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Apprenticeship Programs

Mercer County Technical Schools offers Federal and State approved apprenticeship training programs. Some programs may satisfy Veterans Education requirements. An apprentice must take a minimum of 156 hours of job-related schooling per year of apprenticeship. Students must successfully complete all units of a program (usually 16 units) in order to qualify for program completion.

All apprenticeship courses are designed to aid apprentices both in theory and some practical experience. Emphasis will be placed on those areas not covered in the daily job requirements.

An apprenticeship can be accomplished by having your employer contact the Federal Department of Labor. Mercer County Technical Post-Secondary Education conducts the related instruction portion of apprenticeship training and in no manner securing employment relative to apprentices. Certificates are issued upon successful completion of a program. Additional apprenticeship programs can be instituted by requests from the local industry, if feasible.

The following is a complete breakdown of course descriptions and related instruction courses for the apprenticeship program as administered by the Mercer County Technical Adult Evening School. Each block of instruction consists of 39 hours and is broken into thirteen 3-hour class sessions.

The services of the Apprenticeship Coordinator are available by appointment for guidance and counseling. For information or an appointment call Post-Secondary Education at (609) 586-5146.

If you have any questions about the Apprenticeship Programs please reach out by clicking here.

Carpentry Apprenticeship

4-Year Program/156 Hours per year

This program includes sixteen 39-hour units, two nights per week. This is a theory-structured program with hands-on application and is intended to complement the student’s on-the-job training. This program includes construction safety, basic industrial

math, blueprint reading, hand and power tool use, materials, ladders, and scaffolding, foundations, concrete and stairs, decking and siding, floor, wall and roof framing, roof materials, exterior finishes, and interior finishes and trim. CPR course is required (through a private arrangement) for an additional fee. Extra fee required for lab units.

Location: Assunpink Center

Years 1, 2, 3, 4 – 2 Nights – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Electrical Apprenticeship

4-Year Program/156 Hours per year

This program includes sixteen 39-hour units, two nights per week. AC & DC textbook required. This is a theory-structured program intended to complement the student’s on-the-job training. The program includes basic math, identification of tools used in the trade, basic rigging, basic and advanced electrical theory, blueprint reading, fasteners, conduits, grounding, circuit breakers and fuses, residential, commercial and industrial wiring, electrical motor controls, load and motor calculations, fire alarm systems and HVAC controls. Students will also study the National Electric Code and related materials in preparation for the successful completion of the State License Exam. Second-year students will be required to take an additional CPR course (through private arrangement) for an additional fee.

Location: Assunpink Center

Years 1, 2, 3, 4 – 2 Nights – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Apprenticeship

4-Year Program/156 Hours per year

This program includes sixteen 39-hour units, two nights per week. This is a theory-structured program with hands-on application and is intended to complement the student’s on-the-job training. This program includes basic safety, rigging, trade mathematics, blueprint reading, basic electricity, introduction to cooling and heating, installation practices, refrigeration and air conditioning, air movements, maintenance skills, compressors and heat pumps, hydronic systems, light and heavy commercial, sheet metal, service and troubleshooting of systems. This program will also study refrigerant transition and recovery and students will sit for the accompanying test. Includes focus on codes necessary for the successful completion of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 608 Universal Certification Exam. Extra fee required for lab units.

Location: Assunpink Center

Years 1, 2, 3, 4 – 2 Nights – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship

4-Year Program/156 Hours per year

This program includes sixteen 39-hour units, two nights per week. This program is intended to provide area manufacturers with the training resources needed to prepare or upgrade production maintenance personnel with the electromechanical skills and knowledge required for the in-plant application. This is a theory-structured program without hands-on application in the first year of the program. There will be a hands-on application in years 2, 3, and 4. This program includes basic safety, basic and advanced math, blueprint reading, industrial wiring, electromechanical processes, principles of process piping, mechanical processes, Welding Theory I and II, flat and horizontal welding, vertical welding lab, Pneumatics I and II, basic lathe operations (hands-on), and cutting and milling (hands-on).

Location: Assunpink Center

Years 1, 2, 3, 4 – 2 Nights – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Machinist Apprenticeship

4-Year Program/156 Hours per year

This program includes sixteen 39-hour units, two nights per week. This is a theory-structured program without hands-on application in the first year of the program. There will be a hands-on application in years 2, 3, and 4. The program is intended to complement the student’s on-the-job training. This program includes basic safety, basic and advanced math, blueprint reading, Basic Lathe Operations I and II (hands-on), Cutting and Milling I and II (hands-on), measuring and metrology, drill press, and bench work, milling and grinding, lathe and tooling, metallurgy, manufacturing processes, and AUTO CAD I and II.

Location: Assunpink Center

Years 1, 2, 3, 4 – 2 Nights – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Plumbing Apprenticeship

4-Year Program/156 Hours per year

This program includes sixteen 39-hour units, two nights per week. This is a theory-structured program without hands-on application and is intended to complement the student’s on-the-job training. This program includes some use of tools, plumbing math, blueprint reading, basic rigging, water heaters, drainage systems, waste systems, ventilation systems, heating systems, and pumping systems. Also included are first aid and CPR training (through private arrangement) for an additional fee. There will be a focus and discussion on the various codes related to the course content to prepare students for the successful completion of the State Master Plumber Exam.

Location: Assunpink Center

Years 1, 2, 3, 4 – 2 Nights – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Years 1, 2, 3, 4 – 2 Nights – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Welding Apprenticeship

3-Year Program/156 Hours per year

This is a theory-structured program with hands-on application and is intended to complement the student’s on-the-job training. The curriculum is based on Safety, Welding Equipment, Basic Metal Fabrication, Math and Blueprint Reading, Hands on Oxy/Acc, and Mig and Tig Welding in all positions with Plasma and Flame Cutting.

Location: Assunpink Center

Years 1, 2, 3 – 2 Nights – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.