Completion
of an Apprenticeship Program is from 1-5 years;
Eligible
to Persons 18 of age or over with a high school diploma or equivalent (some programs have options for individuals under 18 years of age) or can
earn within one year, completion of school to work program welfare to work program;
Individual
apprenticeship committees accept applications for their own programs. They
advertise that they are accepting applications through local newspapers, local
schools, community-based organizations and the Labor Commissioner's Office
bulletin board;
The
waiting period, from the date an application is filed to placement into an
apprentice program, varies from industry to industry. The apprenticeship
committee reviews applications to make sure the applicants meet the minimum
qualifications for the program. If an applicant is qualified, the application
is ranked by test scores, an interview, an evaluation of past experience and
education or a random drawing. The applicant is placed on a list of eligible
applicants. The program uses this list to fill vacancies, as they become
available. Some committees allow direct entry into the program;
Apprentices
must attend related classroom training instruction along with on-the-job
training experience. A minimum of 144
hours of related instruction is the typical minimum for a program, but most
exceed the 144 hours;
The
term of the apprenticeship program is based on what type of program it is. (1)
If the program uses a time-based approach, requires the completion of
not less than
2,000 hours of work
experience, on-the-job learning, consistent with
training requirements as established by practice in the trade; (2)
If the
program uses a
competency-based approach,
specifies the skills that must be demonstrated by an apprentice and
addresses how on-the-job
learning will be
integrated into the program; or (3) If the
program uses a
hybrid approach, specifies the skills that
must be acquired
and the minimum
number of hours of
on-the-job learning that
must be completed
by an apprentice.
There
are some programs that are linked with the community colleges for related
training instruction. In those classes, the apprentice could receive college
credit and work towards a degree;
The
program sponsor is required to pay for the cost of training. The apprentice may
be required to furnish his or her own books and tools;
Salaries
vary from industry to industry. The average starting wage of an apprentice is
about 40% of a journey worker's rate of pay. Programs are required to
progressively increase the apprentice’s wages provided the on-the-job training
and school performance is satisfactory and in accordance with the
apprenticeship committee.