Apprenticeships What is an apprenticeship program? What is an apprentice? What types of apprenticeships are available? Who handles registration of apprentices and apprenticeship programs? How to enter an apprenticeship? Who to contact? What are the requirements for apprenticeship? What is an Apprenticeship Program? Apprenticeship provides training in various occupations or "trades" through a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. An experienced worker (journey person) supervises the on-the-job training. Classroom instruction is designed to reinforce the on-the-job training. Together, they can enable an apprentice to become a journey-level worker who has thoroughly learned a craft and who can adjust to technological change and a variety of jobs. Length of Apprenticeship—Depending on the trade, apprenticeships last three to five years. Related Instruction (Classroom)—Depending on the trade, 144 to 256 hours of classroom training is required. This is often included as either two nights a week, one day every two weeks, or "Saturday school". Wages—Apprenticeship salaries are based on a percentage of the journey worker's hourly pay scale in the area. Most trades have an annual increase, and a few have semi-annual increases. Benefits—Benefits are paid by the employer, separate from wages. These benefits are not necessarily guaranteed for nonunion apprenticeships. Application Period—Every apprenticeship program has a period during which they accept applications. Call the apprenticeship program for the trade that you are interested in for that information. Return to top What is an Apprentice? Apprentice vs. Journey-level Worker—An apprentice is a paid trainee who participates in a formal apprenticeship program and typically earns 40-60 percent of the journey-level worker's wage. A journey-level worker has completed an apprenticeship. Return to top Types of Apprenticeships Union Apprenticeship (Union/Employer Joint Apprenticeship) Trade unions offer employers well-trained workers in exchange for employers hiring exclusively from the union hall. Unions are intended to protect the rights of members, both apprentice and journey worker. Union officials are obliged to monitor the learning process on the job and in the apprenticeship class. Unions negotiate with employers for standard wages and benefits. Unions are subject to nondiscrimination laws. This offers an advantage for minorities and women. However, unions can have outdated hiring practices that make access difficult for minorities and women. In the past, biased attitudes of some members have made it difficult for women to take full advantage of the benefits of union membership. Sometimes, union officials have not responded to a woman's complaints about on-the-job training or may apply subjective entrance requirements to women. Nonunion Apprenticeship (Independent Nonjoint) area manufacturers, contractor associations, and individual businesses may also sponsor apprenticeship programs. In nonunion programs, wages and benefits are not guaranteed by union involvement. Training wages can be competitive with union apprenticeships; however, a negotiating body does not represent workers and their wages can remain frozen at a particular level. Sometimes entrance to nonunion apprenticeship is less difficult, in general. Unfortunately, certification may or may not be recognized throughout the industry, depending on the program, and wages are usually lower than union wages. Return to top Registration of Apprentices and Apprenticeships Government agencies at the national and state level register apprentices and apprenticeship programs: Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, registers programs and apprentices in 23 states and oversees the State Apprenticeship Council; and State Apprenticeship Councils (SAC) registers apprentices and apprenticeship programs in 27 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. Return to top Entering an Apprenticeship Program Women interested in becoming an apprentice should contact one of the three agencies below that can provide a referral to a local apprenticeship program for a particular occupation: State Department of Employment Services Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) State Apprenticeship Councils (SAC) Each apprenticeship is different. It is important that you contact the apprenticeship program for the particular occupation that you are interested in for specific details about their selection processes. You can obtain a list of those registered programs from the one of the agencies listed above. Return to top Apprenticeship Program Requirements Generally, to enter an apprenticeship, a woman will need to meet the following Age—Usually apprenticeships have a minimum age of either 18 or 17, depending on the particular trade. Most trades do not have an age ceiling. Education—Generally apprenticeships serve either high school graduates or GED holders, although a few trades will accept 10th or 11th grade education. Required Documents High school diploma or GED certificate Transcript of high school grades or GED test scores Birth certificate Social Security card Aptitude Test—Usually apprenticeships require scores from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB), given by the U. S. Department of Labor Employment Services. The GATB test includes written and hands-on, performance sections that measure a woman's aptitudes, in relation to a particular trade.     | Home | Contact | Search/Sitemap | User Guides | Events | Internet Guide | Email Lists | Copyright © 1998, Wider Opportunities for Women, All Rights Reserved.