About Our Apprenticeship Program
The apprenticeship program is designed to provide an apprentice with on-the-job training and classroom instruction over a period of time (an estimated four years) that trains the apprentice to be a Journey Worker in their designated trade. We are looking for highly motivated applicants seeking the opportunity to learn a skilled trade through on-the-job training and classroom instruction. We regularly recruit for new candidates for our program in the spring and encourage interested applicants to continue to visit this site for updates on our program.
Facilities Management occasionally has opportunities to hire Trades Helpers into our shops. Trades Helper positions provide employees with an opportunity to learn about the trades through on the job training. Trades Helpers can be an opportunity for candidates interested in the apprenticeship program to learn more about the trade that they are interested in and gain the experience necessary to successfully apply for the apprenticeship program. All of our positions are posted at https://talent.arizona.edu/ and can be found by selecting “Trades and Maintenance” in the drop-down menu of the Job Category box on the search jobs function.
Minimum Qualifications
Facilities Management is looking for hard-working, career-oriented employees interested in a career in the trades.
- Employees must be at least 18 years old with one year of experience working in construction, maintenance or other trades setting
OR
- Have Any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education approved by Human Resources.
Successful applicants will need to pass a background screening, have or obtain a valid Arizona Driver's license during the first two years of employment, and be able to successfully complete an aptitude test that covers reading, writing, math, and mechanical or electrical skills. Candidates will also be required to provide a letter of recommendation from former employers and/or instructors.
Tuition Costs
Apprentice candidates will pay approximately $339 per semester for tuition and approximately $200 per semester for books. Coursework will be offered through Pima Community College/Arizona Builders Alliance. Upon the completion of the coursework, the apprentice will be reimbursed up to 75% of out of pocket paid tuition for a passing grade of "C" or above (proof of payment must be provided).
The apprenticeship program is designed to provide an apprentice with on-the-job training and classroom instruction over a period of time that trains the apprentice to be a Journey Worker in their designated trade.
The FM Apprentice Program is focused on Carpenters, Plumbers, HVAC Technicians, and Stationary Engineers, and starts January 2026.
The Registered Apprenticeship system of training is unique in that it is the only formal, structured, and nationally recognized education and training program available that combines the two most common forms of career and occupational learning: classroom instruction with on-the-job training.
Apprentices not only learn occupational skills in the classroom, their learning is expanded to include hands-on, paid, on-the-job training! Students learn and practice all phases of the trade/occupation in real-world applications. The program must be registered with the Arizona Apprenticeship Office.
The time in the program is dependent upon the hours that the employee works in an on-the-job training capacity. It is estimated apprenticeship programs will take at least four years to complete.
The goal of the University of Arizona Facilities Management Apprenticeship Program is to create a pool of candidates for future Journey Worker positions within our department. The purpose of this program is to enable the University to fill upcoming vacancies due to an increasing volume of retirements. As the program nears completion, apprentices' will be evaluated for placement into positions within the department. The apprentice classification is an Extended Temporary Employment classification. There is no guarantee of continued employment with the University, but apprentices will be encouraged to apply to open positions.
Yes, apprentices will have a six-month probationary period.
Yes, apprentices are paid for on-the-job training while in the apprenticeship program.
The workday and workweek for apprentices shall be the same as that for Journey Workers, and shall be subject to the same conditions. Each apprentice shall receive progressively increasing wages in accordance with the following schedule:
4 year Apprenticeship Program
Plumber, HVAC, and Carpenters:
| Job Title | Year | Training Hours* | Hourly Pay Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trades Apprentice 1 | Year 1 | 0 - 2,000 | $17.50 |
| Trades Apprentice 2 | Year 2 | 2,001 - 4,000 | $19.25 |
| Trades Apprentice 3 | Year 3 | 4,001 - 6,000 | $21.00 |
| Trades Apprentice 4 | Year 4 | 6,001 - 8,000 | $22.75 |
Stationary Engineers:
| Job Title | Year | Training Hours* | Hourly Pay Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trades Apprentice 1 | Year 1 | 0 - 2,000 | $19.25 |
| Trades Apprentice 2 | Year 2 | 2,001 - 4,000 | $21.18 |
| Trades Apprentice 3 | Year 3 | 4,001 - 6,000 | $23.10 |
| Trades Apprentice 4 | Year 4 | 6,001 - 8,000 | $25.03 |
Yes, Extended Temporary Employees are eligible for the University of Arizona Benefits.
Yes, each apprentice will be assigned to a department and will work in rotation with several Journey Workers to complete all on-the-job training.
Yes, each apprentice will work a set schedule, Monday through Friday. They will attend class two nights per week on their own time.
No, classroom time is uncompensated time.
Apprentices must satisfactorily complete all coursework with a passing "C" grade or above.
Yes, apprentices must attend Related Technical Instruction which is combined with on-the-job training experience. Our programs require approximately 144 hours of Related Technical Instruction per year.
Yes, the courses are routed through Pima Community College and the apprentice will get credit for the classes taken and successfully passed. Apprentices will not earn a degree upon the completion of the program, but they will be able to continue at Pima Community College to earn their Associates.
Yes, the minimum requirement is that the candidate have at least one year of JTED or on the job training in related field, but it does not necessarily have to be in the specific trade identified. The selection committee will be looking for people who are interested in a career in the field in which they are applying.
Yes, selected applicant will be invited to take a test on reading, writing, math and mechanical or electrical skills.