Earn while you learn ApprenticeshipPCC

To become an apprentice, you must:

1. Secure employment or paid on-the-job training with an approved ApprenticeshipPCC employer partner.
2. Make an appointment with the Freeman Center to enroll in required courses and be approved as a PCC apprentice.

Both steps must be completed before you are considered an approved PCC apprentice.

Please note that an apprenticeship placement is not guaranteed. Applicants who do not secure employment or paid on-the-job training with an approved ApprenticeshipPCC employer partner but choose to enroll in program courses will still be able to complete PCC courses; however, their tuition will not be waived if they do not have prior approval as a PCC apprentice.

Tuition waivers are available only for approved apprentices in approved apprenticeship courses.

Please note:

• Only pre-approved program courses are covered by the tuition waiver.
• Students must meet California residency requirements to qualify.

• Approved PCC apprentices will be registered with the Department of Labor (DOL) and/or the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS). PCC apprentices will receive DOL/DAS forms once they are registered in the system. Receipt of signed DOL/DAS forms will confirm approval as a PCC apprentice.
• Apprentices are responsible for providing a viable email address and checking it regularly.

Each apprenticeship pathway has its own selection criteria. Approval of apprentice status is based on factors such as:

• Program-specific requirements (e.g., course prerequisites)
• Job openings at employer 
• The number of approved apprenticeship worksites for the semester

Because worksite availability varies, the number of apprentices accepted each term may be limited.

Yes! All PCC students interested in apprenticeships are encouraged to meet with an apprenticeship counselor. Apprenticeship Counselors can help you with:

• Understanding apprenticeship opportunities at PCC
• Determining if an apprenticeship pathway is a good fit
• Planning your academic and career path
• Exploring other ways to gain relevant work experience

If you are not currently enrolled at PCC, you can still learn about our apprenticeship programs. Since non-PCC students do not have a student ID, they have limited access to campus services. However, you can submit an inquiry to the apprenticeship program email to request more information and a member from our team will contact you to provide next steps. 

Potential apprentices must*:

• be 18 years of age or older.
• have the ability to verify the legal right to work in the United States. International students, including students on a student visa, are not eligible to participate in PCC apprenticeship programs. 
• meet California in-state residency requirements.
• have a high school diploma, GED, HiSET, or equivalent.

*Please note that there may be additional program-specific requirements to be eligible for the apprenticeship program. Please meet with an Apprenticeship Counselor to ensure eligibility.

Fill out the apprenticeship program interest form and an Apprenticeship Counselor will be in contact with you within 3-5 business days.

Individuals are only able to pursue one apprenticeship program. If you need support with deciding which apprenticeship program may be the best fit, please schedule an appointment with one of our Apprenticeship Counselors to explore your options.

• Approved apprentices who meet all eligibility requirements will have their tuition waived but will not be paid for hours spent in class and/or completing course assignments.
• Apprentices are paid for the on-the-job training portion of the apprenticeship program once a placement has been secured. Pay rates will vary based on the apprenticeship program and our employer partners.

• If all eligibility requirements are met, tuition will be 100% covered.
• Textbook and materials must be paid out of pocket. Costs will vary depending on the apprenticeship program. 

• ApprenticeshipPCC serves incumbent workers, too!
• Ask your employer to check out the industry page, and have them fill out the “contact us” form. 
• PCC will reach out to them to inquire about becoming an employer partner. 
• If your employer becomes an ApprenticeshipPCC employer partner, they may be able to make tuition-free PCC courses available to their employees at no cost to either the employer or the employee.