Welcome to Electrical apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is the oldest form of trades education - the practice of a master sharing knowledge of the tools and techniques of the trade.

 A United States Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship is a set-term pathway for an individual to gain hands-on skills in on-the-job-training (OJT) while under the supervision of a Master in the trade. At the same time, a Registered Apprentice is attending classes in Related Technical Instruction (RTI) to learn more about the trade.

RESIDENTIAL WIREWORKER

To complete a US DOL Registered Apprenticeship as a Residential Wireworker requires BOTH:

• 288 class hours of Related Technical Instruction to complete a Registered Apprenticeship as a Residential Wireworker
• 4,000 hours of On the Job Training *specifically in Residential Electrical Experience* to complete a Registered Apprenticeship as a Residential Wireworker

Completion of Residential Wireworker Apprenticeship prepares an Apprentice for licensure as an Arkansas Residential Electrician 

INTERIOR ELECTRICIAN

To complete a US DOL Registered Apprenticeship as an Interior Electrician requires BOTH:

• 576 class hours of Related Technical Instruction to complete a Registered Apprenticeship as an Interior Electrician
• 8,000 hours of On the Job Training to complete a Registered Apprenticeship as an Interior Electrician

Completion of Interior Electrician Apprenticeship prepares an Apprentice for licensure as an Arkansas Journeyworker Electrician 

• The first step to starting a Registered Apprenticeship is getting employed as a W-2 employee under the supervision of a currently licensed Master Electrician
• JOB SEARCH TIPS --- "Search for "Apprentice Electrician" or "Electrical Apprentice" in online job searches, or visit local Electrician supply houses for local job postings
• Once employed, a new apprentice has 30 days to get enrolled in Related Technical Instruction
• Some employers run their own RTI in-house, some contract with a specific RTI Provider and some leave it up to the apprentice where they attend - be sure to inquire with your employer!

Benefits to choosing Electrical Apprenticeship with Western Arkansas Apprenticeship Program:

• Choice of Electrical Apprenticeship pathway - Apprentices may begin as Interior Electrician -OR- begin as a Residential Wireworker. Upon completion of Residential Wireworker Apprenticeship & Arkansas Residential Electrician Licensure, the Apprentice may choose to transition their Residential Wireworker hours toward the Interior Electrician Apprenticeship & Arkansas Journeyworker licensure.
• Up to 144 class hours of Related Technical Instruction per term (40 classes offered per term)
• Rolling registration - Apprentices can join or transfer in to the program throughout the year (July-May)
• WAAP serves as license custodian for currently enrolled apprentices, including initial Electrician Apprentice licensing and on-time renewals with Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing

Western Arkansas Apprenticeship Program offers Related Technical Instruction at NorthWest Arkansas Community College - our Apprentices are offered many of the same benefits as NorthWest Arkansas Community College degree-seeking students, such as:

• NWACC Student ID Card - useful for student discounts at local businesses!
• NWACC Student Email Address
• Check-out privileges at the NWACC Library
• Free Counseling and Mental Health Services through NWACC Counseling Center

Completing your Interior Electrician Apprenticeship with Western Arkansas Apprenticeship Program enables an Apprentice to apply their RTI coursework towards NWACC college credit degrees such as:

• Completion of a Certificate of Proficiency in Electrical Apprenticeship (16 credit hours)
• towards an Associate of Applied Science in Construction Technology (12 credit hours)
• towards an Associate of Applied Science in General Technology (16 credit hours)

Western Arkansas Apprenticeship Program offers Electrical Apprenticeship RTI at the Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies in Bentonville 

• Electrical 1
• Electrical 2
• Electrical 3
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