Apprenticeship Basics

Apprenticeship Basics FAQ

What is a Registered Apprenticeship program?
Who is Eligibile?
What are the reasons to Register and to Partner?
If we start an apprenticeship program, will that program be a favorable environment for unions?
Aren't apprenticeships only for certain trades such as manufacturing and textile?
If I make a concerted effort to train my employees, won’t they leave us for more money once they reach journeyman status?

[from the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) and South Carolina Upstate Workforce Board Process Manual for Apprenticeships]

What is a Registered Apprenticeship program?

Registered apprenticeship is a training system that produces highly skilled workers who meet the demands of employers competing in a global economy. Apprenticeship is a proven strategy that combines on-the-job training with related theoretical and practical classroom instruction furnished by the individual employer, community college, technical institute, or a four-year university to prepare exceptional workers for America's industry.

Registered Apprenticeship programs range from one to six or more years in length. The specific content of each apprenticeship training program is determined by industry needs, thereby producing workers with skills that are in high demand.

Registered Apprenticeships generally also provide an increasing scale of wages during this training period. This is a great incentive to the employee to continue in the program. It is also a great retention tool for the employer while they are increasing the skill levels of their employees.

Apprenticeship programs are commonly registered with the Federal Government. They are called "registered apprenticeship programs." Registered apprenticeship programs meet federally approved and industry-endorsed standards relating to job duties, related classroom instruction, wages, and safety and health conditions. These standards are contained in the Federal legislation known as the Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs (Title 29 CFR Part 29) and the Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training (Title 29 CFR Part 30).

Eligibility

Employer applicants include employers or an association of employers with or without the participation of labor unions. Individual applicants for apprenticeship programs must be at least 16 years old and meet the program sponsor's qualifications. Generally, applicants must prove to the sponsor that they have the ability, aptitude, and education to master the rudiments of the occupation and complete the related instruction required in the program.

Reasons to Register and to Partner

Often the question is asked by a business, “Why do I need to register my training program or what does the Department of Labor have to do with partnerships between industry and education?”

Accountability – this is probably the number one reason we feel it is important to register an apprenticeship. BAT (Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training) certification is the most widely recognized and accepted skill certification available to employers and their employees in the U. S. It is honored in all 50 states and internationally as well, because it has the full faith and confidence of the United States government.

Skills Evaluation - often employers find that they have no valid tool or measurement device in which to effectively determine the skill factors of individuals in their existing work force. A registered apprenticeship program provides them with that ability because within the registered Standards of Training is a detailed, (hour by hour) requirement of the job site skills that are mandated. The skills criterion is paired with a listing of the related training courses that must be mastered in order to complete the apprenticeship. The Standards provide a “yardstick” that accurately assesses the strengths and weaknesses of each individual employee.

Promotional Tool – employers may use registered training credentials as a motivational tool for their work force. It promotes empowerment issues, decreases turnover problems and cements better employer/employee relationships. It enhances their stature within their respective industries and provides them with a valuable tool in which to market their services and products. School systems may use partnership agreements with BAT and employers to market the value and worth of vocational/technical education to parents, students, school boards and taxpayers. In a positive, proven manner, it facilitates changes in attitudes and negates certain unfounded beliefs.

Taxes – registered apprenticeship training sponsors are considered by the Internal Revenue Service to be eleemosynary organizations. Once they are properly chartered and registered all donations of property, equipment, time, etc. which are donated is considered a tax write-off.

Networking – Once employers and schools partner with BAT they become participants in the national apprenticeship delivery system. As part of the system you are notified of all conferences, seminars, FCA policy changes, Executive Orders, regulations, etc. that have any impact upon apprenticeship training.

If we start an apprenticeship program, will that program be a favorable environment for unions?

In some parts of the country unions use apprenticeships as a tool to train their members. However, it is a common misconception that the two are inextricably tied. Actually, by having an apprenticeship program you are discouraging union activity, because your employees are more satisfied in their jobs, they are receiving salary increases as they move up the career ladder, and most importantly they know their company has made a valuable investment in them. In N.C. where apprenticeships are far more common with over 15,000 programs, unions represent less than 5% of the existing apprenticeships.

Aren't apprenticeships only for certain trades such as manufacturing and textile?

There are over 850 occupations that are registered for apprenticeships, and that number is increasing every day. Examples of occupations finding apprenticeships as a solution: Child care, Health Care, Police Officers, Telecommunications, and Textiles. Almost any occupation that has a career ladder can use apprenticeship training.

If I make a concerted effort to train my employees, won’t they leave us for more money once they reach journeyman status?

Time and time again, it has been proven that apprenticeships encourage employees to stay with a company. When asked what they like/value about their job, many employees respond that it is not only money but the ability to effectively do their job and be recognized in their trade that is important.