Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the process to enter the apprenticeship program?

A. The full process to enter the ABC Alaska apprenticeship program is as follows:

The full process to enter the ABC Alaska apprenticeship program is as follows:

1. Fill out part 1 of the APPLICATION and pay the $50 application fee. Once you have filled out part 1 and paid the fee, you will be emailed a link to part 2. Fill out part 2, attach all required documents, and submit.

2. Once part 2 is completed and submitted, we will review your application. This can take up to 2 weeks. Once your application has been reviewed, we will email you a link to an interview.

3. Clink on the link and schedule your interview. The dates/times shown on the link are the only dates available, and we will not schedule outside of these dates/times.

4. After your interview, it is up to you to find employment with one of our member companies.

5. Once you are hired by one of our member companies, they will send us hiring paperwork for us to review. Reviewing the hiring paperwork can take up to 2 weeks once it has been received.

6. Once the hiring paperwork has been reviewed you will be sent a link to an enrollment meeting (This is where you will sign your enrollment documents and receive instructions regarding work reports, bookwork, and if applicable information about your Certificate of Fitness.)

7. After you schedule and complete your enrollment meeting, you will be able to get your Certificate of Fitness card (if applicable) and you will be officially enrolled in ABC of Alaska!

Q. What are the documents I need to provide?

• Valid Driver's License or State ID
• Social Security Card or Valid eligibility document from the ICE
• Official Driving Record from the state issuing the driver's license (no more than 30 days old)
• High School Graduates:
  • Proof of High School Graduation
  • High School Transcripts
• General Equivalency Diploma Recipients:
  • GED Transcripts
• 2 semesters of algebra 1 (or equivalent) with a "C" or higher (Applicants who do not have a "C" or higher in high school or college algebra must meet the math requirement by alternate means.)
• Resume (Resume should include any and all additional training, certificates, and coursework. Please provide copies of all certificates and cards of completion)
• Veterans must include a copy of their DD214
• Non-refundable application processing fee of $50.00

Q. What are the minimum requirements to apply?

• High School Diploma or GED
• 18 years of age and up (You may be 17 years old with parental consent as long as you are able to provide your transcript and your diploma when it is received.)
• 2 semesters of algebra or equivalent with a "C" or higher

Q. What if I do not meet the math requirement?

• A. To meet the math requirement, you must take and pass one of the classes/courses listed below with an equivalent grade to “C” or better:

• WorkKeys Level 4 Certification for Applied Math
  Locations offering WorkKeys Testing:
  ABC of Alaska
  Alaska Job Centers (locations vary statewide–Alaska Job Center Network )
  Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) - http://avtec.edu/
• Other options
  University of Alaska – ALEKS Math Placement
  Matanuska-Susitna College – ALEKS Math Placement
  Nine Star 907-279-7827- Accuplacer Trades Math

Q. How do I obtain my school transcripts?

A. You can reach out to your school district where you graduated from, and they should be able to provide you with directions on how to obtain the documents. (See below for some Alaska district links. We will add more as we find them.)

• Anchorage School District - Anchorage School District Records Request (scriborder.com)
• Mat-su School District - Transcript Request - Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (matsuk12.us)
• Kenai School District - Student Records – Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (kpbsd.org)
• Fairbanks School District - Transcripts and Records - Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (k12northstar.org)

Q. What if I can't find my diploma?

A. If your transcript shows your graduation date and that a diploma was issued, we will accept that in its place.

Q. What approved apprenticeship programs does ABC of Alaska offer?

AA. We offer: Electrical, Plumbing, Pipe Fitter, Sprinkler Fitter, Sheet Metal, Carpentry, Insulation, HVAC, Welding, and Mechanical Insulation. 

Q. What are the wages that I will be making?

A. Wages for the State of Alaska depend on your on-the-job hours and your level of related training instruction (bookwork). It also varies depending on your employer.

Q. Do I need experience?

A. It is not necessary to have any experience. You will receive both On-the-Job-Training and book work instruction when you start your apprenticeship.

Q. When is the deadline for applications?

A. We accept applications year-round. 

Q. How long will it take to get into the program?

A. After you finish the interview process you will then be ranked in our applicant pool (waitlist). Being on the waitlist is different for all applicants. You can increase your ranking with any further education/ training certifications you receive.

Q. What type of training/certifications do companies look for?

A. OSHA (10 and 30), First Aid, CPR, Fork-lifting, NSTC, HAZWOPER, or any safety related training for construction

Q. Do I have to find my own work?

A. ABC Alaska is not a job placement center; we are a member-based apprenticeship program. After your initial interview, it is up to you to find employment with one of our member companies. We can provide you with a list of member companies in order to make the search easier.

Q. What if I am currently working for a contractor?

A. As long as all of the requirements are met, you will be placed on a waiting list for the next step of the application process. Once accepted, you will be placed with that company as an apprentice, as long as you are on the company’s payroll prior to entering the program. If the contractor is not a member of ABC Alaska, speak to your employer about becoming one. Otherwise, ABC will dispatch you to a member of ABC Alaska.

Q. How much does the program cost?

A. The only expense you will have will be tools for your selected trade and this can often be paid for with a grant through the State of Alaska. It is possible to have a test retake fee; when you take tests there will be a $30 retake for the first three attempts, after that it will increase $10 per retake. Some companies cover this fee for you, but some companies have you pay this yourself.

Q. How long is the program?

A. Most of our programs are 4-year/8000-hour apprenticeships (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Sheetmetal, Carpentry, Sprinkler Fitter, Welding). To reach journey-level you will need to complete all required hours and 5 levels of book work for your chosen trade. We do have a couple of programs that are in the 4000–6000-hour range and the bookwork is shorter as well (Craft Laborer, Painter, Mechanical Insulation).  

If all of your questions are not answered here, please contact our office at (907) 565-5600 or [email protected].