Apprenticeships
Delaware.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
Active Apprentices by Trade
Delaware · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 1,310 total
+7 additional trades not shown
BLS OEWS median across 1 metro area in Delaware. 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 Delaware yet. See the DOL-registered programs below, or search Apprenticeship.gov.
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in Delaware with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 30 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electricians IBEW 313 Union/Labor | New Castle | Electrician | 106 | UNION |
M Davis & Sons, Inc. Employer | Kennett Square | ElectricianPlumberHVAC Technician+3 | 103 | non-union |
Plumbers & Pipefitters LU #74 Union/Labor | Newark | Pipefitter/SteamfitterPlumberHVAC Technician | 103 | UNION |
Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers (PHL Carpenter JAC) Union/Labor | Historic New Castle | Carpenter | 78 | UNION |
Nickle Electrical Employer | Newark | Electrician | 48 | non-union |
Iron Workers LU 451 Union/Labor | Wilmington | Ironworker | 47 | non-union |
Delaware Elevator Employer | Salisbury | Elevator Constructor | 45 | non-union |
Operating Engineers LU 542 Union/Labor | Fort Washington | Operating Engineer | 43 | UNION |
JF Sobieski Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Employer | Newark | HVAC TechnicianPipefitter/SteamfitterPlumber+1 | 40 | non-union |
Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) | Wilmington | ElectricianSheet Metal Worker | 35 | UNION |
Laborer's Union Local 199 Union/Labor | Newark | Laborer | 35 | UNION |
Badger Electric, Inc. Employer | NEwport | Electrician | 31 | non-union |
Sheet Metal Workers JAC Local 19 Union/Labor | Philadelphia | Sheet Metal Worker | 26 | UNION |
State of Delaware Dept Of Corrections - Facilities Employer | Dover | ElectricianPlumberHVAC Technician | 21 | non-union |
Insulators JATC LU 42 Union/Labor | New Castle | Other Construction | 21 | UNION |
Eastern Highway Specialists, Inc Employer | Wilmington | CarpenterIronworkerOperating Engineer+2 | 18 | non-union |
Delaware Rural Water Association Employer | Milford | Other Construction | 17 | non-union |
Service Today Employer | Seaford | HVAC TechnicianPlumber | 16 | non-union |
Berry Refrigeration Co Employer | Newark | HVAC Technician | 16 | non-union |
Bear Industries, Inc. Employer | Newark | Pipefitter/Steamfitter | 16 | non-union |
Filec Services LLC Employer | Smyrna | Electrician | 15 | non-union |
Pace Services LLC | Bear | Electrician | 13 | non-union |
CAT MWT LLC Employer | Hockessin | Sheet Metal Worker | 13 | non-union |
Bricklayers LU 1 JAC Employer | Wilmington | Bricklayer/Mason | 13 | non-union |
Independent Electrical Service Employer | Wilmington | Electrician | 13 | non-union |
Ralph G Degli Obizzi & Sons Inc Employer | Wilmington | Plumber | 12 | non-union |
Quantum Controls, Inc. Employer | Magnolia | Electrician | 12 | non-union |
Team Consultants, LLC Employer | Landisville | Electrician | 12 | non-union |
Diamond Materials, LLC Employer | Newport | LaborerOperating Engineer | 10 | non-union |
Megee Plumbing & Heating Co Inc Employer | Georgetown | ElectricianHVAC TechnicianPlumber | 10 | non-union |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in Delaware may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in Delaware?
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 Delaware 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.
Delaware Licensing
Delaware is an SAA state and is not right-to-work. The Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) licenses plumbers and HVACR contractors through the Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners. Electricians are licensed separately through DPR. All applications are processed through DELPROS, the state's online licensing portal.