Apprentice Admissions

Tohono O’odham Community College offers apprenticeships in Carpentry (8,000 hours), Construction Painting (6,000 hours), Electrical (8,000 hours), and Plumbing (8,000 hours).

Apprentice Admissions

Tohono O’odham Community College offers apprenticeships in Carpentry (8,000 hours), Construction Painting (6,000 hours), Electrical (8,000 hours), and Plumbing (8,000 hours).

Apprentice Admissions

Apprenticeships & Building and Construction Technologies (BCT)

Staff Information

Robert Wambolt

Director of Operations

rwambolt@tocc.edu

PH: (520) 383-0063

Cell (W): (520) 878-7247

Pauline Nasewytewa

pnasewytewa@tocc.edu

Apprenticeship Program/BCT Advisor

PH: (520)-383-0013

The apprenticeships are based on a curriculum developed by the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), whose website is www.nccer.org. Apprentices who achieve journeyperson status are awarded a certificate by the state of Arizona, and they may also participate in graduation ceremonies at TOCC.

In addition to apprenticeships, the College offers basic certificates and advanced certificates in the four building and construction trades, as well as Associate of Applied Science degrees in Electrical and Plumbing. The requirements for these certificates and degrees can be found in the 2020-2022 Academic College Catalog

Admission to the Apprenticeship Program

Before applying to the program, applicants need to understand that TOCC’s Apprenticeship program requires a high degree of responsibility and commitment. Attaining journeyperson status usually takes 3-4 years. The minimum number of hours an apprentice must put in to earn the certificate in his or her chosen field is 6,000 hours, with a maximum of 8,000 hours. Apprentices log approximately 2,000 hours per year. The number of hours and requirements for each apprenticeship program is unique, and students should check under each program for this information.

Eligibility

Anyone 18 years of age or older possessing a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (a GED) may apply to enter the Apprenticeship program. Applicants are required to take the following steps:

  • Complete and submit the Apprenticeship application form to TOCC’s Occupational Programs Office.

  • With the application, submit a copy of birth certificate, Social Security card, Tribal Enrollment card, and income verification for the past six months.

  • An interview with the instructor for the student’s program will be scheduled at the time the application is submitted.

  • Take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE Test). Test results will be shared with the instructor to give him or her information about the student’s level of basic skills.

  • Complete the interview with the appropriate instructor. Applicants must arrive promptly for the interview.

  • Attend an orientation session provided by Occupational Programs staff of TOCC.​

Requirements

Apprenticeship applicants must meet these requirements:

  • Be physically fit; a physical examination and/or drug testing may be required.

  • Have a driver’s license and a safe driving record.

  • Meet all trade-related requirements for training and possible employment during training

Financial Information

The apprenticeship program is free to enrolled students. Students do not pay tuition for the college courses nor for related training. Textbooks are paid for by the program. Apprentices on OJT are paid wages by the contractor; wages are a percentage of journeyman wages. The percentage is dependent upon the status of the apprentice with the program, ranging from 55% to 95%. Under certain guidelines, stipends and scholarships are available for apprenticeship students. Please see TOCC’s Financial Aid Administrator for more information.

Program Schedule

Classes are held at TOCC’s West Campus (formerly the Career Center), while OJT is performed on work sites or on community projects. The program is year-round when the College is open. Generally, the hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. When apprentices are on OJT, they work according to the contractors’ schedules.