Transcript An Introduction to Registered Apprenticeship U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration

An Introduction to
Registered Apprenticeship
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Office of Apprenticeship
Steven D. Opitz, Regional Director
Dallas, Texas
Background
• 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?
• 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
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:
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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:
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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
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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
OFFICE OF APPRENTICESHIP
REGIONAL STRUCTURE
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REGIONAL OFFICE (6)
STATE/LOCAL OFFICES (72)
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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?