TECHS - Technician Education for Careers out of High School Apprenticeship

We Are:

Fermilab is America's premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and at locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, and the South Pole.

We are strategic risk takers, innovators, and collaborators. We are engineers, scientists, technicians, administrative professionals. We are over 2,000 employees advancing knowledge for the benefit of humankind. Fermilab has been at the forefront of particle physics for more than 40 years. We build world-leading accelerators and detectors to conduct some of the most advanced particle physics experiments possible. We collect and analyze the data from those experiments with some of the most powerful computers in the world. We conduct this research on a 6,800-acre prairie, 35 miles outside Chicago, a treasure that has been designated a National Environmental Research Park.

TECHS, Technician Education for Careers out of High School, is an apprenticeship for Illinois high school rising seniors who have a strong interest in learning technical skills that can lead to careers as technicians at Fermilab. An applicant must be a junior at the time of applying. The program duration is 10 weeks for each of two consecutive summers. During the first summer, apprentices learn basic electrical and mechanical skills and are introduced to careers at Fermilab. During the second summer, upon graduating from high school, apprentices will participate in on-the-job training by working alongside lab technicians on tasks that support the lab's science mission. Apprentices who complete the two-summer program are qualified to apply for entry-level technician positions at Fermilab.

During each summer, apprentices are mentored by lab spokespersons and program teachers who provide instruction on projects and necessary technical skills. Skills that are taught during the program include mechanical skills like rigging of heavy equipment, mechanical assembly using hand tools and brazing by following a drawing, assembly and check-out of high vacuum systems, and electrical skills soldering, basic electrical wiring, printed circuit board layout and repair, using equipment such a digital multimeter and digital oscilloscope to troubleshoot electrical systems.

The TECHS Apprenticeship serves as a pipeline program for future Fermilab technicians. The program aims to support and generate the next generation of professional technicians.

This video provides more information about Fermilab Technicians and the essential work they do to support the science mission.

Annually, the TECHS cohort is 5 students.

Eligibility

• 2024-2025 high school juniors (at time of application, the student must be a junior).
• Illinois high school enrollment
• Eligible to work in the United States

Application Procedure

The application procedure consists of two parts:

Part I: Submit your application with the requirements listed below.

• Online application - Application Walkthrough Video Guide
• Unofficial transcript
• One letter of recommendation - a teacher from a class (e.g. electronics, welding, automotive, construction/building trades) After submitting an application, an email link will be sent to identified references to upload their letter of recommendation. Note, reference links are sent only to the individual writing the letter of recommendation and only emailed during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.)

Part II: Selected applicants will need to participate in an interview with the TECHS committee. This includes the applicant bringing a portfolio of their work that will be used as a point of discussion. The interview will take place at the Fermilab campus.

Apprenticeship Details

• Application Period: December 23 - March 2, 2025
• Interview Date: March 18 - March 20, 2025
• Offer Date: March 31, 2025
• Acceptance Date:April 7, 2025
• Program Dates:June 9, 2025 - August 15, 2025
• Salary: $17.75
• Transportation/Housing:Fermilab does not provide housing, meals, or any transportation.

Deliverables

• Oral presentation
• Exit survey

Fermilab is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting and developing the most hardworking people and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, country of birth, geography/postal code, disability, marital status, parental or gestational status, or other non-merit factor.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.