Apprentices learn trades firsthand
North Idaho College Workforce Training Electrical Apprenticeship students work in the lab as part of the hours of classroom instruction required for apprentices to receive their journeyman’s card.
Apprenticeship programs at North Idaho College have been trending up in recent years.
NIC Workforce and Economic Development Executive Director Colby Mattila said most of the programs last about four years of training, depending on the trade.
“It's a pretty big program for us, we range from the construction trades to health care,” Mattila said. “We're not limited we can offer apprenticeships in pretty much anything you want and we can design it and build it for companies to make their workforce grow.”
Over the last decade, Idaho went from having 50 registered active apprentices in 2014 and by June 2024, that shot up to 2,787, according to state and national program data.
NIC’s Workforce Training Center offers apprenticeships in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), dental assistant, and certified nursing assistant, electrical, plumbing, heavy equipment, construction and medical assistant professions.
Students participating as apprentices learn the skills of their future occupation through a combination of hands-on training and targeted classroom instruction.
Earning a certification or journeyman card establishes the credentials that an individual developed the expertise, skills and experience necessary to perform in their chosen field.
CNA, medical assistant and dental assistant apprentices are also present in the ever-changing apprenticeship program.
Mattila asked any businesses interested in training their future workforce to consider becoming a part of the program.
“We would love to offer apprenticeships to anybody,” Mattila said.
For more information about apprenticeship classes, visit nic.edu/apprenticeship or call 208-769-3214.
An apprenticeship student works in the HVAC lab while training as an apprentice through the NIC Workforce Training Center.
