Apprenticeships
CONTACT
Apprenticeship Office
Art Tech Building - Room 201
Phone: 715-365-4565 or 365-4926
Email: cholewinski@nicoletcollege.edu
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.
- 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 ofApprenticeship 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. More information and
practice testing sites.
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
Referral services are available for all apprentice trades. For additional information
regarding opportunities and requirements for various apprenticeship programs, contact
the Apprenticeship Office.