Apprenticeship Program
Why Apprenticeship?
Because you can EARN while You LEARN! To learn more about the Application Process Click Here for the Anaheim Location, Click Here for the LA/Ventura Location or Click Here for the Riverside Location.
Did you know that the construction industry is the largest employer in the United States? Skilled craft professionals are in high demand in the construction industry. Millions of employees are secure in their craft professional career path and making a good living because they have hands-on experience and technical knowledge.
Offering the best of both worlds, apprenticeship puts you on the payroll while you learn the skills you need to earn top wages. Apprenticeship is a formal training program in which an employer and employee agree to participate. The employee (apprentice) learns a craft while earning income through a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction. It is a proven way to become a craft professional.
At ABC, we want to help you plan and realize dreams. Research shows that apprenticeship training gives construction workers a considerable advantage over those trained by informal means.
PROGRAMS AVAILABLE:
ABC SoCal offers fully accredited, state and federally approved apprenticeship training programs in the following trades:
Anaheim:
- Electrical Program
- Plumbing Program
- Low Voltage Program
- Sheet Metal Program
LA/Ventura:
- Electrical Program
ADVANTAGES INCLUDE:
- Qualifies you for a higher level of pay.
- Exposes you to the latest technology and building codes.
- Offers you life-long mobility through a nationally recognized certification program of your skills.
- Employs nationally certified instructors with standardized curriculum including current textbooks and videos.
APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATION PROCESS:
To apply for ABC SoCal Apprentice Programs, click HERE for the Anaheim location or click HERE for the LA/Ventura location to download the Apprenticeship Enrollment Packet. Please note that all applicants must be at least 17 ½ years of age to apply for enrollment.
STEP 1:
Complete the information on the Apprentice Application and submit the completed application with the following required items to ABC SoCal Anaheim Office by mail at: 1400 N. Kellogg Drive, Ste. A Anaheim, CA 92807, or to ABC SoCal LA/Ventura Office at: 12979 Arroyo Avenue, San Fernando, CA 91340. These six (6) items must be submitted before your application can be processed.
- Must be 17 ½ and Older to Apply (Legal Guardian must sign if under 18)
- A photo copy of your High School Diploma or GED
- An enlarged photocopy of your Social Security Card
- An enlarged photocopy of your Driver’s License
- A K4 DMV printout (driving record) You must personally go to the DMV to request this
- Sealed Official Transcripts; indicating one year of high school algebra or one semester of college algebra with a passing grade.
You may also come by the office and drop off your Application Packet between the hours of 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
STEP 2:
Once we receive your application and all required documentation (listed above) your application will be reviewed and you will be scheduled for:
- Aptitude Test – to which applicants will be administered McGraw-Hill’s TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) free of charge. This test contains sections on the following subjects: Reading, Language, Mathematics Computation and Applied Mathematics. Applicants must attain a passing minimum score of 70% or better. *You have two opportunities to pass the test, should you not pass the test on your second try, you will have to wait ONE YEAR to re-apply for the program.
- Oral Interview – Applicants must attain a passing score of 80% or better. *Should you not pass the interview process the first time, you will have to wait ONE YEAR to re-apply for the program.
- Orientation – A six hour program orientation for signing paperwork and learning about ABC SoCal
If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact Anaheim Training Department at 714-779-3187 or by email at [email protected] or LA/Ventura Training Department at 818-898-2099 or by email at Irene Cruz: [email protected].
Benefits of being in the Electrical field:
- This program is governed by the State of California and/or the Federal Standards and Program Rules and Regulations
- Length of the program is four and a half years – 8,000 on-the-job training hours
- Program is overseen by the following: ABC SoCal Merit Training Trust (For Anaheim), Los Angeles/Ventura Merit Training Trust Fund (For Los Angeles) and the Electrical Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee.
- Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as outlined
- Anaheim Location – 8 hours a day for two consecutive weeks every four to six months, for a total of 80 hours per semester, 160 hours per year.
- LA/Ventura Location – 4 hours per night for 20 weeks, 80 hours per semester.
To view the curriculum for this program, click here.
Electrician Skills
Electricians read blueprints to install electrical systems in factories, office buildings, homes, and other structures. They also install coaxial cable for television or fiber optic cable for computers and telecommunications equipment. Electricians who specialize in residential work install wire and hardware like electrical panel boxes, receptacles, light switches, and electrical light fixtures or replace outdated fuse boxes. Those who work in large factories as commercial electricians install or repair motors, transformers, generators, or electronics controllers on machine tools and industrial robots. They use numerous hand tools, operate power tools, and use electric testing meters.
Electricians must use their athletic capabilities. Eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, and physical balance are important for climbing ladders or operating power tools. Thanks to safety training programs, employers have greatly reduced accidents on the job. Electricians work outdoors and indoors – working closely with other trades.
For more skill definition click here.
Benefits of being in the Plumbing field:
- This program is governed by the State of California and/or the Federal Standards and Program Rules and Regulations
- Length of the program is four years – 7,200 on-the-job training hours
- Classes will meet one night per week plus three Saturdays
- 4 hours per night for 19 weeks and three 8 hour classes, 100 hours per semester, 200 hours per year
- Program is overseen by the ABC SoCal Merit Training Trust and the Plumbing Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee
- Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as outlined on the ‘Apprenticeship’ page
To view the curriculum for this program, click here.
Plumber Skills
Blueprint reading or drawings, estimate materials and install or repair water supply lines, drainage systems, and gas systems. Plumber’s measure, cut, and install plastic, copper, steel, and cast iron pipe. Make connections with silver solder and a torch; or plumbing fittings; etc. Plumbers cut holes in walls, ceilings, and floors to attach or hang pipes for connection to fixtures. They also install plumbing fixtures – bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets – and appliances such as dishwashers and water heaters. Plumbers use numerous hand tools, like: tubing cutters, torpedo levels and various wrenches.
Today’s plumbers operate power threading machines, air-acetylene torches, power drills, and saber-saws. Plumbers must use their athletic capabilities. Eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, and physical balance are important for climbing ladders or operating power tools. Thanks to safety training programs, employers have greatly reduced accidents on the job. Plumbers work outdoors and indoors – working closely with other trades.
For more skill definition: click here.
The benefits of apprenticeship in Low Voltage:
- This program is governed by the State of California and/or the Federal Standards and Program Rules and Regulations
- Length of the program is three years – 4,800 on-the-job training hours
- Classes will meet one night per week
- 4 hours per night for 19 weeks, 75 hours per semester, 150 hours per year
- Program is overseen by the ABC SoCal Merit Training Trust and the Electronic Systems Technician / Voice Data Video Unilateral
- Apprenticeship Committee
- Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as outlined
To view the curriculum for this program, click here.
Electronic Systems Tech Skills
We live in a world of connections. Every commercial and residential unit needs to be wired with audio/video circuits, cabling, fiber optics, computer networks, or telecommunications and satellite systems. The Electronic Systems Technician (EST) program will teach you how to install, connect, troubleshoot, and repair all of these systems and components. They get experience in different aspects of designing, maintaining and repairing electronic systems in home and business environments.
This trade is responsible for keeping cabling, audio/video circuits, computer networks, fiber optics, telecommunications and satellite systems up and running. Without them we would not be able to use the World Wide Web, our computers, fire alarm systems, our cable televisions, and our phones systems.
From the start of a construction project to its completion, the EST is a vital link to the overall success of all modern buildings. They also work with closed circuit televisions, video studio equipment, cameras, video recorders, paging systems, public address, intercom, electronic controls, and fire life safety systems.
Some of the state of the art test equipment they use includes oscilloscopes, wave form monitors, and pattern generators. This career can be physically challenging, with lifting, climbing, carrying and balancing involved. It is also mentally challenging, since having knowledge of local building codes, organizational skills, and the ability to visualize are all part of the job.
For more skill definition click here.
Benefits of being in the Sheet Metal field:
- This program is governed by the State of California and/or the Federal Standards and Program Rules and Regulations
- Length of the program is four years – 6,500 on-the-job training hours
- Classes will meet one night per week
- 4 hours per night for 20 weeks, 80 hours per semester, 160 hours per year
- Officially recognized training providers for North American Technician Excellence
- Program is overseen by the ABC SoCal Merit Training Trust and the Sheet Metal Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee
- Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as outlined
To view the curriculum for this program, click here.
Sheet Metal Skills
Metal in the form of large, flat sheets can be cut, bent, joined, and installed to become duct work, downspouts, skylights, signs, siding, and many other products found in a building. Sheet metal professionals make, install, and maintain these things and many more. In addition to sheet metal, these professionals may also work with plastic and fiberglass. They read blueprints and specifications, take measurements, construct the various components, check them for accuracy, and then install the pieces where needed. Work can be done in a factory, in an existing building, or on a construction job site. This craft uses a lot of different tools, such as drills, hammers, welding rods, and shears.
If you have good math and reading skills, the ability to visualize something and are interested in working with lots of different kinds of tools, this can be a great career. It requires skill, dexterity, and a creative mind. There is a lot of variety in this trade. Sheet metal professionals cut, fit, assemble, and occasionally weld. This is challenging and satisfying work.
No day or project is ever the same and can be physically challenging. There is standing, climbing, and bending involved and hand and eye coordination is also an asset. It is also mentally challenging, the ability to make accurate calculations and think ahead are very important, as are solid algebra and geometry skills.
For more skill definition click here.
Q. What approved apprenticeship programs does ABC SoCal offer and how long is each program?
A. All programs are listed on our website.
Q. What are the wages that I will be making?
A. The wages are set by the State of California and the Department of Labor, NOT ABC. The wages are determined by where the project is located and when the project was bid. For samples only, visit our Labor Compliance section.
Q. Do I need experience?
A. It is not necessary to have any experience. You will receive both On-the-Job-Training and classroom instruction.
Q. How long will it take to get into the program? A. It will depend upon how many applicants are ahead of you. (After all of the required documents are received).
Q. Do I have to find my own work?
A. ABC is not a job placement center, we are a member based apprenticeship program. However, if you are accepted into the program you will be dispatched to one of our member firms for on-the-job training.
Q. What if I am currently working for a contractor?
A. As long as all of the requirements are met, you will be placed on a waiting list for the next step of the application process. Once accepted, you will be dispatched to that company as an apprentice, as long as you are on the company’s payroll prior to entering the program. If the contractor is not a member of ABC SoCal, speak to your employer about becoming one. Otherwise, ABC will dispatch you to a member of ABC SoCal.
Q. If I have experience, will I have to start at the first level?
A. Depending on how many verifiable on-the-job training hours you have in the specific trade you are applying to get into, you could request to take the challenge test, as outlined in the Rules and Regulations of the program.
Q. How much does the program cost?
A. The only out of pocket expense an individual has is the cost of your required tools for the trade and your classroom textbooks each year.
Q. When will I go to school?
A. Anaheim: Electrical classes are scheduled twice a year in what is called “Two-Week tracks”. After you are accepted into the Electrical Apprenticeship program, which is effective the first day you start work, you will work for 4 to 6 months then come to school for two weeks straight Monday – Friday, 8 hours a day. After completing the two-week semester, you will go back to work for another 4 to 6 months and so forth.
A. LA/Ventura: Electrial classes are scheduled twice a year for Spring and Fall it will be 4 hours per night for 20 weeks, 80 hours per semester, 160 hours per year. If you enter the program after the Fall Semester begins you will not start school until the next Fall class session begins.
Plumbing, HVAC, Sheet Metal and Low Voltage classes are two semesters per year, Fall and Spring. You will attend school at least once a week at night for four hours. If you enter the program after the Fall semester begins you will not start school until the next Fall class session begins.
