Adult Apprenticeship

APPRENTICE ELIGIBILITY

What makes one a Virginia Registered Apprentice?

All of the following must apply:

• The apprentice must be working for a Virginia employer in an apprentice-related trade
• The apprentice must have registered with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
• The apprentice must have a registration card or Apprenticeship registration papers (Apprentice Agreement Form – A.A.F.) from the State of Virginia.

All Virginia Registered Apprentices are required to enroll in Related Instruction classes. Those who are not Virginia Registered Apprentices are welcomed in most programs on a space available basis. (This does not apply to Cosmetology or Dispensing Optician). Virginia Registered Apprentices pay a reduced fee because a portion of their training costs are covered by special state funds for apprenticeship training.

STEPS TO BECOMING A REGISTERED APPRENTICE

STEP 1: Identify the occupation that is right or appropriate for you.

All prospective apprentices should start by identifying the trade or craft they wish to learn. There are many ways to learn about occupations. One way is the Virginia VIEW Occupational Search that matches an individual’s personal preferences in work situations to occupations. Career counselors and professionals in high schools, vocational centers, community colleges, and public service agencies, such as the Virginia Employment Commission, know about Virginia VIEW. People who want to become apprentices can discuss the requirements of a particular trade with their local Virginia Employment Commission Office.

STEP 2: Identify an employer who will sponsor your apprenticeship.

A sponsor, also known as a business, must be identified to provide on-the-job training for the apprenticeship program to be conducted. If prospective apprentices know of a business establishment that is willing to hire them in the trade or craft they wish to learn, the prospective apprentice should contact an Apprenticeship Representative at the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (see address and phone number below). The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry Representative will assist the prospective apprentice in asking the business to establish an Apprenticeship Training Program.

If the prospective apprentice has decided on a particular trade or craft but does not know of a business willing to be a sponsor, the Workforce Information Coordinators in his/her local Virginia Employment Commission Office can be contacted to assist in identifying possible sponsors.

STEP 3: Contact the Apprenticeship Representative from the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

The apprenticeship representative from the Department of Labor and Industry will meet with the prospective apprentice and sponsor, usually at the sponsor’s business establishment. At the meeting, the training program will be outlined and discussed. The length of time an individual will be required to serve on-the-job and to attend related instruction will be discussed. An apprentice action form which formalizes the apprenticeship agreement is signed by the sponsor and the apprentice. This is not a contract, but rather an agreement as to the time frame and terms of the apprenticeship.

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
Apprenticeship Training Division
Interstate Corporation Center Building 6
6363 Center Drive, Suite 101
Norfolk, VA 23502
757-455-0891

STEP 4: Work, learn, and earn during your apprenticeship.

Once the apprenticeship training program is completed, the apprenticeship representative from the Department of Labor and Industry will have the sponsor and the Related Instruction Coordinator sign a certificate indicating the apprentice has completed the required training. In approximately one month from the completion date, the apprentice will receive a Certification of Completion of Apprenticeship Training issued by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

2022-2023 Apprenticeship Programs 

2023-2024 Apprenticeship Enrollment Form

Barbering

This course is designed to teach the barbering apprentice the needed information to support passing their licensure exams. Classes are open to anyone, but students must become registered apprentices and complete 2000 clock hours in a salon to test for the Virginia State Board Exam. Costs include the use of all necessary tools of the trade, all chemicals, the manikin and all consumables associated with the training. Class includes Related Instruction theory and at least two practice “State Board reviews.” Two evenings will be double class nights, 6 hours each, to accommodate practice for the State Boards. If the class fills, a second class will be started to accommodate the overflow.

Cosmetology

This class is limited to only Virginia Registered Apprentices. The apprentice must bring their card or enclose a copy of it when enrolling. Costs include the use of all necessary tools of the trade, all chemicals, the manikin and all consumables associated with the training. Two evenings will be double class nights, 6 hours each, to accommodate practice for the State Boards. If the class fills, a second class will be started to accommodate the overflow.

Independent Electrical (Levels 1- 4)

Year One: This course covers safety, math hand tools, power tools, introduction to blueprints, basic rigging, hand bending, anchors and supports, introduction to the National Electric Code, conductors, services, voltage drop, DC theory, series/parallel circuits, and residential wiring.

Year Two: This course covers AC theory, motors, grounding, conductor, installations, cable tray, conductor terminations and splices, electrical services, circuit breakers and fuses, contractor and relays, and lighting. The Apprentice is required to have a National Electrical Code Book. 

Year Three: This course covers load calculations, conductor selection and calculations, over current protection, wiring devices, distribution systems, motor calculations, HVAC AC systems, and hazardous locations. The Apprentice is required to have a National Electrical Code Book. 

Year Four: This course covers commercial/Industrial lighting, specialty lighting standby and emergency systems, basic electronic theory, fire alarm systems, advanced controls, HVAC controls, welding machines and heat tracing, and freeze protection. 

Plumbing (Levels 1- 4) 

Year One: Installation Practices: This course covers an introduction to the plumbing trade, history, careers, tools, jobsite safety, rough in – copper and plastic – cast iron soil pipe – steel pipe, and an introduction to blueprint reading. Also covered are plumbing: mathematics, related science, and first aid. 

Year Two: Installation Practices: This course covers the rationale for the development of a plumbing code for general regulations, fixtures, water supply and distribution, water heaters, sanitary drainage, vent systems, traps and interceptors, and storm drainage. Also taught are estimating blue prints and plumbing mathematics.The International Plumbing Code book is a required textbook used in courses taken over the next two years. Welding labs are also a part of this course and are required for successful course completion. 

Year Three: Installation Practices: This course covers navigating the International Plumbing Code book and sizing of roof drainage systems. The International Plumbing Code book used in the previous year is required. An introduction to the International Fuel Gas Code is discussed. Additional topics covered are plumbing mathematics, sizing gas lines, related science, and blueprint reading. 

Year Four: Installation Practices: This course includes a comprehensive look into the International Plumbing Code book used in previous courses. The course also presents numerous code related tests that prepare apprentices for the licensing exam once the course is completed. Additionally, the International Fuel Gas Code book is reviewed so that apprentices are prepared to take the exam for that license. 

Dispensing Optician Hybrid Model (Face to Face and Online Classes - Levels 1-2)

Year One: This yearlong course, which is divided into quarterly topics, provides the fundamental foundation for a Dispensing Optician. Instructional topics offer an understanding of the ocular history, language, ocular anatomy and physiology, basic light theories, and theories of Optical Dispensing and the Optical lab.

Year Two: This yearlong hybrid course, which is divided into quarterly topics, provides the essential content for a Dispensing Optician, who is preparing for the Virginia Optician License Exams. Instructional topics offer an understanding of the ocular history, language, ocular anatomy and physiology, light theories, and theories of Optical Dispensing and the Optical lab. 

HVAC (Levels 1- 4)

Year One: This course covers safety, introduction, mathematics, refrigeration fundamentals, compression systems, refrigerants, recovery, electrical, and work drawings.

Year Two:This course covers applied mathematics, refrigeration systems, servicing and installation, AC fundamentals - heating - cooling - humidifying, heat pumps, electrical circuits and controls, motors, and an introduction to troubleshooting. Lab Fee includes CFC Certification. 

Year Three: This course covers AC systems, heat loads, refrigerators and freezers, commercial systems, servicing, installation, absorption systems, and troubleshooting. 

Year Four: This course covers commercial systems - heat load sand piping, special refrigeration systems and applications, solar energy, electric circuits and controls and troubleshooting.

2022-2023 Adult Evening and Apprenticeship Related Instruction Catalog

(Updated Catalog Coming Soon)

2023-2024 Apprenticeship Enrollment Form

Transcript Request Form