Apprenticeship

WHAT IS APPRENTICESHIP?

Apprenticeship is a career pathway where individuals can earn and learn at the same time! 

Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by joint employer and labor groups, individual employers, and/or employer associations. The sponsor of an apprenticeship program plans, administers, and pays for the program. Frequently, organized labor unions also participate jointly with these employer(s) to sponsor apprenticeship programs. Registered apprenticeship, traditionally associated with the trades in construction, precision, craft and repair, is now available in hundreds of occupations.

Washington apprenticeship programs

 

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PAID JOB

Earn a competitive wage doing something you love from day one

A progressively increasing schedule of wages is based on the journeyworker's hourly wage of the apprentice's occupation. These increases occur with satisfactory progress in both related instruction and on-the-job training until wages reach 85 to 90 percent of the rate paid the journeyworker in the occupation.

Education

EDUCATION

Gain knowledge with structured learning and on-the-job training

  • Through the Apprenticeship Agreement, an apprentice, as an employee, receives supervised, structured on-the-job training combined with related technical instruction. The instruction, usually classroom study, in a specific occupation can be held at public secondary or post-secondary schools, employer or union-sponsored schools or community colleges.

  • Some registered apprenticeship programs also have dual accreditation through post-secondary institutions which apply credit for apprenticeship completion towards an Associate Degree.

Credentials

CREDENTIALS

Enhance your resume with industry-recognized credentials

Upon completing a one to five year (2,000 hours to 10,000 hours) apprenticeship, the worker receives an Apprenticeship Completion Certificate and is recognized as a qualified journeyworker nationwide. This Certificate is one of the oldest, most basic, and most highly portable industry credentials in use today. The Certificate is issued by a federally approved State Apprenticeship Council or Agency or, in those States not having such an agency, by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

Apprenticeship Prep

Programs are offered to help an individual prepare for an apprenticeship. Washington State has numerous programs to choose from.

Apprenticeship prep programs

Formally recognized apprenticeship preparation programs are commended for their efforts to link students to registered apprenticeship opportunities in accordance with recognized best practices. Each of the programs recognized have at least 1 established working relationship with an apprenticeship program sponsor — many have more. These training Results prove that apprenticeship produces highly skilled workers and contributes to the economic vitality of our state. Get connected, get enrolled, start building your career path today.