Please visit the newly launched Dakota Prairie Apprenticeship Readiness Program (DPARP) Web Page for the most up to date application and course openings.
After 3 years of partnership NHS College has decided that the Dakota Prairie Apprenticeship Readiness Program does not align with the mission and priorities of the institution. Therefore at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, NHS College will discontinue the partnership with the NDBTU to provide the Dakota Prairie Apprenticeship Readiness Program.
Pathways into the trades through apprenticeship remains a priority for the North Dakota Building & Construction Trades Council. Therefore, the NDBTU will continue to offer this program as a means of preparation, and career planning pathway into unionized construction careers.
You may visit www.ndbtu.org for more information on their mission and goals and to find the affiliated trades. There are numerous projects up and coming to North Dakota that will require laborers in the 15 different trade areas. Jason Ehlert is the president of the North Dakota Building Trades Council and will work to establish the Dakota Prairie Apprenticeship Readiness Program into its own organization. Jason will continue to partner with agencies to fill the ever-increasing demand for construction labor. Jason can be reached at 701-541-2989 or at j.ehlert@dparp.org
History of the Dakota Prairie Apprenticeship Readiness Program
The Dakota Prairie Apprenticeship Readiness Program was the first partnership between a state building trades council and a tribal college in all of North America. It was an effort to establish a long-term pipeline for Native American apprentice candidates into building trades apprenticeship opportunities. The program has expanded to included justice involved, and individuals in recovery, women, and minority populations.
The 12-week course was officially launched in Spring 2024. The NDBTU will continue to use the nationally recognized curriculum called the Multi Core Craft Curriculum. Topics covered in this course are: Industry & Trades Orientation, Tools & Materials, Blueprint Reading, Construction Math, Green Construction, Financial Literacy, Health & Safety, and finally Diversity in the Construction Industry.
This program seeks to place apprentices within the North Dakota Building Trades.
The 15 Apprenticeship Opportunities are listed below:
Heat & Frost Workers
Iron Workers
LiUNA!
Operating Engineers
Painters/Tapers/ Glazers
Cement Masons & Plasterers
Carpenters & Millwrights
Plumbers & Pipefitters
Roofers & Waterproofers
Sprinkler Fitters
Boilermakers
Bricklayers
Electrical Workers
Elevator Constructors Sheet Metal Workers