Apprenticeships
West Virginia.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
Active Apprentices by Trade
West Virginia · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 2,303 total
+7 additional trades not shown
BLS OEWS median across 9 metro areas in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia yet. See the DOL-registered programs below, or search Apprenticeship.gov.
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in West Virginia with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 30 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS, JATC | PARKERSBURG | Carpenter | 355 | UNION |
Clearway | Elk Garden | Other Construction | 144 | non-union |
Finishing Trades Institute of West Virginia Region (FTI of WV Region) Union/Labor | WESTON | Painter/FinisherGlazier | 110 | UNION |
West Virginia Appalachian Laborers JATC | MINERALWELLS | Laborer | 97 | non-union |
CHARLESTON ELECTRICAL, JATC | Charleston | Electrician | 83 | UNION |
HUNTINGTON ELECTRICAL JATC Union/Labor | HUNTINGTON | Electrician | 78 | UNION |
CHARLESTON JOINT APPRENTICESHIP Union/Labor | Charleston | PlumberPipefitter/Steamfitter | 70 | UNION |
Utility Lines Construction Services | Ranger | Electrician | 69 | non-union |
West Virginia Sheet Metal Workers | PARKERSBURG | Sheet Metal Worker | 69 | UNION |
WHEELING PLUMBERS J | Wheeling | Pipefitter/SteamfitterPlumber | 67 | UNION |
WV OPERATING ENGINEERS JATC Union/Labor | RAVENSWOOD | Operating Engineer | 66 | UNION |
Heat & Frost Insulators LOCAL 80 JATC Union/Labor | Winfield | Other Construction | 65 | UNION |
WV SDT - ADULT CORRECTIONS State Agency | Charleston | Carpenter | 65 | non-union |
Clarksburg IBEW JATC | CLARKSBURG | Electrician | 64 | UNION |
Central JAC & Roofers LU #242 | Mineral Wells | Roofer | 61 | UNION |
MORGANTOWN PLUMBERS JATC | MORGANTOWN | PlumberPipefitter/Steamfitter | 49 | UNION |
PARKERSBURG IBEW JATC | PARKERSBURG | Electrician | 47 | UNION |
PARKERSBURG PLUMBERS JATC Union/Labor | PARKERSBURG | Pipefitter/SteamfitterPlumber | 45 | UNION |
Wheeling Iron Workers Local 549 JATC | Wheeling | Ironworker | 39 | UNION |
WHEELING ELECT.JATC | Wheeling | Electrician | 34 | UNION |
PARKERSBURG IRON WORKERS JATC | Parkersburg | Ironworker | 30 | UNION |
IUEC LOCAL #48 JOINT APPRENTICESHIP COMMITTEE Union/Labor | CHARLESTON | Elevator Constructor | 25 | UNION |
Westlake Chemical Union/Labor | Proctor | Electrician | 24 | UNION |
APPLIED CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS | MEADOWBROOK | Laborer | 23 | non-union |
WHEELING AREA ROOFERS | Wheeling | Roofer | 22 | UNION |
SMART 33 Wheeling District JATC | Wheeling | Sheet Metal Worker | 21 | UNION |
Elgin Power Solutions | Beaver | Electrician | 19 | non-union |
March-Westin Company, Inc. Employer | Morgantown | LaborerIronworkerBricklayer/Mason | 17 | non-union |
West Virginia Area Plasterers & Cement Masons JATC | Parkersburg | Bricklayer/MasonPainter/Finisher | 16 | UNION |
Charleston Roofers JATC Union/Labor | Charleston | Roofer | 16 | UNION |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in West Virginia may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in West Virginia?
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 West Virginia 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.
West Virginia Licensing
West Virginia is a right-to-work state. The Division of Labor's Contractor Licensing Board handles general contractor and HVAC licensing. Electrical contractors are regulated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Division of Labor also oversees certified plumber and HVAC technician registrations.