U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training AdministrationOffice of Apprenticeship

Steven D. Opitz, Regional DirectorDallas, Texas

An Introduction to Registered Apprenticeship

BackgroundBackground

• Apprenticeship has a history dating back over 4,000 years and has developed skilled workers in this country since its discovery.

• The National Apprenticeship Act, signed into Law in 1937 initiated the formalization of apprenticeship in the United States

• Because of the flexibility and adaptability of the apprenticeship system, it continues to be a highly successful training model

What is Registered Apprenticeship?What is Registered Apprenticeship?

• An Industry-Driven Training Strategy– Combines theory and practice through supervised

on-the-job learning, supplemented with related technical instruction

– Apprenticeship is a structured, formalized method of training both existing and future workers

• Takes unskilled or semi-skilled workers to the fully-skilled level

• A partnership with employers, employees, & the Federal Government

What Does Registered What Does Registered Apprenticeship Offer?Apprenticeship Offer?

• High wage opportunities that meet or exceed those of many college graduates

• Challenging and interesting work in a wide range of occupations

• Increased marketability and job security• Opportunity to earn college credit in many

occupational areas• Leads to a nationally recognized Certificate of

Completion of Apprenticeship which provides for portability

What Kind of Jobs are Covered?

• Nationally, there are more than 960 apprenticeable occupations in all of the major industries

• New opportunities are occurring in high tech occupations through the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative, such as security, heathcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, transportation, geospatial, and more

Apprenticeship in High Growth Industries

• Some of the targeted industries and their associated organizations are:– Healthcare – CAEL– Information Technology – NITAS– Advanced Manufacturing – NIMS– Geospatial Technology – GTAP– Transportation – Warner and UPS

How Long is the Training?

• Apprenticeships can last from 1 to 6 years

• Most skills require 3 to 4 years

• Programs can be time-based, competency-based or a hybrid

How Much are Apprentices Paid?

• Apprentices usually start at 40 to 50 percent of a journey worker’s wage

• Wages increase at regular intervals as job skills increase

• The salary for journey-level workers competes with many college graduates

How Does a person Apply?

• Candidates should apply directly to the individual programs. These can be identified by visiting our website

• This website has a program sponsor database organized by state, county and the various occupations

Registration of an Apprenticeship Program

• Takes place when a company or an association registers their apprenticeship program with the Office of Apprenticeship.

• This is accomplished through a set of Apprenticeship Standards which outlines how the program will operate and includes, but is not limited to:

Apprenticeship Standards Include:

• Safety• Record Keeping• On-the-Job Work Processes• Related Instruction• Progressive Wage Rates• Journeyworker to Apprentice Ratio• Equal Opportunity Pledge• Affirmative Action Plan

(5 or more apprentices)

Apprenticeship Shared Values

• Customer Focused• Accountability of Training• Performance-Based Outcomes• High Quality Training to Industry Skills

Standards• Develops High Performance Workforce• Labor Market Driven to Meet Skilled

Worker Needs

Benefits

• For the Apprentice

– Skill acquisition which will enable more effective competition in labor market and thus, increased job security.

– Earn while learning. Apprentices are covered by a progressively increasing wage schedule on acquisition of skills.

– Formalized training under experienced supervision.

Benefits

• For the Apprentice cont.

– Nationally recognized certification ensures high level of mobility.

– Registered Apprenticeship Programs are approved for Veteran’s Benefits as Vocational Training Providers.

– Many apprenticeship programs have “Direct Entry” provisions such as Job Corps graduates and Veterans

Benefits

• For the employer

– Free consulting service from a OA Representative who is trained to assist in the identification of skilled training needs, as well as in the development of a sound training plan to meet those needs.

– Greater customer satisfaction generated by quality workmanship.

– More flexible workforce through higher skill diversification.

– Create a reservoir of skilled workers for future workforce needs of the company.

Benefits

• For the employer cont.

– Lowers costs by increasing productivity through higher skill levels and graduated pay scale in proportion to skill levels.

– Reduce turnover and absenteeism through employee motivation to learn new job skills.

– Improves employer-employee relations by demonstrating an “I care” attitude.

– A recruiting tool.

How Do We Set a Program Up?

• Contact your local Apprenticeship & Training Representative (ATR)– The ATR will work with you to develop an

apprenticeship program to meet your specific needs

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REGIONAL OFFICE (6)

STATE/LOCAL OFFICES (72)

OFFICE OF APPRENTICESHIP

REGIONAL STRUCTURE

National Apprenticeship Statistics - 10/12/2007

• Over 27,000 Registered Apprenticeship Programs

• Over 198,000 Employers

• Over 460,000 Apprentices– 33% - Minorities– 5% - Women– 34% - Youth (ages 18-24)

• Over 40,000 Active Military Apprentices

Where to Get More Information

For more information, access our National Website at:

– www.doleta.gov/oa• What’s new in apprenticeship• Includes contact information for the

representative in your area• Provides a database of program sponsors

in each state listed by county and occupation with program address

– Or call our Toll-Free Hotline:• 1-877-US-2JOBS (872-5627)

Questions?