Retrofit Electric, a division of The Retrofit Companies, Inc. (TRC), with locations in Owatonna and Little Canada, MN, is proud to offer a registered apprenticeship program to our electricians.
TRC’s president and owner, Wendy Fry, shared her thoughts on the program:
“Sure, it comes with a pretty hefty price tag. Our apprentices earn an above-average hourly wage, progress on a set schedule based on hours worked, and cost the company thousands of dollars each year in education expenses and administrative fees. However, I’m extremely confident that every apprentice is advancing at a much faster pace than before we introduced the program. It’s also a clear indicator to me that they take their career seriously and want to become the best electrician they can. That's who we want on our team, taking care of our customers.”
A Registered Apprenticeship Program is a formal, state-approved training system that combines on-the-job learning with classroom instruction. Unlike informal training or simply registering as an unlicensed electrician, a registered apprenticeship is a structured education pathway recognized by the State of Minnesota.
The program is vetted and registered with the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry.
Apprentices sign a contract with their employer outlining:
Length of training
Required classroom hours
Skills to be learned
Wage progression
Apprentices receive paid employment while gaining hands-on experience.
Includes at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of related instruction per year, plus safety training.
Successful completion leads to becoming a licensed journey worker, with the education required to hit the ground running and excel at your career.
When asked about the decision to bring MEA’s ETN of MN registered apprenticeship program on board, Operations Manager, Dan Knutson, shared two key reasons:
1. Building the Best Electricians
"We wanted to develop the best electricians possible. Combining classroom learning with hands-on field experience gives our team a strong foundation in electrical knowledge and safety. Technology is changing rapidly, and I felt it was important to find individuals dedicated to becoming great—not just working here.”
2. Strengthening Our Partnership and Measuring Motivation
“TRC is proud of its long-standing relationship with the Minnesota Electrical Association (MEA)—a trusted partner in training, compliance, and industry support. This collaboration has been instrumental in helping our organization thrive and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field.
The MEA apprenticeship program is more than just a training pathway—it’s a benchmark for commitment and professionalism. At TRC, we now require all apprentices to register and actively participate in this program before joining our team. This ensures that every candidate is serious about their career and dedicated to delivering the same level of value and excellence that we provide once they become licensed electricians.”
Hear from one of our apprenticeship participants, Ben, on how the apprenticeship program helped him achieve his goals of becoming a journey worker.
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