Long Term Apprenticeship Program

Cal-Earth also offers the possibility of a long-term apprenticeship course following participation in one of our workshops. The long-term apprenticeship program at Cal-Earth is an immersion opportunity at Cal-Earth. The program is developed to offer greater understanding of Superadobe work in greater depth than a one-week apprenticeship can offer.

Apprentices may make a career from what they have learned, including teaching for Cal-Earth in the United States and abroad, as well as working on private building projects. The long term apprenticeship program is geared more to those who might like to make a career out of this work or who might like to teach and train others in sustainable or "green building". Additionally, the program will prepare you to lead a larger and more complex project-perhaps for a client or community. Long-term apprenticeships are offered upon evaluation with Cal-Earth's directors at the completion of an intensive workshop.

Length of Program: 1 month with possible extension to 3+ months based on availability and director's discretion

Start Dates: February, May, and September of each year (after completion of workshop)

Schedule: The schedule is 6 days a week and includes days dedicated to research and development, construction and maintenance of Superadobe structures on Cal-Earth site, personal Superadobe projects arranged with instructors, and general tasks to help with the upkeep of Cal-Earth campus. In addition to laying bag, the long-term apprenticeship program offers the opportunity to learn many other building skills as they arise during on-site project days.

Benefits: The long-term apprenticeship program allows for a relationship to develop between Cal-Earth and the apprentice. The opportunities resulting from this relationship include teaching and giving workshops in the US and abroad, doing design work and construction for Cal-Earth overseas. Cal-Earth can provide referrals which result in private work for clients. Space in the long term program is limited.

Tuition: $2500/4000 (one month/three months) This includes participation in ongoing workshops, a furnished bedroom in one of our on-site student houses, utilities and services (including internet), access to bikes for transportation.

If you are interested, please submit an application for a workshop and indicate in your essay that you would like to study long term. Some partial scholarships are available. The program director will contact you for an interview and follow up discussion.

we live on earth
yet so ignorant of earth
and all the treasures it holds- Rumi

"Anybody in this world
should be able
to build a shelter
for his or her family
with the simplest
of elements......
earth, water, air, and fire."
-Nader Khalili

Cal-Earth Inc. / Geltaftan Foundation | Hesperia, California | Your Privacy | Contact Us

Superadobe technology (sandbag tubes and barbed wire) was designed and developed by architect Nader Khalili and Cal-Earth Institute, and engineered by P.J. Vittore. Superadobe is a patented system (U.S. patent #5,934,027) freely put at the service of humanity and the environment. Licensing is required for commercial use.