Apprenticeships
South Dakota.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
Active Apprentices by Trade
South Dakota · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 937 total
+5 additional trades not shown
BLS OEWS median across 3 metro areas in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota yet. See the DOL-registered programs below, or search Apprenticeship.gov.
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in South Dakota with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 26 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IEC DAKOTAS, INC. Business Association | Sioux Falls | PlumberElectrician | 191 | non-union |
MUTH ELECTRIC, INC. | MITCHELL | Electrician | 178 | non-union |
BRINK CONSTRUCTORS, INC Employer | RAPID CITY | ElectricianOperating EngineerLaborer | 122 | non-union |
SOUTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION PHCC Business Association | SIOUX FALLS | HVAC TechnicianPlumberPipefitter/Steamfitter+1 | 79 | non-union |
SHEET METAL WORKERS LU #10 | WHITE BEAR LAKE | Sheet Metal Worker | 72 | UNION |
GenPro Energy Solutions, LLC | Piedmont | Operating EngineerElectrician | 48 | non-union |
SD Rural Electric Association | PIERRE | Other Construction | 48 | non-union |
AGC - ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS, INC Business Association | SIOUX FALLS | Bricklayer/MasonIronworkerOperating Engineer+1 | 45 | non-union |
MIDWESTERN MECHANICAL, INC. | SIOUX FALLS | Pipefitter/SteamfitterPlumber | 34 | non-union |
Howe, Inc. | Sioux Falls | PlumberPipefitter/SteamfitterSheet Metal Worker | 34 | non-union |
RAPID FIRE PROTECTION,INC. | RAPID CITY | Pipefitter/Steamfitter | 31 | non-union |
NCSRCC, LOCAL 587 | Sioux Falls | Carpenter | 30 | UNION |
Lake Area Technical College Community College/University | Watertown | CarpenterElectrician | 24 | non-union |
Scull Construction Service Inc. | Rapid City | Laborer | 23 | non-union |
HANDER PLUMBING & HEATING, INC. | SIOUX FALLS | PlumberPipefitter/Steamfitter | 18 | non-union |
AETech, Electrical Training Center | Rapid City | Electrician | 16 | non-union |
South Dakota Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Joint Journeyman and Apprentice Training Trust Fund | SIOUX FALLS | Bricklayer/Mason | 13 | UNION |
SERVICE FIRST FIRE SPRINKLER Employer | SIOUX FALLS | Pipefitter/Steamfitter | 13 | non-union |
FREEMANS ELECTRIC | RAPID CITY | Electrician | 12 | non-union |
Midwestern Mechanical, Inc. Employer | Sioux Falls | HVAC Technician | 12 | non-union |
Monument Health | Rapid City | Other Construction | 11 | non-union |
XTREME FIRE PROTECTION, LLC | SIOUX FALLS | Pipefitter/Steamfitter | 11 | non-union |
Timberline Construction, Inc | RAPID CITY | Electrician | 10 | non-union |
TOTAL FIRE PROTECTION | BRANDON | Pipefitter/Steamfitter | 10 | non-union |
Sioux Falls Electric | Sioux Falls | Electrician | 10 | non-union |
Black Hills Power, Inc. | Rapid City | Electrician | 10 | UNION |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in South Dakota may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in South Dakota?
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 South Dakota 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.
South Dakota Licensing
South Dakota is a right-to-work state. Electricians and plumbers are licensed at the state level through the South Dakota Electrical Commission and Plumbing Commission, both under the Dept. of Labor and Regulation. There is no state HVAC license; HVAC contractors are regulated at the city/municipal level.