How to start a registered apprenticeship in Georgia
You don’t need a training department. Here’s who sets it up for you, what money is actually out there right now, and what’s already gone.
A lot of small contractors hear “registered apprenticeship” and picture a mountain of federal paperwork. It’s less than that, because in Georgia somebody else can do most of the setup for you.
What a registered apprenticeship actually is
It’s a structured program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. Per the Technical College System of Georgia, it has six parts: a paid employee, job skills, a path to mastery, scheduled wage increases, a mentor, and a credential the apprentice can take with them. Most programs run one to four years.
Who sets it up: your local technical college
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and its 22 colleges are the state’s biggest network of apprenticeship sponsors. A college can figure out the right occupation, build the training plan, act as the official sponsor, run the classroom part, and deal with the Department of Labor for you. Start with TCSG’s apprenticeship page.
For plumbing and HVAC there’s also a group option. PHCC of Georgia has run DOL-registered plumbing and HVAC apprenticeships, so a small shop can plug into an existing program instead of building one. Check with them for what’s current.
The money, honestly
There’s real money here, but less than the internet makes it sound, and some of it is already spent.
- WIOA on-the-job training. Through WorkSource Georgia, a local workforce board can reimburse up to 50 percent of a new hire’s wages during training. The Atlanta Regional Commission says 50 to 90 percent depending on company size. The catch: the hire has to qualify (unemployed, underemployed, or laid off, and 18 or older), and it runs through your local workforce board, so call them early.
- Investing in Top Talent. $2,000 per new apprentice, up to 10, for registered apprenticeship employers. The January 2026 round closed January 16. Watch for the next one.
- Top State for Talent (TSAP) grants. Grants to employers and sponsors. The next application window opens January 2027.
- State tax credit for apprentices. There isn’t one. A related bill passed both chambers in 2026 and was vetoed in May.
Licensing: your apprentice doesn’t need one
Georgia licenses contractors (conditioned air, electrical) and journeyman and master plumbers. Apprentices and helpers work under your license. For HVAC, anyone handling refrigerant needs the federal EPA 608 certification. It’s cheap and quick, so make it part of month one.
The part nobody can do for you
A program is just paperwork until you’ve got somebody in the seat who wants to be there. That’s the part we handle: we find career-changers who chose the trade on purpose and put them in front of you.
Sources: TCSG · WorkSource Georgia employer resources · Atlanta Regional Commission · Investing in Top Talent · TSAP · Georgia licensing rules, Ch. 121-3. Program status as of November 2026; check with the agency before you apply.
Questions
How do I start a registered apprenticeship in Georgia?
Contact your local Technical College System of Georgia college. TCSG colleges can design the program, act as the sponsor, provide classroom training and work with the U.S. Department of Labor for you.
Is there funding for apprentices in Georgia?
Yes, but it's limited. WIOA on-the-job training through WorkSource Georgia can reimburse up to 50 percent of an eligible hire's wages during training (the Atlanta Regional Commission says 50 to 90 percent in its seven counties, depending on company size). TCSG also opens incentive and grant rounds for apprenticeship employers from time to time. Georgia has no state tax credit for apprentices.
Do apprentices need a license in Georgia?
No. Georgia licenses contractors and journeyman and master plumbers. Apprentices work under the contractor's license. HVAC apprentices handling refrigerant need federal EPA 608 certification.
Want us to find them for you?
We recruit for HVAC, electrical and plumbing contractors across Georgia.
$2,500 per hire, 90-day replacement guarantee, nothing unless you hire.