Program Structure
Dakotas Electrical Apprenticeship trains inside electricians through a four-year program in which apprentices learn the trade while working for participating contractors and attend required classes. It covers inside electrical work only; lineman careers go through a separate outside-line program. The sponsor works with more than 75 participating contractors across North and South Dakota and places selected apprentices itself, so you do not need to find your own job. You must be employed by a participating contractor to attend classes.
The service area is North Dakota; South Dakota except the southern halves of Yankton, Clay and Union counties; and listed western Minnesota counties. Training locations include Fargo (2901 1st Ave N), Grand Forks, Bismarck, Minot, Williston, Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Most apprentices travel 100–200 miles, daily or weekly, and some contractors require a personal vehicle. The sponsor's 2026 Statement of Policy requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and at least 720 hours of related instruction. It gives the current term as five years, while the applicants page describes a four-year program, so confirm the term. Apprentices far from scheduled classes may have to travel or take classes virtually.
Requirements
Applicants may apply at 17 and must be 18 at registration. You need a valid government-issued ID, the right to work in the United States with a valid Social Security number, and a high school diploma, equivalency certificate or GED, or an associate degree or higher. For algebra, complete one high school credit or one post-high-school semester with a passing grade, or the electrical training ALLIANCE online Tech Math course. Applicants must be able to travel to job sites, attend all classes, climb and work at heights, lift 25–50 pounds regularly and understand instructions in English.
Most applicants take an aptitude test. Three years of honorable active-duty service, 2,000 verified hours in electrical construction, or completion of listed pre-apprenticeship and training programs can qualify an applicant for direct interview or direct entry.
Application Process
Applications are accepted year-round, with no deadlines. Create an applicant account on the official applicants page, then submit your information within 30 days of receiving the application. Complete applicants become eligible for an online interview. Selections happen throughout the year based on contractor demand; some applicants are placed quickly, and others wait on the eligibility list for up to a year. Call 701-297-5934 or email [email protected] with questions.
What You Earn
Apprentice pay is a percentage of the journeyperson rate, set by collective bargaining, with raises every six months. The sponsor's About page (undated) gives current journeyperson wages of $28.25 to $35.92 an hour, depending on jurisdiction. Pension, vacation and holiday pay start after the first two steps. Classes are free, but there is a yearly access fee, apprentices pay for their training materials when they receive them, and they buy workwear, basic hand tools and a laptop. The sponsor describes the program as USDOL-registered, and its policy says each apprentice's indenture is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor.