Apprenticeship Program

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Apprenticeships began in the Middle Ages as a way for skilled craftsmen to control who entered and received education for their trades. Guilds were groups of craftsmen who banded together to ensure proper training of their practitioners and guaranteed good wages for those who learned their skills. Participating in an apprenticeship is an idea that is still in fashion. The method of apprenticeship education is alive and well in the 21st century.

The Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College provides apprenticeship-related classroom instruction in a variety of crafts within the career fields of construction and manufacturing. Apprenticeship education is unique because it combines paid on-the-job training by the employer and formalized work-related classroom instruction.

The college offers related training courses to support the on-the-job training provided by employers for the following apprenticeship programs:

Apprenticeship	Years to Complete	Apprenticeship	Years to Complete
Carpenter	4	Maintenance Mechanic	4
Electrician	4	Plumber	4
Electrician (Union)	5	Sheet Metal Worker	4
HVAC/R Service Tech	4	Sheet Metal Worker (Union)	5
Machinist	4	Voice Data Video (Union)	3

Earn While You Learn

Apprentices are paid on a progressive wage scale while participating employers (also known as sponsors) teach them leading edge, real-life work skills. These skills will enhance career success by helping to increase wages and opportunities for advancement. Both of these achievements can happen prior to the completion of the apprenticeship program.

Education Method

You can receive paid technical and practical training in high skill occupations through a registered apprenticeship. Registered apprenticeship is a highly flexible training model combining on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. Registered apprenticeship education will help students:

Develop a successful career goal.
Get paid while learning.
Be well-trained in a career and not a dead-end job.
Gain nationally recognized work credentials.

Find out more and get started on the path to a registered apprenticeship program at this web site: http://www.utahtraining.org/

Unlike other technical education programs at the OWATC, most apprenticeship programs are offered on a semester system. Two semesters are offered each year: Fall Semester and Spring Semester. Each course takes one semester to complete. You may enroll in only one course per semester, and you are required to complete two courses per year.

Minimum Age Requirement

Individuals must be at least 16 years old to begin an apprenticeship program. Students younger than 18 years old must be registered with the Office of Apprenticeship. Information is listed above. Students may complete up to two years of an apprenticeship program while completing their high school graduation requirements.

Apprenticeship Math Competency Requirements

Apprenticeship students may obtain a math review packet and schedule a math assessment appointment by calling (801) 627-8420. All apprentice students, except JATC Electrician, JATC Sheet Metal, and independent sheet metal apprentices must meet the math competency requirement in one of the following ways:

Pass the apprenticeship math competency examination before enrolling in an apprenticeship course. Students will be given two attempts to pass the examination. Both attempts must be completed before the first week apprenticeship classes’ end.
Provide a transcript showing completion of Math 0960, Beginning Algebra, with a C grade or better within the past two years.
Provide documentation of an ACT math score of 19 or above within the past two years.
Complete the Apprenticeship Math course before or during the first semester of the apprenticeship program

Apprenticeship Math Course

Beginning apprentices must enroll in the Apprenticeship Math course unless they have completed the apprenticehip math competency requirements as listed above.
Apprenticeship Math must be completed before the beginning of the second apprenticeship course.
Apprentices may choose how many hours per week they enroll in Apprenticeship Math. A minimum of 6 hours is suggested to ensure the class is complete before the second apprenticeship semester.
Apprentices may choose to take the Apprenticeship Math class before they begin apprenticeship courses.

Apprenticeship Math Schedule and Tuition

Apprenticeship Math tuition will be charged at a variable rate in addition to the apprenticeship tuition.
Curriculum will be self-paced. Students may complete the course as quickly as they are able.
Apprenticeship Math must be paid monthly in advance. Math classes will be ended if payment is not received by the last business day of the month. The approximate tuition is $80 per month.

Certified Journey Worker

Registered apprenticeships are formalized career training programs that offer a combination of structured on-the-job training, obtained from employers, and related technical instruction, obtained from schools. Apprenticeship training standards are industry-driven; an industry or program sponsor determines the skill requirements needed to build and sustain a quality workforce.

Over time, apprentices are provided the diversity and complexity of training that lead to becoming highly skilled in their chosen occupations.

Apprentices work and learn under the direction of experienced journey workers. Over time, apprentices are provided the diversity and complexity of training that lead to becoming highly skilled in their chosen occupations. As they gain skill, they are compensated through an increase in wages. When the apprenticeship is complete, the apprentice will be eligible for a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship from The United States Department of Labor.

To become a federally recognized and certified journey worker, students must complete these steps:

Students and their employer must register with the Office of Apprenticeship.
Complete all required on-the-job and classroom training.
Meet the state and/or ATELS requirements.

For apprenticeship registration information contact:

Office of Apprenticeship

Juan Pelaez
1600 West 2200 South, Room 101
Salt Lake City, Utah 84119
(801) 975-3650
pelaez-gary.juan@dol.gov

To receive a Certificate of Completion from the Office of Apprenticeship and to be recognized as a certified journeyperson, students must obtain an official college transcript as evidence of their training at the college and present it to their employer. Their employer must mail their college transcript and application for Completion of Apprenticeship to the Office of Apprenticeship.

Electrician and Plumber License

Electricians and plumbers are required to obtain licensure through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. To obtain licensing information and an application, apprenticeship students need to contact:

Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
160 E. 300 South,
PO Box #146741
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6741
Phone: (801) 530-6628
Website: www.dopl.utah.gov

Standards and Expectations

The College maintains partnership with local employers, and we commit to provide students with the necessary job skills to become valued employees; the effort on our part facilitates specific expectations of our apprenticeship students. Thus, they are expected to:

Dress appropriately for their chosen occupation.
Conduct themselves in a professional manner.

Three vital expectations have been identified by local employers as valuable skills on the job:

Do things safely, and complete class work and project assignments as instructed.
Put forth best effort every day on class work and project assignments.
Be on time every day, and attend classes regularly.

Class Attendance

An apprentice must attend at least 81 hours of the possible 90 class hours each semester. This 90% attendance is a mandatory requirement by employers and the Office of Apprenticeship. Any absences beyond this point will result in the student being issued an incomplete (I) grade. Students will then be required to retake the course at their own expense.

The only excused absences are work-related absences. To be excused for work-related absences, a letter on company letterhead signed by the apprentice’s immediate supervisor must be presented to the instructor before the end of the week that the class was missed. A maximum of three work-related absences per semester will be excused. To be marked present, students must be in class during their scheduled time. Students are expected to verify their attendance by checking with their instructors weekly. Attendance rolls may be changed within seven days.

Apprenticeship Grading Policy

There are two possible grades for OWATC apprenticeship courses:

Grade	Comment
Credit (CR)	A credit grade is equivalent to a minimum of a “B” grade.
Incomplete (I)	Students receiving an incomplete grade must retake the course at their own expense.

Credit (CR)

To receive a credit grade for an apprenticeship course, students must:

Maintain 90% attendance.
Complete all course work within the designated time.
Complete all written assignments and tests at 80% or higher.
Complete all lab projects to instructor and blueprint specifications.

Incomplete (I)

Apprenticeship students will receive an incomplete grade when they fail to meet any/all of the criteria listed above. Letter grades may be issued upon request if required by an employer for the purpose of tuition reimbursement to the apprenticeship student. Contact the apprenticeship secretary for more information.

Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships

July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009

See the apprenticeship calendar for deadlines and enrollment information.

Apprenticeship Calendar 2008-2009

Enrollment Fee: $40 initially or after 12 months of withdrawal
Re-enrollment Fee: $20 within 12 months of withdrawal
Tuition: $260 per semester
Apprenticeship Math: tuition is charged at the current variable tuition rate
Official Transcript Fee: Free
Graduation Fee: $15

High School Students:

Tuition is paid for by the sponsoring school district; high school apprenticeship students must purchase their own books.

Tuition Scholarships

See the apprenticeship calendar above for due dates and notification dates.

Apprenticeship Scholarship Application

An OWATC apprenticeship scholarship will cover tuition for first and second year apprenticeship students. Federal/state financial aid is not available for apprenticeship students. Financial aid is available for veterans.

Tuition Scholarship Criteria:

Recipients must have financial need, be in their first or second year of apprenticeship training, and must reapply each year.
Scholarships are awarded in two-semester increments.
Recipients must maintain at least a “CR” grade in apprenticeship training at the college.
Recipients’ attendance must not fall below 90% in any month of training.

How to apply:

Complete the Apprenticeship Scholarship Application form or obtain from the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid, Student Service Building, (801) 627-8309. Include a copy of student’s past year's federal tax return.
Meet with a financial aid representative in the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office in the Student Services Building (801) 627-8327. Scholarship applications must meet the deadline. See the apprenticeship calendar to acquire current scholarship deadlines or contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

Employer Sponsorship

OWATC Apprenticeship Sponsor Voucher

New Apprenticeship Admission Application

Continuing Apprenticeship Admission Application

If the apprentices’ sponsoring company is paying for an apprentice’s tuition, fees, and/or books, attach the OWATC Apprenticeship Sponsor Voucher to the Apprenticeship Admission Application. This voucher authorizes the OWATC to invoice a student’s sponsoring company for the items checked. The sponsoring company will be billed accordingly.

Tuition Refund Policy

Tuition will not be refunded until an official withdrawal is completed. Apprenticeship students may withdraw in the Enrollment Office. Apprenticeship students may call 801-627-8300 to reach the Records Office, Enrollment Office, or a counselor to withdraw in emergency situations only.

Fees are nonrefundable. Refunds for apprenticeship programs that operate with a fixed beginning and ending date and for which a flat tuition rate is charged in advance shall be made as follows:

100 percent prior to the third day of class;
50 percent after the beginning of class up to the point that 33 percent of the instruction has occurred;
0 percent thereafter, with exceptions to be granted on a case-by-case basis by college administration.

Books

Instructors will have a list of supplies and books required for the apprenticeship course the first night of class. Students should arrive prepared to purchase books and supplies. An approximate cost can be obtained by calling the OWATC Bookstore at (801) 627-8353.

Apprenticeship Enrollment

On-Campus Enrollment

For new apprentices and continuing apprentices wanting to enroll at the OWATC main campus:

Complete the math assessment requirements as outlined above before enrolling.
Pass the apprenticeship math competency examination (or) enroll in Apprenticeship Math.
Bring completed New Apprenticeship Admission Application to the Enrollment Office located in the C. Brent Wallis Student Services Building.
Bring check, money order, cash, or OWATC Apprenticeship Sponsor Voucher from their sponsor. Students may also pay for tuition, fees, and books using their MasterCard, VISA, or Discover credit card at the OWATC cashiers window.

The enrollment staff will give apprentices a schedule at the time of enrollment. To contact the Enrollment Office call (801) 627-8420.

Mail-In Enrollment

Only continuing apprentices may register by mail. This method has many advantages. Apprentices will not have to wait in line to enroll, will be ensured a place in the class, will save an extra trip to the OWATC, and will not need to come to the OWATC until the first night of class which will save time and travel expenses. Apprentices will only be mailed a schedule to confirm registration if requested. To register by mail:

Fill-out Continuing Apprenticeship Admission Application.
Attach check, money order, or OWATC Apprenticeship Sponsor Voucher from the student sponsor. Make checks or money orders payable to OWATC. Write social security number at the bottom of the check or money order and mail with the Apprenticeship Admission Application. Students may pay for tuition and fees using MasterCard, Discover Card, or VISA by calling the OWATC Cashier at (801) 627-8313.

Correspondence Education

Correspondence Education Application

To complete apprenticeship education through correspondents, student must follow these steps:

Show proof of math competency or arrange to take the apprenticeship math course along with the apprenticeship class if the math competency was not met. The math class must be completed in the first semester. An apprenticeship student may not attend another apprenticeship class until it has been completed. See math competency requirements listed above.
Meet with the apprenticeship instructor before or during the first week of class to complete a correspondence contract. See the apprenticeship calendar for current dates.
Complete a Correspondence Education Application with the class instructor. Applications may be obtained on line or from the Apprenticeship Coordinator by calling (801)627-8467.
Attach to Correspondence Education Application – A letter, on company letterhead, from the apprentice’s employer verifying the apprentice lives more than 50 miles from the OWATC or another institution that offers the same training or that their work schedule conflicts with the OWATC course times.
If the student is out of town and unable to meet with the apprenticeship instructor, it is their employer’s responsibility to meet with the program instructor and complete the Crrespondence Education Application.

Graduation

Completing Your Education

Students will be eligible for a Certificate of Proficiency from the OWATC when they successfully complete all of the required courses and master the necessary competencies. Graduation ceremonies are held each year in the winter and spring. To be eligible to participate in graduation, apprenticeship students must complete the following steps:

Meet with the OWATC Registrar to confirm all requirements are complete.
Apply for an Apprenticeship Certificate of Proficiency.

An invitation to attend graduation will be mailed to the student’s home. Graduates may invite family and friends to attend and the graduation ceremony and help celebrate the apprentice’s accomplishment.

Recognition and Certification

Apprentices that fulfill the on-the-job training and formalized work-related classroom instruction may go on to receive state, national, and trade organization certification.

The skills acquired by completing an apprenticeship program are portable and transferable. They are based on state and national skill standards. These agencies define and certify the apprenticeship training:

The Office of Apprenticeship, Training, Employer and Labor Services (ATELS)
Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL)
Local employer advisory teams
The Utah State Office of Education

To receive a Certificate of Completion from the Office of Apprenticeship and to be recognized as a certified journeyperson, see information listed above under Certified Journey Worker.

A UCAT Campus

Apprenticeship Program

Apprenticeship Links

Apprenticeship Overview