Apprenticeship Academics

Apprenticeship Academics: It's Not All Hands On

Getting into a skilled trade is about more than just working with your hands.

  • Apprenticeships combine hands-on work with classroom learning.

  • Bookwork, quizzes, and tests are a big part of training.

  • Understanding the “why” behind tasks is just as important as knowing how to do them.

  • Failing the academic portion can mean failing the apprenticeship.

  • Learning technical concepts helps apprentices become skilled professionals.

When most people think of skilled trades like linemen, electricians, or plumbers, they picture tough, hardworking individuals putting in long hours on the job. While that’s true, there’s another side that many don’t consider—apprenticeship academics. This part of training is just as crucial as the hands-on work in the field.

Learning in the Classroom

Every apprenticeship program includes an academic component. Depending on the trade, apprentices might attend class once a week, one week per month, or on another set schedule. Apprenticeship academics involve studying textbooks, taking quizzes, and completing assignments to reinforce what is learned in the field.

For example, in a lineman apprenticeship, apprentices don’t just climb poles and string wires. They also learn about electrical theory, transformer calculations, and circuit protection. Understanding these topics helps them work more safely and efficiently.

A Look at a Lineman’s Textbook

A third-year lineman apprentice studies topics like:

  • Grounding and bonding

  • Electrical theory and calculations

  • Transformer operation

  • Circuit protection and switchgear

  • Safety procedures for working with high-voltage systems

These lessons teach apprentices why they follow certain procedures, not just how to do them. For example, linemen follow the “Identify, Isolate, Test, and Ground” rule before working on power lines. But why is each step necessary? That’s where the academic side comes in.

The Importance of Bookwork

Many people enter the trades because they prefer hands-on work over sitting in a classroom. However, apprenticeship academics can’t be ignored. If an apprentice struggles with reading, math, or test-taking, they may find this part challenging. But passing written tests is required to move up in an apprenticeship.

A hard worker on the job can still fail an apprenticeship if they don’t complete their bookwork. Studying, asking questions, and practicing problem-solving are essential skills that help apprentices succeed.

How Technical Knowledge Helps in the Field

Knowing how to perform a task is one thing, but knowing why it’s done a certain way makes a better tradesperson. Apprentices who take their classroom learning seriously can:

  • Work more safely and efficiently

  • Troubleshoot problems faster

  • Understand how different systems work together

  • Advance more quickly in their careers

Below is a simple graph showing the balance of hands-on work versus academic learning in a typical apprenticeship:

apprenticeship hours
On average, in an apprenticeship you need 160 hrs of in class learning a year and 1,000 hrs every 6 months. We can see here in this graph over the course of a 4 year apprenticeship, there is more hand on learning/working VS in class learning. However, even though there is less, it's just as important!

Final Thoughts

Many people assume apprenticeships are all about physical labor, but apprenticeship academics play a huge role in training. From electrical theory to safety regulations, classroom learning is essential. If you’re thinking about a skilled trade, be ready to study just as hard as you work. Success in an apprenticeship isn’t just about strong hands—it’s also about a strong mind.

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