1. Workshop on Apprenticeship – Module 1 What Apprenticeship Is and Working with Employers to Start Apprenticeship Programs

2. 2 Objectives Understand apprenticeship in order to identify existing opportunities and create new ones Be able to work with current and potential apprenticeship employers

3. 3 Basic Facts The U.S. apprenticeship system was established in 1937 by the Fitzgerald Act The specifics around apprenticeship are in federal regulations The government role is to recognize occupations for apprenticeship, register programs, provide technical assistance, track programs and participants, and issue credentials State participation is voluntary; states do not receive federal funds to administer apprenticeship

4. 4 More Basic Facts Federal regulations prescribe what a state must do to be recognized to administer apprenticeship in the state 25 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have been recognized by DOL to administer apprenticeship in their state (Go to www.doleta.gov/oa/stateoffices.cfm for a full listing) www.doleta.gov/oa/stateoffices.cfm In states where there is no recognized state apprenticeship agency, all functions are performed by DOL staff (Go to www.doleta.gov/oa/regdirlist.cfm for regional USDOL apprenticeship contacts)www.doleta.gov/oa/regdirlist.cfm

5. 5 Apprenticeship is: First and foremost a job Limited to industry-recognized skilled occupations Includes both structured on-the-job training and related instruction

6. 6 Criteria for Apprenticeship Occupations Involve skills that are customarily learned in a practical way through a structured, systematic program of on-the-job supervised learning Clearly identified and recognized throughout an industry Attainment of manual, mechanical or technical skills Completion of at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning Require related instruction

7. 7 Apprenticeship Today Over 1,000 occupations have been recognized and new ones are continually being added There are close to 500,000 apprentices and 28,000 programs The construction industry still dominates apprenticeship, but there are many other apprenticeship programs across all industry sectors The top 25 apprenticeship jobs include truck drivers, corrections officers, and child development specialists

8. 8 Sponsoring Apprenticeship Programs Common misperception is that apprenticeship programs are union programs While organized labor is often involved in apprenticeship, nonunion employers also participate Employers in conjunction with employees and associations are the apprenticeship program sponsors The same program standards apply to all prospective apprenticeship program sponsors

9. 9 Program Standards Criteria for apprenticeship program registration Basic components are: – Apprenticeship occupation – Training agreement between program sponsor and apprentice – Administrative and program compliance requirements

10. 10 More Specifically: Criteria for registering programs by a federal or state agency, relating to: – Type of occupations and length of training – The methods of training and the contents of the training agreement – Employment conditions and supervision, including wage progression – Registration, record maintenance, reporting, and certification – Compliance with equal employment opportunity requirements – Check with state or federal Office of Apprenticeship for additional specific standards

11. 11 Training Agreement Core of the apprenticeship program standards Details the on-the-job competencies that must be mastered along with hours (or equivalent) of practice to complete Identifies the supplemental training or related instruction needed, 144 hours per year is recommended

12. 12 Trends in Apprenticeship New Federal Regulations update the system by: – Authorizing interim credentials – Providing more flexibility in completing an apprenticeship program – no longer just time- based – Recognizing technology for related instruction – Improving the administration of the system

13. 13 Trends (continued) Integrating apprenticeship into the workforce development system, including one-stop career centers Apprenticeship jobs listed Apprenticeship representatives serve on local boards Apprenticeship included in local area and statewide plans

14. 14 Considerations in Starting a New Program Is the occupation apprenticeable? Is the employer and the relevant workers/representatives on board? Who else needs to be a party to this? How will the program standards be developed? How will the related instruction be delivered? Is there someone who can serve as program coordinator? How will apprentices be recruited?

15. 15 Costs for Apprenticeship Developing program Program coordinator Hiring apprentices Related training

16. 16 But First and Foremost… …have you made the case for apprenticeship: To Employers? To Workers? To Partners?

17. 17 Exercise on Marketing to Employers Select an apprenticeship occupation and potential employer Create a presentation to convince an employer to participate in apprenticeship Be persuasive and creative

18. 18 Sources of Information Federal apprenticeship staff contact information: www.doleta/OA/stateoffices.cfm www.doleta/OA/stateoffices.cfm State apprenticeship agencies contact information: www.doleta/gov/OA/stateagencies.cfm www.doleta/gov/OA/stateagencies.cfm Links to state apprenticeship web sites: www.doleta.gov/OA/sainformation.cfm www.doleta.gov/OA/sainformation.cfm Brochures/fact sheets and general information: www.doleta.gov/OA/ www.doleta.gov/OA/ Apprenticeship and individuals with disabilities: www.dol.gov/odep/ and www.ncwd-youth.info www.dol.gov/odep/www.ncwd-youth.info