Apprenticeship Program

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) offers a paid apprenticeship program that can lead to a fulfilling and lucrative career in the hydroelectric industry. The program combines hands-on-learning, classroom instruction, and home study with supervised on-the-job training. 

The program takes three to four years to complete, depending on the trade specialization. Participants progress through the program upon successfully completing each six-month period and advancing to a range increase in pay.  After participants have successfully completed the program, they become certified as a journey person and guaranteed full time employment with DWR. 

 

 

Apprenticeship Program Qualifications

 

Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or educational equivalent
• Successfully complete the DWR apprentice civil service examination, apply for the position by submitting an application through the job advertisement, and successfully be selected through the interview process 

Knowledge and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of basic arithmetic and ability to grasp, understand, and perform mathematical computations 
• Demonstrate an ability to work with hand tools and power tools
• Demonstrate an ability to learn and safely perform unskilled or semiskilled work in a maintenance or technical occupation
• Ability to read and comprehend written instructions and procedures, and to listen and follow verbal instructions
• Ability to read independently at a high school level to complete reading assignments involving concepts of electrical and mechanical equipment, operations, and maintenance 

The Apprenticeship Program Exam and Hiring Timeline

Prior to being considered for the apprenticeship program, candidates must pass a DWR apprenticeship civil service examination, given each year. This examination includes a written section that covers math (fractions, ratios, percentages, square roots, and algebra), reading and comprehension, and mechanical aptitude. Candidates who do not pass the examination may retake it the following year.

The examination and hiring process for the DWR Apprenticeship Program takes place once a year and is a 3-step process.

• Step One: Online civil service examination – The online examination will post on CalCareers in the summer between June and July. Candidates take an exam for each trade they are interested in. Exam dates will be posted on the examination bulletin in spring.

For reference, exam bulletins from spring 2023:

HEP Mechanic Apprentice Exam Bulletin

HEP Electrician Apprentice Exam Bulletin

HEP Operator Apprentice Exam Bulletin

Utility Craftsworker Apprentice Exam Bulletin

• Step Two: Applying for the job vacancy – Once the candidate has passed the civil service examination, candidates must complete an application for each trade they are interested in. The job vacancy will post on CalCareers in the summer between June and July.

View Job Vacancy Search

• Step Three - Interviews – Candidates from the top 3 ranks are list eligible for an interview and will be notified of an interview. Interviews typically take place in early Fall.

Candidates selected from the interviews process for the Apprenticeship Program, will be notified and given a tentative offer and will complete new hire documents mid-October. Then selected candidates will begin the Apprenticeship Program the beginning of January. 

*Dates subject to possible change.

Apprenticeship Program Overview

Apprenticeship training in California originated with the passage of the Shelley-Maloney Apprentice Labor Standards act of 1939.

Apprenticeship training is a formal organized system of on-the-job training in which the apprentice learns by doing, and earns while learning. It is based upon a written agreement, called an indenture, between the employer and the apprentice. This agreement spells out how long the apprenticeship training lasts, what kinds of job tasks (called "work processes hours") are to be performed while working on-the-job, and what kinds of subject matter and work related knowledge must be learned through a program of home study and classroom instruction.

The duration of apprenticeship training varies from trade to trade. In the California Department of Water Resources, the periods of apprenticeship training are as follows:

• Utility Craftsworker Apprentice -- 3 years
• Hydroelectric Plant Operator Apprentice – 3 Years
• Hydroelectric Plant Electrician Apprentice – 4 Years
• Hydroelectric Plant Mechanic Apprentice – 4 Years

The term of apprenticeship is divided up into six-month periods. At the end of each six-month period, on-the-job work and classroom/home study progress is evaluated by the apprentice’s supervisors and recommendation made to a Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC) which approves or disapproves advancement to the next six-months level of training and salary.

After candidates have successfully passed the examination process and have been hired as apprentices - either operator, electrician, mechanic or utility craftsworker - they are assigned to work under close observation of a fully qualified and knowledgeable worker who has completed apprenticeship training and has been certified by the State of California as a journey-person.

During the first year of training, apprentices will receive detailed instructions on-the-job, attend several weeks of classroom instructions in technical subject matter and complete approximately 100-150 hours of home study courses. In the second year, apprentices will continue to receive classroom instruction, on-the-job instruction, and work under the supervision of a journey-level worker but will perform some tasks with minimum supervision. In succeeding years, apprentices will perform more and more complex tasks, demonstrating the knowledge and abilities required on-the-job. When the term of apprenticeship training has been successfully completed and all requirements have been met, the employer (Department of Water Resources), certifies the information to the Department of Industrial Relations, and the apprentice is issued a certificate and is guaranteed  to be employed as a journey-person. 

Training Triangle

The position of Apprentice is an opportunity to learn the trades and craft from qualified journey-persons. Apprentice training within the Department of Water Resources is of a highly intensive technical nature and is comprised of the following interrelated elements:

1. On-The-Job-Training

    

   This is the actual day-to-day hands-on work in which the apprentice "learns by doing." Generally, 1820 hours of on-the-job experience per year. A hands-on proficiency test is given every six-months to check and verify that the apprentice is gaining applicable and measurable experience. 

    

2. Classroom Training

    

   The Department of Water Resources Joint Apprenticeship Committee has established classroom courses in which a variety of classes are taught during regular working hours at Department facilities. Subject matter ranges from Math Review to the Theory of System Operation. The number of hours of classroom training required each year is different for each apprentice trade. Usually, the classes are 40 hours in duration or one work week. A test is given at the end of each class.

    

3. Home Study

    

   As the name implies, there is a substantial program of study that is to be completed away from the job site at the apprentice’s home. It will be essential to establish a regular time and place to study and do a certain amount of the related training (home study).  At the completion of each unit of home study a written test is given on the material covered in that particular unit. 

 

Every six-months, a closed book examination is given, all the home study material covered for that particular six-month period, will be subject to testing.

 

All exams must be passed with a minimum score of 70%; three failures of the same exam will result in termination of the Apprentice Agreement .     

 

All three of these training phases: on-the-job, classroom, and home study; are integrated so that each reinforces the other. Each element is just as important as the other.

 

Apprenticeship Program Trades

Once you have passed the apprentice exam and interview process and have been hired into a position, your period as an apprentice begins. The following trades are offered:

Utility Craftsworker Apprentice ($4358 - $6034) - Learn progressively skilled work in the repair, operation, modification, inspection, replacement and maintenance of major civil structures and related utility equipment associated with the State Water Project or the Sacramento River Flood Control Project.

Hydroelectric Plant Operator Apprentice ($4470 - $6909) - Assist a journeyperson operator and receive training in performing either manual or remote-control water and power operating and switching. Learn to: follow safe operating and clearance procedures; make routine inspections of generating and pumping units, auxiliaries and switchyard equipment; record readings of meter gauges and indicators and make logbook entries; detect any abnormal readings, sounds, smells or other indications of trouble; check local and remote recording instruments and adjust pens, charts and tape as necessary; prepare routine daily and monthly reports.

Hydroelectric Plant Electrician Apprentice ($4470 - $7315) - Assist a journeyperson electrician and receive training in the installation, repair and maintenance of wiring circuits for electrical equipment, motors and control devices. Learn to: disassemble, repair and reassemble motors, generators, large transformers, oil and air circuit breakers, disconnect switches, voltage regulators, power switchboard and other electrical equipment; test and service storage batteries; install conduits, pull wire and control board wiring; diagnose and troubleshoot electrical problems under emergency conditions.

Hydroelectric Plant Mechanic Apprentice ($4470 - $7315) - Assist a journeyperson mechanic and receive training in the repair, disassembly and assembly of large and complex equipment such as piping systems, gear boxes, drive mechanisms, pumps, turbines, motors, generators, compressors, hydraulic power and pressure units, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, valves, gates and trash racks. Learn to: test, adjust, service and maintain various mechanical meters and gates used in measuring capacity, flow pressure, temperature and velocity of liquids and/or gases; perform welding, burning, cutting and grinding; operate large overhead cranes and perform rigging.

Recommend Study Material:

• Barron’s E-Z Algebra
• Khanacademy.org
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