Trades Apprenticeship Programs at Foothill College
Apprenticeship Programs - Pick a Trade and Learn More
If you enjoy working with your hands, have mechanical aptitude, and are motivated to solve real-world problems, an apprenticeship might be the ideal career path for you. An apprenticeship typically lasts up to five years (depending on the trade), and during that time you’ll combine earning with learning: on-the-job hours plus classroom instruction.
Our Apprenticeship Offerings include:
When you complete an apprenticeship, you’re not just earning a certificate—you’re entering an established career path with upward mobility, union and non-union options, and the opportunity to join a skilled community of trades professionals. With the strong demand for trained workers in California’s construction and building-services sectors, your investment in an apprenticeship pays off. |
American Aerospace Technical Academy (AATA)
Ready to Begin your Career in Aerospace Inspection and Non-Destructive Testing? Begin your future in aerospace and advanced manufacturing through Foothill College’s registered apprenticeship in partnership with the American Aerospace Technical Academy (AATA). This unique program, one of the only nationally recognized NDT apprenticeships in the U.S.—combines full-time classroom training with direct industry placement to prepare you for roles inspecting and certifying critical structures without destroying them.
Prepare for a rewarding, high-demand career through Foothill College’s Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship, offered in partnership with Sheet Metal Local 104 and the Bay Area Industry Training Fund. This five-year registered program lets you earn while you learn, combining paid on-the-job training with college-level instruction that builds the technical and problem-solving skills needed in the HVAC and sheet metal service industry.
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Launch your career in HVAC & refrigeration through Foothill College’s five-year registered apprenticeship program, developed in partnership with the Pipe Trades Training Center and UA Local 467. This program combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare you for working on advanced HVAC systems across hospitals, skyscrapers, manufacturing facilities, and research labs.
Childhood Development Fundamentals
Join our exciting new apprenticeship program. Gain an education while working full-time! You'll be signed up for free courses and guaranteed a job in a quality preschool program. Your coursework will be spread over one school year and will include the following courses, for a total of 23 quarter ECE units, this includes the "12 ECE" unit.
Inside Wireman (Formerly General Electrician)
Jump-start your career in the electrical trades through Foothill College’s Inside Wireman Apprenticeship Program. This registered apprenticeship combines paid, on-the-job experience with structured classroom learning, giving you the expertise to install, service, and maintain electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Gain the technical skills and credentials needed to pursue state certification and advance into high-demand roles such as inside wireman, voice/data/video technician, fire and life-safety specialist, or lighting systems technician.
Foothill College’s Plumbing and Pipefitting Apprenticeship Program, developed in partnership with UA Local 62 and UA Local 467 Plumbers & Steamfitters, gives you the opportunity to build a rewarding career in the skilled trades. You’ll earn while you learn—combining paid, on-the-job experience with classroom instruction. Through the program, you’ll gain the expertise to install, assemble, and maintain complex piping, plumbing, and mechanical systems used in both new construction and renovation projects.
Apprentices in the Plumbing Technology program learn to work with water, gas, and waste systems, interpret blueprints, apply plumbing codes, and follow industry safety standards. You’ll earn college credit toward an Associate in Science (AS) degree or Certificate of Achievement (CA) while completing apprenticeship hours recognized by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
Step into a cutting-edge career through Foothill College’s Semiconductor Engineering apprenticeship and Certificate of Achievement in Semiconductor Processing. This program offers you the chance to earn while you learn, working in clean-room environments for leading semiconductor manufacturers while completing college coursework designed to prepare you for high-demand roles in wafer fabrication, advanced packaging and chip manufacturing.
Build a rewarding career in the sheet metal trade through a five-year registered apprenticeship program offered in partnership with Local 104 and the Bay Area Industry Training Fund. You’ll combine paid, on-the-job training with classroom instruction to fabricate, install, and maintain sheet metal systems, from HVAC ductwork to architectural metal features, across residential, commercial and industrial settings. Earn an Associate in Science in Sheet Metal Building Trades, a Certificate of Achievement in Sheet Metal Building Trades, or a Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Specialist Career Certificate.
Build your career in the sound and communication trade through Foothill College’s apprenticeship with the Northern California Sound & Communication JATC. You’ll get paid to train while completing 24 units of college coursework that prepare you to install, test, and maintain low-voltage systems—voice, data, video, fire alarm, access control, networking, and audio-visual.
Test, Adjust & Balancing Technician (TAB) Technician)
The Test, Adjust & Balancing (TAB) Technician Apprenticeship at Foothill College prepares you for a skilled career in HVAC balancing, air system testing, and energy-efficient building performance. Through partnership with Sheet Metal Local 104 and the Bay Area Industry Training Fund, you’ll gain hands-on experience in airflow measurement, duct testing, and building commissioning while earning respected industry credentials.
Contact UsApprenticeship Officeapprenticeships@foothill.eduChris Allen, Dean of Apprenticeship Programs & Strategic Partnerships allenchris@foothill.edu Phuong Tran, Grant Monitor (408) 745-8018 tranphuong@foothill.edu Karen Oeh, Apprenticeship Programs Coordinator (408) 745-8021 oehkaren@fhda.edu |
