Apprenticeships
Arkansas.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
Active Apprentices by Trade
Arkansas · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 6,489 total
+6 additional trades not shown
BLS OEWS median across 7 metro areas in Arkansas. Apprentices start at ~40–50% and graduate to full journeyman scale.
Verified Programs
Manually confirmed by PlumbSquare — application status current as of research date
We haven't manually confirmed programs in Arkansas yet. See the DOL-registered programs below, or search Apprenticeship.gov.
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in Arkansas with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 30 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
National Apprenticeship Training Foundation, Inc. | Arkadelphia | Bricklayer/MasonElectricianPipefitter/Steamfitter+3 | 1,640 | non-union |
ARKANSAS COLLEGE of ELECTRICITY | Rogers | Electrician | 1,296 | non-union |
NATF | Arkadelphia | LaborerPlumberIronworker+3 | 934 | non-union |
ACEF Foundation | Little Rock | CarpenterPainter/FinisherSheet Metal Worker+5 | 927 | non-union |
APPRENTICELY Business Association | Little Rock | Electrician | 752 | non-union |
Arkansas-Oklahoma Carpenters JATC | RUSSELLVILLE | CarpenterPainter/Finisher | 375 | UNION |
ABC Arkansas Apprenticeship Training Program dba Arkansas Construction Trades Academy Foundation | North Little Rock | Pipefitter/SteamfitterPlumberLaborer+4 | 303 | non-union |
National Park College (NPC) Apprenticeships Community College/University | Hot Springs National Park | PlumberElectrician | 173 | non-union |
NWA Plumbing | Farmington | Plumber | 164 | non-union |
Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Arkansas Union/Labor | Little Rock | Pipefitter/SteamfitterPlumber | 153 | UNION |
Western Arkansas Apprenticeship Program Community College/University | BENTONVILLE | PlumberSheet Metal WorkerElectrician | 149 | non-union |
Conway Area Apprenticeship City/County Agency | Conway | PlumberElectrician | 140 | non-union |
JONESBORO ELECTRICAL JATC Union/Labor | Jonesboro | Electrician | 137 | UNION |
JONESBORO PLBG | JONESBORO | Plumber | 127 | non-union |
Kimbel Mechanical Systems DBA NWA Mechanical School Employer | Fayetteville | ElectricianPlumber | 125 | non-union |
OTCEAP LLC Other | Malvern | Electrician | 91 | non-union |
Fulmer Electrical Training | Conway | Electrician | 85 | non-union |
Entergy Arkansas Employer | Little Rock | Electrician | 85 | UNION |
CENTRAL ARKANSAS PLUMBER ATC | MAYFLOWER | Plumber | 84 | non-union |
Northwest Technical Institute (NWTI) State Agency | SPRINGDALE | Electrician | 81 | non-union |
FT SMITH/VAN BUREN PLUMBER ATC | Fort Smith | Plumber | 58 | non-union |
Elevator Constructors, IUEC Local 79 | North Little Rock | Elevator Constructor | 53 | UNION |
Paragould Local Electrical Apprenticeship | Paragould | Electrician | 52 | non-union |
Evers Electric Electrical Apprenticeship Employer | El Dorado | Electrician | 43 | non-union |
Fort Smith Electrical JATC | FORT SMITH | Electrician | 43 | UNION |
EL DORADO ELECTRICAL JATC | El Dorado | Electrician | 35 | UNION |
LITTLE ROCK ELECTRICAL JATC | LITTLE ROCK | Electrician | 34 | UNION |
Nabholz Construction Company | CONWAY | Carpenter | 34 | non-union |
VSC Fire & Security Employer | Cabot | Pipefitter/Steamfitter | 29 | non-union |
Eagle Electric Employer | Benton | Electrician | 28 | non-union |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in Arkansas may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in Arkansas?
Apply to a JATC or non-union program. Requirements: high school diploma or GED, basic math test, proof of age (18+). Some programs add physical requirements or drug testing. Application windows open and close seasonally — check program status before applying.
Are apprenticeships in Arkansas free?
Yes. Every DOL-registered apprenticeship is free to attend. Apprentices are employees, not students — you earn a wage from day one. No tuition, no student loans.
Union vs. non-union — which should I choose?
Union JATCs (IBEW, UA, SMART, UBC) typically offer higher wages, defined pension plans, and health insurance. Non-union programs (ABC, IEC) may have faster acceptance and work with open-shop contractors. Both paths are DOL-registered. Apply to both — take whoever accepts you first.
How long is a trade apprenticeship?
Most trades are 4–5 years (8,000–10,000 OJT hours). HVAC programs run 3–4 years. Lineman training is typically 3–4 years with specialized fieldwork. Every year your wage increases — you're earning near journeyman scale by your final year.
Arkansas Licensing
Arkansas is a right-to-work state. The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (under the Dept. of Labor and Licensing) licenses general and specialty contractors, including electrical and mechanical. HVACR licensing and testing is administered separately through the Dept. of Labor's HVAC-R division. Plumbing licensing is overseen by the State Committee of Plumbing Examiners.