Apprenticeship

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Learn the Skill, Earn the Trade

Start or Enhance Your Career in the Skilled Trades through Apprenticeship Courses

Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing programs provide students with the basic knowledge and skills required to apply for entry-level positions or apprenticeship positions with a variety of companies. Whether you are new to the trade or an experienced professional, build your skills and start your journey to a successful career in the trades.

These programs are designed as hybrid training models to suit the busy lifestyles of our students. Hybrid training is a combination of online training and live classroom/lab training. It uses the NCCER (National Center for Construction and Education Research) curriculum which provides valuable standardized and portable national credentials that are helpful for students when seeking employment and/or building their careers with an employer.

These trades programs meet the requirements for a state-registered apprenticeship. However, they do not place you into a state-registered apprenticeship, which is between a student and an employer.

Accelerated Apprenticeship Available

Electrical Apprenticeship, Journeyman, and Licensure Program

OJT: 8,000 hrs (4yrs) and Classroom: 576 hrs (Electrical Levels 1-4)
Recommendation: Take our electrical apprenticeship classes to satisfy your training.

What does a job in electrical typically look like?

Learn more/register with currently enrolling Electrical classes.

HVAC Apprenticeship, Journeymen, and Licensure Program

OJT: 8,000 hrs (4yrs) and Classroom: 576 hrs (HVAC Levels 1-4)
Recommendation: Take our HVAC apprenticeship classes in conjunction with the Core Craft Skills class to satisfy your training.

What does a job in HVAC typically look like?

Learn more/register with currently enrolling HVAC classes.

Plumbing Apprenticeship, Journeymen, and Licensure Program

OJT: 8,000 hrs (4yrs) and Classroom: 576 hrs (Plumbing Levels 1-4)
Recommendation: Take our Plumbing Apprenticeship Program along with the Core Craft Skills class to satisfy your training.

What does a job in plumbing typically look like?

Learn more/register with currently enrolling Plumbing classes.

What funding options are available?

The apprenticeship programs are FastForward programs and are also eligible for the G3 scholarship. Eligible residents who have been living in Virginia for at least one year may qualify for FastForward and pay only one-third of the cost of tuition. Since these are also G3 programs, you may be eligible for last-dollar funding, bringing your total tuition to $0. Please review the G3 information page, which outlines income qualifications and if you think you qualify or if you have any questions, please contact our operations team at 540-868-7021 to get registered.

Additional financial assistance, grant funding, and Sallie Mae loans are available here for eligible students.

Student Handbooks and Safety Manual

If you are considering a trades career training program, you will want to see our available handbooks pages below to help you prepare for an upcoming course. All handbooks are subject to change based on the needs of the program.

Student Success

Josiah Shortridge is just 22 years old, but the facility operator HVAC technician is already thriving in his career. Read his story here >>>

Luis Camacho-Bruno is so much happier pursuing his trades education than he was while working towards his engineering degree. Read his story here >>>

Enroll

View the upcoming courses in HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing here >>>

WSCE Classes Enrolling Now Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions

About Virginia’s Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Program

Virginia’s Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program is administered by the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI), www.doli.virginia.gov. Registered Apprenticeship creates earn-while-you-learn models that provide occupation-specific training. Virginia’s community colleges can be providers of the required Related Technical Instruction (RTI) that supports Work-Based Learning (WBL). Community colleges provide valuable sources of training and RTI for various employers, businesses, and sponsors. Employers who wish to start RA programs can find their local Registered Apprenticeship Consultant here:  DOLI Contact a Consultant Today (virginia.gov).

Local Registered Apprenticeship Representatives

Registered Apprenticeship is an employment training option that meets the needs of employers, career seekers, and communities. Apprenticeship is an opportunity to get on-the-job training from highly skilled experts in your field of choice. To inquire about local registered apprenticeship opportunities connect with the contacts below. 

Todd Cook, Apprenticeship Consultant
Contact him at [email protected]  or  (540) 248-9280 Ext. 25
Counties served with Apprenticeship include:
Albemarle, Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Culpeper, Fluvanna,  Greene, Highland, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Page, Rappahannock, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, City of Charlottesville.

Miguel Granillo-Cordova, Apprenticeship Consultant
Contact her at [email protected] or  (703) 392-0900 Ext. 108
Counties served with Apprenticeship include:
Fauquier, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford. Cities of Alexandria, Fredericksburg

Marco Pineda, Apprenticeship Consultant
Contact him at [email protected] or (540) 784-4438
Counties served to include:
Clark, Culpeper, Frederick, Loudon, Madison, Page, Rappahannock, Warren, City of Winchester

Benefits of Apprenticeship Courses for the Student:

  • Receive high-quality mentoring and education
  • Earn while you learn
  • Seek new employment or enhance a current position
  • Earn a nationally recognized Certificate of Completion
  • Immediate qualification to sit for Journeyman License
  • On average enjoy higher lifetime earnings

Benefits of Apprenticeship for the Employer:

  • Free to the employer
  • Training standards can be tailored to the employers’ individual needs
  • Training Increases productivity by cultivating a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce
  • Allows companies to promote from within and increase retention
  • Strengthens the bond between management, supervisors, and employees and promotes teamwork

Check out the Apprenticeship videos below for more information on student and employer benefits:

Student Benefits Video                                  

Employer Benefits Video