The 2026 Application Window is now closed.
Applications will next be accepted in January 2027.
Applicants must fill out an application in-person here at the training center.
6200 Lakeland Ave. N. Brooklyn Park, MN. 55428
All applications and required attachments to the application must be completed/received no later than 3:00 p.m.. If attachments are not received, the application will be considered incomplete, and the applicant will have to reapply the following year.
Before applying, please review the qualifications for the division to which you are applying. Qualifications can be found in the FAQ section.
Application Timeline
- DURING OPEN APPLICATION WINDOW: Complete a computer-based application at the Training Center. No outside applications will be accepted.
- Provide a photocopy of your High School Diploma. The diploma must be issued by a U.S. state; we will also accept a state-issued GED. The GED must have been obtained through an approved GED Testing Center recognized by the GED Testing Service. Transcripts for both the high school diploma and GED are acceptable. If the high school diploma or college transcripts are issued outside of the United States, they must be translated into English by an accredited, independent credential evaluation service. Copies of diplomas, course completion certificates, or transcripts of course credits for GED, High School, or Technical College must be attached to the application. Only translated, validated copies of diplomas, certificates or transcripts will be accepted. Proper documentation must be attached for applicant’s educational background to be considered.
- If applying for an HVAC/R Service apprenticeship, you must have completed, or be in the final semester of, a 2-year HVAC technical program. Please include a certificate of completion and grade transcript from your two-year Technical College program. If you are in your final semester, please bring a current grade transcript. Also note that HVAC/R employers typically require a clean driving record for insurance purposes.
- January 24 – February 4: Complete Math and Journey Assessments at the Training Center. Applicants will sign up for an exam time at the time of application. Morning, afternoon, and evening exams will be offered.
- Each assessment takes about 30 minutes. This totals about 60 minutes, if exams are taken back-to-back.
- For more information about the math and journey assessments, please see this document.
- March 9 – 13: Interview
- Qualified Applicants (applicants who meet basic qualifications AND receive a passing score on the Math and Journey Assessments) will be invited to an oral interview during the week of March 9th.
- Due to applicant volume, assigned interview times are final.
- March 27: Ranking Letters Distributed
- Applicants who reached the interview stage will be sent a letter informing them of their placement on the ranking list.
- Late Spring and Early Summer: Job Placement
- Applicants are contacted and placed with contractors. Applicants are placed in order of ranking, starting with #1 and proceeding in ascending order.
- Number of apprentices placed is dependent on job availability and labor market.
- In the 2025 application cycle, 34 Service Apprentices and 30 Construction Apprentices were placed.
Frequently Asked Apprenticeship Questions
A. A journeyman is a person who has completed an apprenticeship program and has met the required minimum qualifications and standards that pertain to their trade.
Q. Can I get an application for the apprenticeship program at any time?
No, we open application for two weeks out of each year and you can only fill out an application during that time period. See the apprentice applications for the specific dates.
Q. Can you mail an application to me?
No, you must download the application during the two-week application period.
Q. What if I can't find my High School Diploma?
You can usually obtain a copy of your high school transcripts from the school district office that you graduated from.
Q. When are the related training classes?
The classes are held during the day starting in September and running through May each year. All apprentices attend class one day each week, from 7:00 am - 3:30 pm. While apprentices are not paid for their time in class, the payrates were increased in 2020 to offset the missed day of work.
Q: I would like to apply for the HVAC program, but have not yet completed my HVAC Technical College Program. Can I still apply?
You may apply if you are in the final semester of your program, and are on-track to finish by June of the application year. Please provide a current transcript in place of a completion certificate.
Q. What are the current wages?
Click here to see the St. Cloud Apprentice Wage Schedule.
Click here to see the Minneapolis Apprentice Wage Schedule.
Q. What are the qualifications:
For HVAC/R Service applicants
For Construction Pipefitters
Q: Will I be allowed to use a calculator on the math assessment test?
No. The test is designed to be completable without a calculator.
Q: Are there any preparatory materials for the assessments?
There are several optional preparatory materials:
- Pipe Trades Prep: previous applicants have found success preparing for the math and journey assessments using the courses offered by Pipe Trades Prep.
Go to PipeTradesPrep.com - Khan Academy: While not developed specifically for the pipe trades, this is a free resource for building general math skills.
Go to KhanAcademy.org