Apprenticeship Training
CONTACT
Chris Holewinski
Apprenticeship Office
Art Tech Building - Room 201
Phone: 715-365-4926
Email: cholewinski@nicoletcollege.edu
Nancy Burns
Apprenticeship Coordinator
Art Tech Building - Room 201
Phone: 715-365-4565
Email: nburns@nicoletcollege.edu
What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction
- An apprentice enters a contract to learn a skilled craft or trade in exchange for paid services
to an employer in the field. - The apprentice works with a journeyman (skilled craftsman) for two to five years depending on the trade where the skilled craftsman passes on knowledge to the apprentice.
- Each apprentice is required to take designated related instruction throughout their apprenticeship. Instruction is usually provided through the technical college. Typically, apprentices attend day school for eight hours every other week (72-hours per semester) and receive a normal hourly salary while attending class during the day. Barber/Cosmetology apprentices normally attend four hours every week.
- Many apprenticeship trades also require night school.
- Apprenticeships are a partnership between the employer who offers on-the-job training, the apprentice who agrees to work for the employer, the technical college or training group, and the State of Wisconsin, Department of Workforce Development, Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards.
The Department of Workforce Development - Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (BAS) governs apprenticeship programs, deriving its authority from Chapter 106 of the Wisconsin Statutes. This law determines all requirements of students, employers, and apprenticeship training programs. The indenture assures that the employer has a qualified employee and that the apprentice receives a thorough grounding in the knowledge and skills required in his/her selected field. BAS's supervision assures that training meets the standards of the trade.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the application and testing requirements of the field they are interested in entering. These rules and policies may vary depending on the requirements of the specific occupation. Testing and specific program requirements can be obtained from the Apprenticeship Office at Nicolet College.
Application Process
This process varies for each program. Click on the program of interest below to check on your specific trade. All programs require taking an Accuplacer test, for more information and practice testing sites click on link below.
RELATED LINK: Accuplacer Testing
Apprenticeship Employment
Applicants must be employed prior to starting an apprenticeship. If you do not have an employer, you can still start the application process and go before the committee to receive a Letter of Introduction, which can be taken to potential employers to designate that you are a qualified apprenticeship candidate.
Apprenticeships and Availability
Depending on the current needs of business and industry, the availability of apprenticeship programs may vary. Please check with the Nicolet Apprenticeship Office to see if the following trades are being offered in any given year.
Construction Trades
Additional Apprenticeship Training
Apprenticeship instruction for Millwright (Maintenance Mechanic) and Sheet Metal trades may be offered when sufficient numbers of apprentices are available. Classroom instruction for these apprenticeships is held in Wausau.
Other Apprenticeships and General Information Sites:
http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dws/appr/
http://www.witechcolleges.org/apprenticeship/index.htm
Referral services are available for all apprentice trades. For additional information regarding opportunities and requirements for various apprenticeship programs, contact the Apprenticeship Office at 715-365-4565 or 715-365-4926.
Construction Electrician Apprenticeships
Application Process
All applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. All of the following materials must be in the ABC of WI office by the application deadline, July 15th.
- Apprenticeship Application
- Employer Application, if sponsored
- Supplemental Information Form
- High School Transcripts
- Copy of Driver's License, or Means to Get to and from Work and School
- Test Results (Reading and Arithmetic), if applicable
- Algebra Verification, if applicable
To learn more visit:
http://www.abcwi.org/apprenticeship/index.asp
ABC of Wisconsin Apprenticeship
5330 Wall Street
Madison, WI 53718
Phone: 608-244-6056/800-829-9926
Overview of Construction Electrician
Electricians plan the electrical systems for structures. They install wiring and other electrical components such as breaker boxes, switches, light fixtures, and telephone and television wiring. They must be familiar with local and national codes. Electricians must be carefully trained and safe because they can be exposed to hazardous conditions and situations. In Wisconsin, upon completion of apprenticeship, completed apprentices receive a Journeyman Certification. Future career path opportunities include jobs as estimators, distribution manager, inspectors, project managers, trade instructors, and foreman.
Working Conditions
Electrical work can be indoors or outdoors. Their work is sometimes physically strenuous requiring prolonged standing in cramped or uncomfortable positions. Electricians may work in dusty, dirty, hot and wet conditions, or in confined areas, ditches or other uncomfortable places. The working environment varies with each job and may include working on ladders and scaffolding. Electricians follow strict safety procedures to prevent injuries from electrical shock, falls and cuts.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED
- Passing score on Accuplacer
- Physical capability of performing the trade
- Valid Driver's license or reliable transportation
Terms of Apprenticeship
- 5 year training program
- 7,920 hours of on-the-job training.
- 720 hours of paid related classroom instruction
- 200 hours of non-paid related instruction to include First Aid, Welding, OHSA, etc.
- Additional related instruction may be required
Plumbing Apprenticeship
Plumbing apprentices learn to install and repair pipes for water, gas, sewage, and drainage systems, and to install and repair sanitary facilities. They learn how to test their installations to ensure compliance with plumbing code.
For additional information regarding opportunities and requirements for various apprenticeship programs, contact the Apprenticeship Coordinator at 715-365-4565.
Application Process
Download the application from this site or call or stop at the Nicolet Apprenticeship Office to receive:
- Apprentice Application
- Employer Application
- Complete the Application and return it to the apprenticeship office.
- Send an official copy of high school transcripts or GED to the apprenticeship office.
- Take an Accuplacer test at the Apprenticeship Office on the Lake Julia Campus (Call for
Times) or at the Lakeland Center (Schedule appointment). Required tests include math,
reading and algebra. For more information and practice testing sites click on link below.
RELATED LINK: Accuplacer Testing
Once everything is in place you will be called before the Plumbing Committee to become indentured or to receive a letter of introduction, which can be taken to potential employers to designate that you are a qualified apprenticeship candidate. (You must be employed prior to starting an apprenticeship.)
Overview of Plumbing
Plumbing apprentices learn to install and repair pipes for water, gas, sewage, and drainage systems, and to install and repair sanitary facilities. They learn how to test their installations to ensure compliance with plumbing code.
Working Conditions
Work can be indoors or outdoors in various weather conditions on existing or new construction projects. May work on a ladder/scaffold, in trenches and in various weather conditions. Work requires both stamina and physical strength, working in cramped or uncomfortable positions and standing for long periods.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED
- Passing score on Accuplacer
- Physical capability of performing the trade
- Valid driver's license or reliable transportation
Terms of Apprenticeship
- 5 year training program
- 7,500 hours of on-the-job training.
- 500 hours of paid related classroom instruction
- 268 hours of non-paid related instruction to include First Aid, Welding, OHSA, Modules,
Blueprint Reading, Transition to Trainer, etc. - Must pass State Journeyman Exam to complete the program