Apprenticeships

woman holding laptop on construction site

Apprenticeships provide a mix of technical education and on-the-job training. There are apprenticeships available in numerous fields, from law enforcement to construction to culinary arts. The best part: Not only do you learn about trades and/or technology, but you earn money while doing so. Explore how an apprenticeship could work for you. 

Becoming an apprentice is a way to train for a career through a mix of courses and on-the-job learning. Apprenticeships often provide the opportunity to learn a highly skilled trade and get paid while you're doing so. These two-to-four year programs provide a pathway to well-paid jobs.

Resources to find apprenticeships

TPS pre-apprentice program helps train students for jobs in the trades while earning a wage

Construction trade jobs, such as carpentry, electrician, HVAC, plumbing, pipefitting, and more, are in high demand and offer family-wage pay. In partnership with Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 26, TPS created a pre-apprentice program where students earn money while learning a trade alongside a TPS union employee. We hope this program is the first of many. 

Interested students can submit a short interest form and will complete a free two-week Introduction to Plumbers and Pipefitters (HIPP) program this summer. HIPP is facilitated in partnership with Graduate Tacoma, who is helping to ensure the program participants reflect the diversity of our community, including more participation from female students and students of color.  

HIPP is one of many summer programs offered by TPS where students can earn industry credentials. All programs are part of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings; we are committed to ensuring each student is ready for life after high school.