Earn While You Learn
Northwest AGC’s apprenticeship program is training tomorrow’s workers today
I
f there were to be an official motto for the apprenticeship program offered by the Inland Northwest Chapter of the Associated General
paid to learn while you have a job.” The AGC apprenticeship program offers
By Jim Timlick classes or related supplemental instruction (RSI)
provided
by
AGC
certified
three different streams of instruction:
instructors. Heavy equipment apprentices
carpenter,
equipment
are required to complete 6,000 hours of
Contractors of America (AGC), it might
operator, and laborer. It’s open to any
OJT and 640 hours of classes while labor
well be ‘training tomorrow’s workforce
individual 17 years of age or older with
apprentices must total 6,000 hours of OJT
today’.
a high school diploma or GED, a driver’s
and 480 hours of classes. Ankney says the
construction
The program was conceived in 1995
license, and a valid social security card,
length of time it takes to complete the
to provide skills and safety training
passport, or work Visa. The only other
program depends largely on how long it
to individuals starting work in the
requirement, Ankney says, is “a willingness
takes an individual to complete their OJT
construction sector, as well as existing
to learn.”
requirement, but most apprentices fulfill
tradespeople looking to augment their
Apprentices can enter the program one
skillset. At the time, it was the first
of two ways. The first method is direct
apprenticeship program in the region
entry in which companies can enroll a new
Some employers continue to pay
available to non-union contractors. Today,
or experienced employee whom they think
workers during the classroom portion of
between 240 and 260 apprentices take part
will benefit from the training. AGC also
training but are not required to do so by
in the program in any given year.
recruits individuals to the program who
law. In most cases, individuals can apply
can then be hired by member companies
for unemployment benefits if they are not
once they complete their training.
receiving their regular wage.
“It’s the ability to earn while you learn,” says Mike Ankney, Director of
their commitments in between three to five years.
Apprenticeship for the AGC’s Inland
Carpenters enrolled in the program
Ankney says during the first few years of
Northwest chapter, of the program’s appeal
must log 8,000 hours of on-the-job
the apprenticeship program participants
to young workers. “You’re basically being
training (OJT), as well as 640 hours of
learn the “meat and potatoes” of their
20 BUILDING IDAHO • 2022 SPRING/SUMMER
