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Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is the original 4-year degree and the oldest method of training used to learn a skilled trade. You get to earn while you learn, gaining valuable experience in your chosen occupation. Generally a 3-5 year program with job site and classroom time. In most apprenticeships you can expect to gain ninety percent of your education working on the job. You will learn the rest in a classroom and shop from skilled instructors. These classes sometimes earn college credit as well, depending on the organization. Upon graduation, apprentices continue their career completely debt free.

A progressively increasing wage scale is based on the average journey-level wage rate of the trade you are apprenticing. In general, these increases occur every 1000 hours of on-the–job training you receive, providing you have shown satisfactory progress in both your required classes and on-the-job training. Once you have reached the final 1,000 hours of your apprenticeship, your wage range, depending upon the trade you have chosen, will be between 85 to 90 percent of the journey-level rate.

    Apprenticeship

  • Earning money
  • Focus on employment
  • Debt free option

vs.

    Internship

  • Earning school credit
  • Focus on education
  • Financial aid for classes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Pre-Apprenticeship Program?

Pre-Apprenticeship programs offer an opportunity for people to gain valuable skills that they will need to be successful in their Apprenticeship experience. Many pre-apprenticeship programs are short and cost effective, giving participants a chance to figure out if the next step, an actual apprenticeship, is right for them. Many vocational high school programs exist to give students 16-18 a chance to experience and learn skills in an environment similar to that of an apprenticeship or technical program.

What is the benefit of beginning with a Pre-Apprenticeship Program?

Pre-Apprenticeship programs offer learners basic skills necessary for entry into an apprenticeship, things like first aid, applied math, financial literacy, and skills specific to certain trades. The programs are often short in length and don't cost much to participate. Pre-Apprenticeship programs often have direct connections into full apprenticeships and can help students with getting a placement.

Can I get a job directly after completing a Pre-Apprenticeship Program?

Yes. Many of the pre-apprenticeship programs offer skills that would allow you to go and get a job with only the limited skills you learned during your program. Many students use the pre-apprenticeship to learn skills, enter the workforce, then make decisions about what their next steps should be.

Do I have to attend classes if I become an apprentice?

Yes. To supplement their on-the-job training, an apprentice must complete the number of related supplemental instruction (RSI) hours required for their trade. Such instruction may be given in a classroom, through correspondence courses, self-study, or other means of approved classroom training.

What do I get when I complete my apprenticeship?

Upon completing your apprenticeship, you will receive an Apprenticeship Completion Certificate from the Apprenticeship Section of the Department of Labor and Industries and will be recognized as a qualified journey-level worker nationwide. This certificate is one of the oldest, and most highly portable, industry credentials in use today.

What is a journey-level worker?

A journey-level worker is a highly experienced individual who is recognized by a state or federal registration agency, and/or an industry, to be fully qualified to perform the skills of their trade. A journey-level worker has sufficient knowledge and skill of their trade received through formal apprenticeship training or practical work experience.

Who is eligible to apply for an apprenticeship program?

The minimum requirements will vary depending on the trade you are applying for.