well-experienced individuals. You get exposed to actual day-to-day duties of veteran workers, in the likes of, deck installation, bending and pulling of steel for building erection, connecting, and welding.
A 3-year program, you would have to devote 1560 on-the-job training hours and 204 classroom hours per year. This consequently gives a well-balanced and adequate preparation for your future as an ironworker. Though you begin earning only 70% of a Journeyman’s wage, your earnings are increased by 5% every 6 months. This goes all the way up to 95%, therefore rewarding your persistence and commitment to learning as you complete the program.
Requirements:
- 18yrs or older
- Highschool diploma or G.E.D
- Valid driver’s license
OJT company contact info
- Address: 1700 North Harrison Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83204
- Website: http://www.iw732.org/training.aspx?zone=training&pID=9584
- Telephone: 208-232-4873
- Fax: 208-234-7543
#2. HVAC Apprenticeship (College of Western Idaho)
HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Even though reflected by statistics, one doesn’t need much research to realize this is an ever-growing field. As the workforce demand is directly proportional to the industry’s growth. Think about it. We as humans continue to grow and expand as a global population, constantly needing places to live and work. In those places, comfort is a huge factor, and HVAC has a large part to play in providing it. From keeping you cool on those hot summer days to warming you up in those bitterly cold winters.
HVAC at CWI
The College of West Idaho offers this apprenticeship as a 4-year course, preparing you to take on the commercial, residential, and industrial work demands. This is why they expose and educate you in many different aspects of the job, such as Refrigeration, Hydronics, Heating, Fuel gas piping, and venting, just to start naming a few.
If you ever want to expand your area of expertise and decide to become an electrician too, there’s great news. Luckily for you, this is one of the apprenticeships in Idaho that gives you a headstart in that field. They teach, Blueprint reading, Electricity and Code requirements for electricity, fuel gas, and mechanical.
In a lab environment, you get the hands-on training that you require to be successful. However, aside from the 8000 on-the-job hours that you need to complete the program, there are 576 classroom hours of which the delivery or learning method is at your discretion. What does that mean? Well CWI gives you two methods of completing these classroom hours, Hybrid meaning partially online and partially in person and Fully Online. Leaving it up to you to choose whichever method suits your style of learning.
If you’d like a career that directly affects people’s everyday life. A program that gives you adequate preparation to take the Journeyman’s test and hop right in, look no further. Get started by using the information below.
Requirements:
- 16yrs or older
- Registered as an apprentice with the Idaho Division of Building Safety (208-332-7112)
OJT company contact info
- Address: 5500 E. Opportunity Dr. Nampa, ID 83687
- Website: https://cwi.edu/program/hvac-apprenticeship#overview
- Telephone: 208-562-3000
- Fax: 888-562-3216
#3. Plumbing Apprenticeship (C.S.I.W.D.T)
The College of Southern Idaho Workforce Development and Training has a wonderful program that gives you just what you need to become a plumber, ready for the work world. There are no better words that describe this program than, simple but effective. With a duration of 4 years and 8000 hours of on-the-job training, evenly divided at 2000 hours per year, along with 576 hours of classroom time at 144 hours per year, though simple this apprenticeship program is no joke. In fact, with all things considered it is one of the most robust apprenticeships in Idaho, covered on this list.
What do you learn and what’s it like?
Designed to be delivered over a strict 24-week course, individuals are exposed to a variety of plumbing scenarios and applications. Gaining experience in typical residential plumbing, but also commercial and industrial areas. This is no surprise as you will be taught by industry experts, who won’t stop at just that. They will also teach you valuable skills such as plumbing repairs, blueprint reading, and estimation, along with job safety, the Uniform Plumbing Code, and Idaho’s plumbing code.
Delivered in a hybrid format, it’s another one of those programs that are considerate. This is excellent for these current times where minimizing your contact with large groups of humans, can essentially save your life, as there is still a pandemic looming. One of the Apprenticeship programs that has a lower than usual entry age, they are stimulation the state’s and even national workforce with young, energetic, and well-trained plumbers.
Requirements:
- 16yrs or older
- Work under constant supervision of a licensed Plumber, Journeyman or Master Plumber
- Apply for Apprentice Plumbing License through the Division of Building Safety by calling 208-332-7112 or visiting https://dbs.idaho.gov/programs/plumbing/index.html
OJT company contact info
- Address: 315 Falls Avenue, Twin Falls, Idaho, 83303-1238
- Website: https://workforce.csi.edu/apprenticeships/plumbing/default.aspx
- Telephone: 208-732-6310
- Fax: NA
#4. Southwestern Idaho Electrical JATC Apprenticeship (SW.I.E.T.C)
Provided by Southwest Idaho Electrical Training Center, this is one of the most well-put-together apprenticeships in Idaho. Upon acceptance into the program, job placement is provided by them, with one of their union contractors. You can take comfort in having a pension plan, 401k/annuity, a personal care account, and even health insurance all paid for by your employer. However, in contrast, they make you sign an indenture agreement for 10 years. But even if it sounds intimidating, do take into consideration that you are given a raise every time an annual course is finished.
What you can expect
Not only does this apprenticeship program give you something to look forward to every year, but its 10,000 on-the-job-training hours along with 900 classroom hours, gives you enough time and experience to absorb and master the knowledge and skills that are being taught. If you’re wondering how you’re going to fit classroom hours into your work schedule, you’re expected to have classes and attend one evening per week at least, so nothing too crazy or exhausting. Though homework and exams will be given every week upon completion of each topic.
You can advance to a Journeyman-level electrician when your apprenticeship has concluded and you have passed state testing. Allowing you to apply and work for any company of your choice, with your new qualifications and skills, as your signed agreement would have then expired.
If you’re interested in a program that not only fully prepares you as a future electrician, but is approved by the likes of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 291 and National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) as a training facility, while also being the Idaho department of labor’s largest federally registered apprenticeship program, this is definitely for you.
Requirements:
- 18yrs or older
- Highschool diploma or G.E.D
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Completed a full year of algebra or complete the free approved online math course
- Provide official documentation
OJT company contact info
- Address: 12302 W. Explorer Dr., Suite 130, Boise Idaho 83713
- Website: https://idahoelectricalapprenticeship.org/apprentice/ (main site), https://idahoelectricalapprenticeship.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/brochure.pdf (brochure)
- Telephone: 208-384-0538
- Fax: NA
#5. Generation specialist apprentice (Idaho Power)
As a generation specialist apprentice, you will operate and maintain equipment such as generators, compressors, turbines, cranes, and hoists. While also working with and maintaining penstocks, dams, bulkheads, and equipment of that nature. Your daily tasks would likely include, performing preventative measures and correcting any faults that may arise, in the power facilities and their equipment. You get the opportunity to do designs, hands-on fabrication, assembly, installation, and even modification of preexisting or newly added equipment.
Options and benefits
This apprenticeship offers a wide range of skills and experience that is highly demanded and transferable throughout the industrial world. Essentially, it’s a gift that keeps on giving. It’s one of the only apprenticeships in Idaho, on this list, that offers the program as full-time employment. But, with competitive pay and benefits. However, it is also the most competitive to gain admission. as the admission procedure is more of a job application process. Don’t let that discourage you from applying and giving yourself a chance at an amazing career though.
While this may be an apprenticeship at a hydroelectric power generation plant, many of these equipment and skills are used in other industries, from oil and gas all the way to water treatment and food production. Hence, if you ever feel like switching to another industrial sector, you’d be the ideal candidate in many cases. You can get a more detailed example of your daily tasks and clarify your expectations using the contact info below.
Requirements:
- 18yrs or older
- Highschool diploma or G.E.D
- Any relatable experience such as electrical, generation and welding, etc.
OJT company contact info
- Address: 1221 West Idaho St. Boise, ID 83702
- Website: https://www.idahopower.com/about-us/careers/apprenticeships/
- Telephone: 208-388-2200
- Fax: NA
Conclusion
We at ojt.com based our list on the pliability of the knowledge and skills you learn in a program, to the current day’s job market, and your future ahead. These apprenticeships in Idaho, are a few handpicked programs. As they stood out to us in their effort to have, above-average informative resources. Which, made it easy for an interested individual, to understand the entire schematic of what they are getting into, and from the program. While, also holding true to being a well-planned, diverse trade or program, from a reputable company or institution. Above all, giving a student the sufficient tools to forge a successful future for themselves.
If there’s a program you’re interested in and it’s not listed here, please do check out our other blogs or visit us again for more. Otherwise, we do hope we assisted you in choosing the right apprenticeship for you or in the least, sparked your interest in others.