What is Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a partnership between business, industry and government resulting in a skilled trade. Apprentices learn the aspects of a highly skilled occupation through on-the-job training and related instruction, while being sponsored by individual employers. Apprenticeship training requires a wide and diverse range of skills and knowledge, as well as maturity, commitment and independence of judgment.
The apprenticeship agreement combines both the on-the-job experience and classroom related training instruction over two to five years. A minimum of 144 hours of related training per year is recommended for several trades. In most cases minimum qualifications for an apprenticeship include: a high school diploma or GED®, a minimum of a 'C' grade for one year of high school algebra (or equivalent), and applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
- Paid employment during training with wage increases approximately every six months
- Opportunity to learn skills needed by employers throughout the industry
- A more secure career and the ability to adapt to new job requirements
- The background to become a lead person, foreman, or supervisor
