Bergen County Technical Schools

 

Apprenticeship combines paid, on-the-job training (OJT) with classroom instruction known as Related Technical Instruction (RTI).

Bergen County Technical Schools (BCTS) is an accredited RTI provider through the U.S. Department of Labor. Our programs—

including Electrician, HVACR, and Plumbing—support registered apprentices working full- or part-time in their trade.

 

You must be employed full- or part-time in a related trade. Your employer—or a licensed journey worker with a USDOL certificate—

must be willing to sponsor you and register with the USDOL. You’ll also need to complete 8,000 OJT hours and 576 classroom hours

over four years. The Apprenticeship Coordinator will guide you through the registration process and help create a personalized plan.

 

To earn your U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Completion Certificate, you must:

• Accumulate 8,000 OJT hours (typically 2,000/year)

• Complete 576 RTI hours (typically 144/year)

• Meet with Apprenticeship Coordinator each semester

• Keep all course completion certificates

OJT hours and RTI progress are tracked through the RAPIDS system by your sponsor.

Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you may apply for a Trade License through the New Jersey Division of Consumer

Affairs. Licensing applications and testing information can be found at:

• Electrician: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/elec | Phone: 973-504-6410

• Plumber: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/plu | Phone: 973-504-6420

• HVACR: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/hvacr | Phone: 973-504-62500