Apprenticeship program hits record high at CEI

At a time when the skilled workforce is in need of knowledgeable, trained staff, one Idaho school is reporting encouraging news for in-need employers.

The College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls announced its third consecutive year of growth in enrollment, culminating with a record of 625 students enrolling in its apprenticeship programs this year.

In 2024, enrollment in the programs, which include electrical, plumbing and HVAC certifications, was 422. In 2025, 496 students enrolled, CEI stated in a release.

The school stated that one of the reasons for the increase in students and its successful programs “is the quality of its instructors, working professionals who actively serve in their trades. Many own their own businesses or bring years of filed experience to the classroom. This real-world knowledge provides students with invaluable insight and practical application.”

Josiah Bell, program manager at CEI, has also been working to establish partnerships with various industries to help bolster apprenticeships for its students stepping into the workforce. “His leadership and commitment have been instrumental in the program’s continued growth and high retention rates,” the school stated.

Apprenticeships have traditionally started in the fall at CEI, but last year it developed a second cohort for first-year students in electrical and HVAC. The second cohort began offering the programs in January to accommodate more students, the school explained.

Beyond the second cohort, CEI will be looking for future opportunities to increase access for students with possible annual start dates and “hybrid learning options.”

www.cei.edu/workforce-training-continuing-education