Apprenticeships
Iowa.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
Active Apprentices by Trade
Iowa · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 5,137 total
+8 additional trades not shown
BLS OEWS median across 9 metro areas in Iowa. 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 Iowa yet. See the DOL-registered programs below, or search Apprenticeship.gov.
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in Iowa with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 30 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Missouri Valley Line Constructors JATC Union/Labor | Indianola | Electrician | 994 | UNION |
Hawkeye Community College (Construction & Logistics) Community College/University | Cedar Falls | PlumberCarpenterElectrician | 466 | non-union |
Iowa Pipe Trades and HVAC Training Institute Union/Labor | DES MOINES | PlumberHVAC TechnicianPipefitter/Steamfitter | 447 | UNION |
Des Moines Electrical Apprenticeship Union/Labor | Urbandale | Electrician | 434 | UNION |
Plumbers & Pipe Fitters JATC Local Union 125 Union/Labor | Cedar Rapids | HVAC TechnicianPlumberPipefitter/Steamfitter | 330 | UNION |
Iowa Department of Corrections State Agency | DES MOINES | ElectricianPainter/FinisherCarpenter+3 | 298 | non-union |
Interstates Inc. Employer | SIOUX CENTER | Electrician | 273 | non-union |
Cedar Rapids Electrical JATC Local Union 405 Union/Labor | Cedar Rapids | Electrician | 232 | UNION |
Central/Western Iowa Carpenters JATC Local Union 106 Union/Labor | Altoona | Carpenter | 168 | UNION |
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Business Association | Ankeny | Electrician | 167 | non-union |
Five Rivers Carpenters JATC Local Unions 308 678 &1260 Union/Labor | Cedar Rapids | Carpenter | 131 | UNION |
MidAmerican Energy Company - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 499 and Local 109 Union/Labor | Adel | Electrician | 128 | UNION |
Cedar Rapids Sheet Metal JATC Local Union 263 Union/Labor | Cedar Rapids | Sheet Metal Worker | 120 | UNION |
OPERATING ENGINEERS LU 234 Union/Labor | INDIANOLA | Operating Engineer | 112 | UNION |
J-Berd Mechanical Employer | West Des Moines | PlumberHVAC Technician | 110 | non-union |
EPI POWER, LLC (ABC) | Des Moines | Electrician | 108 | non-union |
Iowa Laborers E/T Fund Union/Labor | Indianola | Laborer | 105 | UNION |
Central Iowa Sheet Metal Workers JATC LU 45 Union/Labor | DES MOINES | Sheet Metal Worker | 92 | UNION |
Alliant Energy Employer | Cedar Rapids | Electrician | 89 | UNION |
Millwright JATC Local Union 1463 Union/Labor | Altoona | Other Construction | 87 | UNION |
Electrician JATC, Sioux City LU 231 Union/Labor | Sergeant Bluff | Electrician | 84 | UNION |
CW Suter Employer | SIOUX CITY | PlumberHVAC Technician | 81 | non-union |
Western Iowa Tech Community College Community College/University | SIOUX CITY | ElectricianPlumber | 80 | non-union |
SOUTHEAST IOWA ELECTRICAL JATC LU 13 Union/Labor | BURLINGTON | Electrician | 73 | UNION |
CAREER ACADEMY OF PELLA (IHC2) Other | PELLA | Carpenter | 72 | non-union |
VAN MAANEN ELECTRIC, INC. (ABC) Employer | NEWTON | Electrician | 56 | non-union |
ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND/ADM Employer | CLINTON | Electrician | 56 | non-union |
Ironworkers JATC LU 67 Union/Labor | DES MOINES | Ironworker | 54 | UNION |
NE Iowa Ironworkers JATC Local Union 89 Union/Labor | Cedar Rapids | Ironworker | 48 | UNION |
International Elevator Constructors JATC LU 33 Union/Labor | DES MOINES | Elevator Constructor | 47 | UNION |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in Iowa may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in Iowa?
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 Iowa 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.
Iowa Licensing
Iowa is a right-to-work state. The Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) administers the Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board, which licenses plumbers, HVAC contractors, hydronic technicians, and refrigeration specialists. Electrical licensing is handled by a separate Electrical Board also under DIAL.