Get into the trades
An apprenticeship is a unique opportunity to become proficient and recognized in an important electric or gas industry skilled craft. Programs range from 2-4 years, offering experience on the job and classroom training to further your knowledge and help you acquire the skills necessary to qualify you as competent in your craft.
Selection of apprentices are typically made from a pool of qualified current Avista employees, and here we’ll walk you through how to get started.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, all under the supervision of a journey-level professional. Apprentices get paid while they learn and develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in a new career field.
Avista offers 11 apprenticeship programs, helping to prepare employees for a successful career in the trades across a wide range of interests. While the process can seem overwhelming, we’re here to help. The typical steps to follow are shown below:
Avista offers a variety of active apprenticeship programs to provide participants an opportunity to advance within their field. Apprenticeships combine classroom studies with on-the-job training from experienced mentors. To help prepare for apprenticeship, check our careers page for the availability of the following temporary jobs:
- Helper - Electrical or mechanical structural
- Groundman
- Gas crewman
- Pre-apprentice operator
- Tech assistant
- Residential meter utility worker
Helper/Tech Assistant/Utilityman/Crewman/Groundman: Temporary entry level positions, this individual will assist craft workers as required while also getting introduced to work performed by the craft. These are temporary positions, usually six months.
Apprentice: An individual who enters an on-the-job-training program for a specific craft. Training during an Apprenticeship will occur on-the-job, in a classroom or in other settings.
Journeyman: An individual who has attained the required level of expertise and training to be considered a subject matter expert within his/her craft.
Foreman: A Journeyman who leads a crew of various skill levels.
General Foreman: A Journeyman who leads a shop.
Cableman: Installs or replaces, connects and splices various types of underground high voltage power lines and auxiliary equipment including single phase and three phase network transformers, network protectors, and switches. Installs, replaces and maintains metal curb streetlight standards and circuitry and performs emergency repairs, phases and connects circuits under load.
Jobs within this craft: Helper, Apprentice, Journeyman, Foreman, General Foreman
Lineman: Install, repair and maintain overhead and underground electrical power lines and auxiliary equipment including cross arms, pins, insulators, guys, transformer and switch racks. Regularly works above ground on poles or steel towers using climbers and safety belt or operating man lift equipment, boom truck or other specialized equipment. Works on all voltages as required throughout the system and may install street and area lights.
Jobs within this craft: Groundman, Apprentice, Journeyman, Foreman, General Foreman
Electric Meterman: Test, repair, calibrate and install all types of electrical metering equipment for industrial, commercial and residential installations. Maintains electric test equipment including voltmeters, ammeters and standards and provides meter systems for other applications. Performs high bill tests on customer's premises and explains rates, billings, and conservation. Investigates metering installations for current diversion and/or theft; evaluates evidence and recommends action.
Jobs within this craft: Residential Meter Utilityman, Apprentice, Journeyman, Foreman, General Foreman
Communications Technician: Installs and maintains microwave systems which include radio installation, antenna installation, elliptical line and coaxial wave guide. Installs multiplex equipment, standby batteries, rectifiers, standby generator and grounding system. Maintains transmission interconnect level coordination with other utilities. Tests, repairs and maintains CBX computer switching telephone system. Changes or installs telephone extensions, performing physical and program changes.
Jobs within this craft: Tech Assistant, Apprentice, Journeyman, Foreman, General Foreman
Electrical Mechanic: Installs, rebuilds, repairs and maintains a wide variety of electrical equipment essential to the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power in generating stations, substations, and buildings. Repairs electronic controls, electric AC and DC motors and specialized equipment controls. Also performs miscellaneous installation or related repair duties and troubleshooting on such items as lighting systems, air-conditioning and heating equipment, house wiring, alarm, supervisory and signal systems and battery charging equipment.
Jobs within this craft: Helper, Apprentice, Journeyman, Foreman, General Foreman
Protection Control Meter Technician: Test generating equipment, measuring instruments and other components of the electrical system for proper operation and makes or suggests corrections where necessary. Diagnoses and repairs all electrical system components for the restoration of service. Tests and maintains complex relays, meters and regulators for generators, transformers, transmission, distribution and co-generation systems, which include electro-mechanical, solid state, pneumatic and non-electrical equipment.
Jobs within this craft: Tech Assistant, Apprentice, Journeyman, Foreman, General Foreman
Mechanical/Structural Mechanic: Perform substation and generating plant construction. Installs, inspects, repairs and maintains generating equipment such as hydraulic turbines, fossil fuel boilers and turbines, pumps, motors, diesel and gas engines, air compressors, and various auxiliary equipment. Use a wide variety of power and hand tools and skills associated with millwright duties, sheet metal work, welding, plumbing, masonry, pipefitting, blacksmithing, iron working, electrical work, and equipment operation. Perform various carpentry and cabinet making jobs using power and hand tools and equipment.
Jobs within this craft: Helper, Apprentice, Journeyman, Foreman, General Foreman
Hydro & Substation Operator: Operates hydro generating stations, substations and gas turbines. Continually observes the functioning of station equipment as revealed by various meters, gauges and switchboards. Prepare turbines for operation and connection to the electrical system. Maintain daily operating logs on all operations including reports on generation, river flow, line outages, weather conditions and generator operating records.
Jobs within this craft: Utilityman, Apprentice, Journeyman, Chief Journeyman Operator, Chief Operator
Gas Meter Technician: Test, prove, repair, and install gas meters, regulators, mechanical and electronic correctors and meter accessories in the field and shop. Inspect and service domestic, commercial and industrial meter sets, paints and makes general improvements on meter sets, relights customer gas applications when a shutdown is required. Checks for leaks, investigates reported leaks and takes necessary measures to ensure public safety and restore service.
Gas Serviceman: Inspect and service all types of domestic, commercial and industrial gas equipment and install meters and regulators. Investigate reported gas leaks, take necessary measures to ensure public safety and the restoration of service. Inspects, regulates, adjusts and repairs domestic, commercial and industrial appliances as permitted by Gas Code, including the replacement of thermocouples and associated parts. Inform customers of methods of relighting and maintenance of appliances. Respond to broken gas facilities, carbon monoxide investigations, assist the fire department as needed and make emergency repairs as required.
Gas Mainfitter: Perform installation, relocation or repair of gas mains, services and related facilities. Operate backhoe, trencher, ditching machine, pipe plow, hydro hammer and similar equipment used in the installation or repair of mains and services. Operates tools and instruments and performs welding on gas pipe systems, mechanical pipe joining and heat and electro fusion of plastic pipe and fittings. Locate company underground gas and electric facilities. Installs and maintains residential and commercial size meter and regulator sets.
- Apprentices must be 18 years of age or older.
- Applicants will be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the apprenticeship program, with or without a reasonable accommodation, and without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of the individual or others.
- Must have a satisfactory time-off record.
- In most cases, in order to apply for a posted apprenticeship, you must be a current employee.
- Show valid driver's license and DOT license, where applicable, and maintain a satisfactory accident record.
- Receive satisfactory performance reports suitable for apprentice classifications.
- Receive satisfactory score on job related aptitude test(s).