Apprenticeship Programs

Overview

An apprenticeship is a formal method of training in a skilled occupation, craft, or trade.

Apprentices learn occupations through a structured program of on-the-job training with related classroom technical instruction.

The United States Department of Labor recognizes more than 1,000 apprenticeable occupations. Many apprenticeships are in construction, manufacturing, transportation, and services. More recently programs for information technology, health care, and other non-traditional apprenticeships have been developed. For other occupations, such as carpenters, bakers, and machinists, apprenticeship is one of several options for training.

For some skilled-trade occupations, such as plumbers and electricians, apprenticeship programs are the primary way to get training. See Occupations linked in the Related Information area for a list of these occupations.

For more information, visit:
Apprenticeship.gov (external link)

See schools that offer this program.

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

Classroom instruction is designed to provide apprentices with knowledge in technical subjects related to their trade. For example, construction apprenticeships may include course work in blueprint reading, carpentry, iron work, and concrete work. At least 144 hours of related classroom instruction are required during each year of apprenticeship training. Classes are taught by journeyworker instructors and are usually held at night through public educational facilities such as community colleges or vocational-technical schools.

The apprentice must show satisfactory progress on the job and in related classroom instruction. To master a particular trade, an apprentice must learn and perfect each skill and bring those skills up to the speed and accuracy required of the job. A good attendance record is also important.

Things to Know

There is often a long wait between selection as an apprentice and assignment to a job. In some trades, apprentices are responsible for finding their own jobs.

College credit

Some two-year colleges offer credit for previous work experience in an apprenticeable occupation.

Program Information

Programs vary in length from one to six years; four years is the average. A few programs last less than one year.

Training takes from 2,000 to 8,000 hours of working on the job. Also, for each 2,000 hours of training on the job, 144 hours of classroom instruction are required.

Applicants must usually be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent. It is helpful to have taken some vocational courses. Some programs also require specific course work, the physical ability to work in the trade, and a passing score on an aptitude test.

Apprenticeship pay usually begins at nearly one-half the pay rate for journey-level workers. After six months, the pay rate begins to move up periodically until the apprentice reaches the journey level. Wages are never less than the federal minimum wage.

Apprenticeship programs are developed with the cooperation of area joint apprenticeship councils.

Applicants are expected to complete an application form and submit it with a birth certificate, school transcripts, and letters of recommendation. In the selection process, the top candidates will be interviewed and those selected will be placed on a waiting list (which is active for two years).

Apprenticeship committees give points for experience in the trade, knowledge of the trade, and grades in trade-related courses. Applicants with the highest number of points are selected for the program. There are many more applicants than apprenticeship openings in some trades and locations. Those selected often have more trade-related experience, more education, and higher grades than the minimum requirements described for the apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by labor unions, employers, or a combination of the two. The sponsor plans, administers, and pays for the program. The worker (apprentice) signs a written employment agreement and is a full-time, paid employee of the company where he or she is apprenticed. When apprentices finish their training, they receive a certificate of completion issued by the State Apprenticeship Agency or by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

Program Contact Information

For more information about apprenticeships, you may contact a union office, the State Bureau of Employment Services, or any apprenticeship office in the state. To request an apprenticeship application form, you may contact a state office or an office in your area.

Selection Committee Concerns

In most apprenticeable trades, a local committee interviews and selects apprentices. Committee members represent both management and labor. Below are some general concerns of selection committee members, along with suggestions on how to deal with their concerns. In the next section are examples of questions they may ask during the interview.

Specific questions vary with the trade and the committee. To meet federal Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action requirements, committee members will ask each applicant the same questions.

Committee members are especially interested in:

YOUR DESIRE AND PERSISTENCE

Explain why you want to enter the trade
Tell how you became interested in the trade
Let the committee know if you have ever applied to this or any other trade before

YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRADE

Describe how you have observed the work and the work setting
Describe some of the jobs the workers perform
Talk about the tools and equipment used in the trade
Know how long the apprenticeship program is
Know what the wages are for apprentices and journey-level workers
Describe how you have observed or studied other trades and explain your reasons for choosing this particular trade over others

YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE

Describe any work experience that may be related to the trade or that may have provided exposure to the trade
Relate any experience where you have had a favorable work record such as good references, attendance, or long-term employment

YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Describe hobbies or activities that show abilities or skills related to the trade. For example, doing minor repairs around the house, using hand tools, fixing or maintaining your car, or planning the family budget.

Sample Interview Questions

Following are sample questions that may be asked by selection committee members during the interview. You should answer as completely as possible and tell the committee ALL of your trade-related interests, activities, awards, and experiences.

Why do you want to be a. . . ?
Why did you choose this over some other trade?
Construction sites are cold in winter, hot in summer; they can be muddy and wet. What makes you consider working in these conditions?
What kinds of work have you done in the past?
Do you have any paid or unpaid work experience or hobbies that relate to this trade?
Can you travel if the job requires it?
Do you have transportation available?
I see you attended college. Why aren't you working in the field for which you trained? (If the applicant attended college.)
How do you feel about going to school as part of your apprenticeship?
Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about yourself? (This general question provides you with the opportunity to mention any skills, interests, goals, or activities not covered in previous questions and that you think are important.)

State Specific Resources

The best source of additional apprenticeship information is the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Contact the office nearest you or visit their apprenticeship website (external link) .

The department also has an educational website (external link) for K-12 students interested in learning more about apprenticeships.

Training for apprenticeships is offered at sites in the areas below. Contact the Joint Apprenticeship Training Council consultant of the apprenticeship program in which you are interested.

Department of Labor and Industries, Apprenticeship Section, Northwest Washington
1720 Elllis Street, Suite 200
Bellingham, WA 98225-4647
Gary Peterson, Apprenticeship Consultant
360.416.3081 or Gary.Peterson@Lni.wa.gov

Department of Labor and Industries, Apprenticeship Section, King County
Sandra Husband (south county) or Andrea Anderson, (north county) Apprenticeship Consultants
206.835.1028 (Sandra) or 206.835.1027 (Andrea); Sandra.Husband@lni.wa.gov or Andrea.Anderson@lni.wa.gov

Department of Labor and Industries, Apprenticeship Section, Western Washington
Patrick Martin, Apprenticeship Consultant
950 Broadway, Suite 200
Tacoma, WA 98402
360.485.3313 or Patrick.Martin@lni.wa.gov

Department of Labor and Industries, Apprenticeship Section, Southwest Washington
Evan Hamilton, Apprenticeship Consultant
360.902.6781 or Evan.Hamilton@Lni.wa.gov
Brittany Craighead, Apprenticeship Consultant
360.902.5565 or Brittany.Craighead@Lni.wa.gov

Department of Labor and Industries, Apprenticeship Section, Central Washington
AhShalla Harris, Apprenticeship Consultant
4310 West 24th Avenue
Kennewick, WA 99338
509.735.0119 or AhShalla.Harris@Lni.wa.gov

Department of Labor and Industries, Apprenticeship Section, Eastern Washington
Evie Lawry
901 North Monroe, Suite 100
Spokane, WA 99201
509.324.2590 or Evelyn.Lawry@lni.wa.gov

The Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center/Apprenticeship and Education Center (external link) , which is part of South Seattle Community College, provides training for apprentices and journey-level workers in over 25 different trades. The Center cooperates with several Joint Apprenticeship Committees to offer these courses. Students who wish to attend the Center must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. For more information, contact the Center at the following address:

Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center/Apprenticeship and Education Center
6737 Corson Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98108
206.934.5350

The Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO (external link) , is a voluntary coalition of over 60 construction-related organizations. The Council also provides information on building trades apprenticeship programs in Washington. For more information, contact the Council at the following address:

Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council
906 Columbia Street SW, Suite 107
Olympia, WA 98501
360.357.6778