Apprenticeships

Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities

Apprenticeship is an industry-driven training model that combines on-the-job learning with job-related instruction. As an "earn and learn" model, apprentices are employed and earn wages from the first day on the job. Apprenticeship is post-secondary education like a college or university. But there's a big difference. Apprentices learn only a portion of their skills in a traditional classroom. They receive most of their training on-the-job, while working for an employer who pays a good wage. The employment is the primary requirement for an apprenticeship - a job must exist in order for the apprentice to be trained. The classroom instruction is usually provided through the Wisconsin Technical College system. 

Registered Apprenticeship offers numerous benefits to both employers and job seekers by operating a time-proven training method of combining on-the-job training with classroom learning. Apprenticeships provide employers with solutions to the current shortage of skilled workers and the ongoing need for a highly skilled workforce while providing apprentices the benefits of an "earn while you learn" training model.

Benefits of Registered Apprenticeship:

1. A paycheck: From day one, you will earn a paycheck guaranteed to increase over time as you learn the skills of your new career.

2. Hands-on career training: As an apprentice, you could receive practical on-the-job learning in a wide selection of programs, such as health care, construction, technology, manufacturing and service careers.

3. An education: You'll get hands-on training and can earn college credit, even an associate degree, often paid for by your employer, all while earning a great wage! College vs. Apprenticeship Handout

4. A career: Once you complete your apprenticeship, you will be on your way to a successful long-term career with competitive wages, and little or no educational debt.

5. National industry certification: Upon completion of your apprenticeship, you'll get a nationally recognized completion certification and can take it anywhere in the U.S.

Becoming a Registered Apprentice:

Step 1: Select an Occupational Area

Explore what occupations and industry sectors fit your interests. You can search what industries are offered in your location and discover the average income offered. Wages may vary depending on the occupation you choose. Most apprentices begin at approximately 50% of the current skilled wage rate. Occupations may provide a periodic step increase every month or 1,040 hours. Apprentice’s wages must average 60% of the skilled wage rate during the term of the apprenticeship program.

Step 2: Begin Applying

The process for applying for an apprenticeship differs based on your industry and occupational interests.

You can apply for most apprenticeships through an employer’s personnel or hiring office, by visiting this featured sponsors page where you can find a list of some sponsors and the occupational training offered, or by searching apprenticeship openings listed at Job Center of Wisconsin .

Often the best chance to obtain an apprenticeship is to find an employer willing to hire you and persuade them to provide skilled training. However, some large industrial/manufacturing plans have a bargaining agreement with a union that makes apprenticeship opportunities only available to workers already employed in their workforce.

Unlike the other Apprenticeship programs, construction apprenticeships are offered through Local Apprenticeship Committees instead of the employer. You can search for the nearest committee to your area by visiting Local Apprenticeship Committees and searching by county or trade.

Before contacting your Local Apprenticeship Committee, select one or more construction occupations that interest you. Once you have discovered some trades, contact your Local Apprenticeship Committee training office and speak with the Apprenticeship Training Coordinator for further information about beginning your time as an apprentice.

Youth Apprenticeship Opportunities

Youth Apprenticeship is not the same as apprenticeship. Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship program is a part of a statewide School-to-Work initiative. It is designed for high school juniors and seniors who want hands-on learning in an occupational area at a worksite along with classroom instruction. For more information about Youth Apprenticeship, please click here or contact Ms. Westphal at Jessica.Westphal@bvaedu.org. 

Youth Apprenticeship (YA) integrates school-based and work-based learning to instruct students in employability and occupational skills defined by Wisconsin industries. Local programs provide training based on statewide youth apprenticeship curriculum guidelines, endorsed by business and industry. Students are instructed by qualified teachers and skilled worksite mentors. Students are simultaneously enrolled in academic classes to meet high school graduation requirements, in a Youth Apprenticeship related instruction class, and are employed by a participating employer under the supervision of a skilled mentor.