Earn While You Learn

Santiago Canyon College (SCC) is recognized as having the largest apprenticeship program in the California Community Colleges system. In 2012-2013, more than 4,500 students were enrolled in the SCC Apprenticeship Program. The program is offered in conjunction with various employers including several labor unions and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

An apprenticeship is a system of learning while earning and practicing occupational skills. By working under the guidance of skilled workers, called journeyworkers, apprentices get on-the-job training and are paid a living wage from the first day they are hired. Apprenticeship classes are exempt from regular college tuition and enrollment fees.

The options offered at SCC include:

• Carpentry - Acoustical Tile, Drywall/Lather, Drywall Finisher, Plastering: These are three-year programs and apprentices are required to supply their own tools.
• Carpentry - Concrete, Finish Carpentry, Framing, Tilt-up: Each of these options is a four-year program and apprentices are required to supply their own tools.
• Carpentry - Millwright: This is a five-year program and apprentices are required to supply their own tools.
• Carpentry - Pile Driver: This is a four-year program and apprentices are required to supply their own tools.
• Cosmetology: This is a two-year program that requires working at least 32 hours a week and attending at least 220 hours of college credit supplemental classroom instruction. At the completion of the program, the apprentice must apply for a professional license, pay the appropriate fee, and pass the state licensure examination.
• Electrician - Industrial, Sound/Communication: These programs take from three to five years to complete, plus 4,800 to 8,000 hours of on-the-job-training.
• Maintenance Mechanic: This program takes four years to complete and requires 90 hours per semester of college credit supplemental instruction.
• Operating Engineers: This program has four different options-- Heavy Equipment Operator, Heavy Duty Repair, Plant Equipment/Rock, Sand and Gravel, and Special Inspection-- each taking three years to complete.
• Power Lineman: This program takes about 3 ½ years to complete and includes 7,000 hours on- the-job training.
• Surveying Chainman, Chief of Party

Apprentices start earning a percentage of the skilled worker’s wage and receive increases at regular intervals. Starting rates are usually 35-50 percent and increases are given every six months in most trades. Each apprentice signs an apprentice agreement with a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, a Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee or an individual employer.

Upon successful completion of training, apprentices are issued a “Certificate of Completion” by the State of California. This certificate recognizes the apprentice as a skilled journeyworker.

For more information on the SCC Apprenticeship Programs, call (714) 628-4883 or visit www.sccollege.edu/bcte.