Apprenticeships
Building Skills, Crafting Futures
Your Path to a Lifelong Career
At the Fort Smith Adult Education Center, we offer robust apprenticeship programs that equip you with the skills and experience needed to excel in high-demand trades. Our programs in Electrical, Residential Construction, and Plumbing provide a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on training, setting you on a path to a successful and rewarding career. Partnering with industry leaders, we ensure our apprentices gain the expertise and credentials required to thrive in their chosen fields.
Electrical Apprenticeship
This four-year program, licensed by the Arkansas Department of Labor, Board of Electrical Examiners, includes 640 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. Graduates are eligible to apply for the journeyman electrician's exam, paving the way to a career in the electrical trade. Classes are offered in partnership with the Arkansas Construction Education Foundation.
Residential Construction Apprenticeship Program (RCAP)
In partnership with the Greater Fort Smith Association of Homebuilders, this 18-month program includes 288 hours of training in essential construction skills, from framing walls to installing green building techniques. This program prepares apprentices for a wide range of opportunities in residential construction.
Plumbing Apprenticeship
Offered in collaboration with Action, Inc., this four-year program combines full-time employment with evening classes, totaling 640 hours of training. Upon completion, apprentices are eligible to sit for the Journeyman Plumbing License exam. The program also offers comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) matching, and more.
Job Search and Interview Skills
This course equips students with essential techniques for finding and applying for jobs in the construction industry. Participants will learn how to navigate the apprenticeship and job application process, complete applications, craft a resume that highlights relevant experience, practice interview techniques, and track their career exploration activities.