Earn While You Learn Apprenticeships

It's a work-based learning model combining paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. This intentional training path prepares you for skilled careers while allowing for advancement.

Apprenticeships provide a unique path to a career by allowing you to earn while you learn. Apprentices gain hands-on experience, college credit, and mentorship from industry experts, all while building valuable connections and opening doors for future opportunities. At Interstates, our Department of Labor-approved programs are industry-recognized, and some are also VA-approved, making it easy for Veterans to use their GI bill benefits.

Anyone meeting program requirements who demonstrates skills and desire to advance their career. See job listings for specific requirements.

Program lengths vary:

• Electrical: 2-4 years (depending on experience)
• Manufacturing: 18 months
• OT & Programming: 1 year
• VDC Designer: 4 years

For electrical, most tech school programs count as credit. An AAS in Electrical or Instrumentation typically starts you as a second-year apprentice. Other programs are competency-based, with potential for earlier completion if skills are mastered.

Electrical: This program offers in-person and virtual classes in Sioux Center, IA, or Omaha, NE. The early courses are in person, and some advanced classes are available virtually. The job sites are located across the US for on-the-job training (OJT).

Manufacturing: Apprentices have weekly in-person classes at Northwest Community College in Sheldon, IA, with OJT in our prefabrication shop in Sioux Center, IA.

OT & Programming: Apprentices can be based in either our Sioux Falls, SD, or Sioux Center, IA offices and must be willing to commute to weekly in-person classes at Northwest Community College in Sheldon, IA.

VDC: This program has virtual and in-person classes in Sioux Center, IA, or Omaha, NE, and can be completed anywhere if you're willing to travel for in-person classes.

Electrical & VDC: Online coursework starts immediately upon enrollment. Apprentices attend classes every 6 months for review and testing of the material, and competencies are evaluated throughout the duration of the program. This is approximately a week long.

Programming, OT, and Manufacturing: Class hours vary from 10 to 20 hours and may be as little as 5 hours per week.

Yes, all our apprentices are paid while in the classroom, completing Required Technical Instruction (RTI).

Interstates provides lodging upon request for electrical and VDC apprentices outside one of our training center locations. Other apprenticeships require individuals living in the Sioux Center, IA, area to commute to class. Meals are not provided for any apprenticeship program.

All apprentices must demonstrate satisfactory progress in both the Required Technical Instruction (RTI) and On-the-Job Learning (OJL) portions of the program. Some hands-on performance testing may be required at one of our training center locations. Please note the method of testing may vary by program.

Electrical and VDC: Testing is through NCCER. If an apprentice does not pass, they're given the opportunity to study and retest.

Manufacturing, Programming, and OT: Testing is through Northwest Community College. If an apprentice does not pass, they're given the opportunity to study and retest.

Yes, our goal is to build a skilled workforce. If there is an opening, we welcome apprentices to continue their career journey with Interstates and will support their future development.

While we prefer completion, there are no repercussions for choosing a different path.

You’ll work out of our Fort Collins, CO office and their job sites, but you’ll be subject to the IEC program schedule for class work. There may be differences in the apprenticeship program for class schedule, testing, etc., but the goal is still the same—to be ready to take the journeyman test. If you have questions, please talk to your recruiter.