Apprenticeships
Rhode Island.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
Active Apprentices by Trade
Rhode Island · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 1,596 total
+6 additional trades not shown
BLS OEWS median across 1 metro area in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island yet. See the DOL-registered programs below, or search Apprenticeship.gov.
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in Rhode Island with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 27 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IBEW 99 JATC Union/Labor | Cranston | Electrician | 186 | UNION |
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 51 Union/Labor | East Providence | HVAC TechnicianPlumberPipefitter/Steamfitter | 169 | UNION |
Rhode Island Laborers District Council Union/Labor | Hopkinton | Laborer | 103 | UNION |
Gem Plg & Htg Inc Employer | Lincoln | HVAC TechnicianPlumberPipefitter/Steamfitter+2 | 98 | non-union |
Iron Workers Union, Local 37 Union/Labor | East Providence | Ironworker | 96 | UNION |
Finishing Trades of Southern New England Union/Labor | Middletown | Painter/FinisherGlazier | 72 | UNION |
Electric Boat Employer | North Kingstown | ElectricianPipefitter/SteamfitterPainter/Finisher | 67 | non-union |
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 57 Union/Labor | Johnston | Operating Engineer | 51 | UNION |
Energy Electric Co Inc Employer | Foxborough | Electrician | 48 | non-union |
Atlantis Comfort Systems Corporation Employer | West Warwick | HVAC TechnicianPipefitter/SteamfitterSheet Metal Worker | 36 | non-union |
Sheetmetal Workers Local 17 Union/Labor | Providence | Sheet Metal Worker | 34 | UNION |
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 39 Union/Labor | Warwick | Elevator Constructor | 24 | UNION |
Donovan & Sons Inc Employer | Middletown | HVAC TechnicianPipefitter/SteamfitterPlumber | 19 | non-union |
Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Local 3 Union/Labor | Charlestown | Bricklayer/Mason | 17 | UNION |
Restivos Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd Employer | Johnston | Sheet Metal WorkerPipefitter/SteamfitterHVAC Technician+1 | 16 | non-union |
Environmental Systems Inc Employer | Taunton | Pipefitter/SteamfitterHVAC TechnicianSheet Metal Worker+2 | 16 | non-union |
Isaksen Solar LLC | Fall River | Electrician | 15 | non-union |
CARJON Air Conditioning and Heating Inc Employer | Smithfield | HVAC TechnicianPipefitter/Steamfitter | 15 | non-union |
National Refrigeration Inc Employer | Warwick | Sheet Metal WorkerHVAC TechnicianPipefitter/Steamfitter+1 | 13 | non-union |
Southern Mechanical Inc DBA Energy One Employer | West Warwick | Pipefitter/SteamfitterHVAC TechnicianSheet Metal Worker+1 | 12 | non-union |
Martel Plg & Htg Employer | Lincoln | HVAC TechnicianPipefitter/SteamfitterPlumber | 12 | non-union |
F & S Electric Inc Employer | Bristol | Electrician | 11 | non-union |
Trinity Solar Employer | North Kingstown | Electrician | 11 | non-union |
Newport Electric Construction Corp Employer | Bristol | Electrician | 10 | non-union |
Regan Heating & Air Conditioning Co Inc Employer | Providence | Pipefitter/SteamfitterHVAC TechnicianSheet Metal Worker+1 | 10 | non-union |
A & L Mechanical Inc Employer | Coventry | HVAC TechnicianSheet Metal WorkerPipefitter/Steamfitter+1 | 10 | non-union |
Sunrun Installation Services Inc | Cumberland | Electrician | 10 | non-union |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in Rhode Island may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island 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.
Rhode Island Licensing
Rhode Island is an SAA state and is not right-to-work. Individual trade licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) are issued by the Dept. of Labor and Training's Professional Regulation unit. Contractor firm registration is administered separately by the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) within the State Building Office.