Apprenticeship to AAS Degree
Apprenticeship to AAS Degree Information
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The Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College is partnering with Weber State University to offer apprenticeship students the opportunity to complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in apprenticeship. The first step towards the degree is to begin an apprenticeship. Apprentices may begin their classes at Weber State University any time during their apprenticeship.
A profession requiring an apprenticeship has many advantages. Apprentices are in demand and well compensated. The skills acquired by completing an apprenticeship program are portable and transferable. The skills are based on state and national standards. Electricians that earn an associate degree can test for their master electrician in two years instead of waiting four years.
General Apprenticeship Information
Apprenticeship is a relationship between an employer and an employee in which the worker, or apprentice, learns a technical trade. An apprenticeship covers all aspects of the trade and includes both work-based learning and related instruction.
- The work-based learning portion is acquired with the employer under the tutelage of a journey-level craftsperson.
- The related instruction portion is received at the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College.
- The general education courses and other required courses for the Associate of Applied Science degree in apprenticeship are provided by Weber State University.
- Apprentices must be at least 16 years of age to begin an apprenticeship program. Students younger than 18 year of age must be registered with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship.
- All apprentices are strongly encouraged to register with their sponsoring employer and the Office of Apprenticeship which specifies the standards and defines the occupation, goals, level of performance, length of training, and the wage scale. When the apprenticeship is complete, the apprentice will be eligible for a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship from the U.S. Department of Labor.
- All electrical and plumbing apprentices must be licensed with the Utah State Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
- Apprenticeship programs at the college are three to five years in length depending on the program.
| OWATC Apprenticeship | Years to Complete |
| Carpenter | 4 |
| Electrician | 4 |
| Electrician (Union) | 5 |
| HVAC/R Service Tech | 4 |
| Machinist | 4 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | 4 |
| Plumber | 4 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | 4 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (Union) | 5 |
| Voice Data Video Technician (Union) | 3 |
Math Assessment
To increase the opportunity for success in OWATC apprenticeship programs, apprentices must meet the math competency. Math is required for all apprentices in Utah. The math competency may be met in one of the following ways:
- Pass the apprenticeship math competency examination or complete the Apprenticeship Math course before or during the first apprenticeship semester.
- Provide a transcript showing completion of Math 0960, Beginning Algebra, with a C grade or better within the past two years.
- Provide documentation of an ACT math score of 19 or above within the past two years.
Apprentice Work-Based Learning Experience Process
- Individual obtains a sponsor for their apprenticeship.
- Apprentice enrolls in the college apprentice-related instruction course and corresponding work-based learning course.
- The college apprentice advisor provides a copy of the work-based experience plan/agreement to the apprentice during the course orientation.
- Upon completion of each apprentice related-instruction course, the apprentice obtains signatures from his/her employer documenting completion of the work-based learning activities that correspond with the apprentice-related instruction coursework.
- The apprentice makes copies for his/her employer and the college apprenticeship advisor.
- The college apprentice advisor enters a grade for the appropriate apprentice work-based learning course and apprentice related-instruction course. The apprentice advisor forwards the forms to the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College Apprenticeship Office for processing.
Certificate of Proficiency from the Ogden-Weber Tech College
Students will be eligible for a Certificate of Proficiency from the OWATC when they successfully complete all of the required apprenticeship courses. Graduation ceremonies are held each year in the winter and spring. To be eligible to participate in graduation, apprenticeship students must meet with the college registrar to confirm all requirements are complete.
Recognition and Certification
Apprentices that fulfill the work-based learning and related instruction portions of their education may go on to receive state, national, and trade organization certification.
The skills acquired by completing an apprenticeship program are portable and transferable. They are based on state and national skill standards. These agencies define and certify the apprenticeship training:
- United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship
- Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
- Local employer advisory teams
- The Utah State Office of Education
Associate of Applied Science in Apprenticeship Degree
A student must have at least 20 credits in residence at Weber State University (WSU) only 3 may be transfer credits. For more information on entrance requirements to WSU, visit www.weber.edu/admissions. You will also need to provide one of the following to WSU:
- Certificate of Proficiency from the post-secondary institution offering the Office of Apprenticeship certified program.
- State of Utah Journeyperson Licens
- Certificate of Completion from the Office of Apprenticeship (also known as BAT)
Students can begin enrolling at WSU and list AAS in Apprenticeship as their program of study. Students may contact the following individuals at WSU for more information:
Chris Soelberg
csoelberg@weber.edu
801-626-8051
Pat DeJong
patriciadejong@weber.edu
801-626-7761
| COURSE NUMBER | TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
WSU GENERAL EDUCATION | ||
| AUTOSV 1300* | Technical Mathmatics | 3 |
| BTNY 1403** | Environment Appreciation | 3 |
| COMM 2110 | Interpersonal & Small Group Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 1010 | Introductory College Writing | 3 |
| SOCIAL SCIENCES | Elective | 3 |
| TBE 1700 | Introduction to Microcomputer Applications | 3 |
| Sub-Total | 18 | |
WSU OTHER COURSES | ||
| SST 3563 | Principles of Supervision | 3 |
| SST 4102 | Developing Team Leadership Skills | 2 |
| Sub-total | 5 | |
APPRENTICESHIP COURSES FROM THE OWATC | ||
| APPRENTICESHIP | Coursework at the OWATC | 24 |
| WORK-BASED LEARNING | On-the-job Training | 16 |
| Sub-total | 40 | |
| Total Number of Credits | 63 | |
* Recommended - Math 1010 or above is acceptable
** Recommended - Any general education science course acceptable
