Apprenticeships for Students

This is a two-year apprenticeship program with participating tree care companies. Apprentices hired by one of these participating tree care companies complete two years of learning (October – April) at Front Range Community College through online and in-person learning while being paid through the tree care company to complete 2000 hours per year of on-the-job learning.

Apprentices are trained in a variety of skills needed to become an arborist, including:

• Tree trimming
• Disease diagnosis and treatment
• Tree climbing
• Basic tree and shrub biology

At the end of the program, apprentices receive a portable, nationally-recognized credential, which signifies to employers that you are fully qualified for the job.

Apprentices in the Automotive Technology program complete 56 credits in Automotive coursework, earning a total of 11 certificates in areas such as Brakes, Suspension and Steering, Engine, and more.  The information they learn in classes helps them apply knowledge at work in the shop, and what they learn at work in the shop helps reinforce what they learn in classes. 

Apprentices can also then take 5 additional general education courses, if they choose, to finish the Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology.

Apprentices typically start Automotive classes in January at the Westminster Campus, with classes offered from 5:30-9:30pm.  Total, apprentices complete 5 semesters of Automotive coursework, unless they choose to spread out the coursework in a longer pathway.

What is Behavioral Health?

According to the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, “The term ‘behavioral health’ refers to an individual’s mental and emotional well-being, development and actions that affect their overall wellness. Behavioral health problems and disorders include mental and substance use disorders.” (https://bha.colorado.gov/behavioral-health)

While there are not presently behavioral health apprenticeships at FRCC, there are new courses available for students. If you are interested in a career in behavioral health, learn more about course options.

Industrial Maintenance apprentices are hired by one of FRCC's employer partners to learn on the job, then take classes to complete the Industrial Maintenance certificate that is part of the Automation and Engineering Technology program.  Upon successful completion, apprentices have taken 28 credits in courses such Safety, Print Reading, DC/AC, Math, Industrial Wiring, Motors and Controls, Lifting Devices, Fluid Power Control and more.

Apprentices typically come to classes on campus two days per week, then also work additional days according to the schedule set with the employer.  The work completed as an Industrial Maintenance Apprentice will include things like:

• Demonstrating understanding of tools
• Perform basic preventative maintenance on equipment
• Perform unscheduled maintenance tasks on equipment

Through this combination of on the job learning and classes at Front Range Community College, apprentices who successfully complete this program earn a certificate from FRCC and are well-prepared to launch their career as a Maintenance Tech.

Apprentices in the manufacturing are generally completing their CNC Machining certificate plus additional coursework requested by the employer to complete 18 or more credits.  Apprentices gain valuable experience through their on the job learning in combination with the classes taken through the college for the related instruction.

Coursework includes Machine Shop Safety, CNC Turning Operations, CNC Milling Operations, CAD/CAM 2D, Metrology, and Geometric Dimension and Tolerance.

Classes at Front Range Community College are offered through a combination of mornings and evenings, depending on class and semester.

Train to be a medical assistant in just one or two semesters through this hands-on program.    Apprentices get paid for on-the-job learning when hired by one of FRCC’s partner employers, and work according to the schedule set with the employer.  Through the combination of on the job learning and classes at Front Range Community College, apprentices who successfully complete this program earn a diploma from FRCC and are well-prepared to take a national exam to become a certified medical assistant.

Apprenticeship pathways are available in one of two models:

• A fast track 20 week program that includes a combination of online coursework, in-person labs, and Saturday labs. In this path, apprentices complete both semesters of the medical assistant program in 20 weeks while preparing to sit for their national exam. 
• An apprenticeship in the second semester of the program. In this path, students complete the first semester of the MA program as a traditional student then, if hired, finish the program as an apprentice who preparing to sit for their national exam.

Overall, apprentices complete a total of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training.

Optics and laser technology includes any technology that uses light.  It's used in a large variety of well-known applications such as cameras, projectors, lasers, telescopes, telecommunication fiber optics, and more.
An optics technician is someone who works to fabricate optics, using equipment to make and measure optics (metrology), and ultimately helps ensure the precise fabrication of these optics and optical assemblies.  An Optics Technician will be working regularly with their hands, generally in a lab environment, with high levels of detail.
The work completed as an optics technician apprentice will include things like:

• Participating in the planning and verification of the processes needed to fabricate optics
• Operating and maintaining optics manufacturing equipment
• Assembling optical components
• Applying anti-reflective coatings to optical components that are produced

Apprentices will work toward completing a 26-credit Optics Technology Certificate at Front Range Community College during this 3-year apprenticeship.  Apprentices will take classes in Quality Assurance, Lab Safety Operations, Fabrication Methods, Technical Mathematics, Metrology, Manufacturing Processes, and Computer Applications.

Classes at Front Range Community College are offered in the afternoons and evenings, Monday through Thursday from 3-8 pm. 

Pharmacy technician apprentices are hired by one of FRCC’s healthcare partners, then take classes to complete the pharmacy technician program while also learning on the job.  Once in the apprenticeship program, it takes 20 weeks to complete the required coursework at FRCC in addition to working. 

Apprentices complete classes both online and one day per week on campus while working according to the schedule set with the employer.  Overall, apprentices complete a total of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training.

Through this combination of on the job learning and classes at Front Range Community College, apprentices who successfully complete this program earn a diploma from FRCC and are well-prepared to take a national exam to become a certified pharmacy technician.

Train to be a sterile processing tech in just one semester through this hands-on program.  Sterile processing apprentices are hired by one of FRCC’s healthcare partners, then take classes to complete the Sterile Processing certificate while also learning on the job. 

Apprentices work during the week and take their classes online and on weekends.  When they successfully complete this apprenticeship, they earn a diploma from FRCC and are well-prepared to take the national exam to become a certified sterile processing technician.

Veterinary technician apprentices are hired by one of FRCC's Vet Tech partners, then take classes to complete the Veterinary Technician associate degree while also learning on the job.  Apprentices complete classes in person on campus while working according to the schedule set with the employer.  Through this combination of on the job learning and classes at Front Range Community College, apprentices who successfully complete this program earn an associate degree from FRCC and are well-prepared to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).