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Apprenticeship Awareness Toolkit

Apprenticeship Awareness Toolkit

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What is Apprenticeship?
Youth Apprenticeship
How does apprenticeship work?
Who can be an apprentice?
How do you become an apprentice?

What is Apprenticeship?


Apprenticeship is a structured system of training designed to prepare individuals for skilled occupations. It combines on-the-job learning under the supervision of experienced journey workers with related classroom instruction. It is sponsored by employers, employer associations, or labor/management groups that can hire and train in a working situation.

The employment opportunity is the most basic requirement for an apprenticeship. Without a job, there is no "on-the-job" learning, and such training represents about 90 percent of the program. Apprentices who successfully complete the prescribed number of training hours in an apprenticeship program become certified skilled workers.

Youth Apprenticeship


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 students who want hands on learning in an occupational area at a worksite along with classroom instruction. For more information about youth apprenticeship, please visit the Department of Workforce Development's Youth Apprenticeship Programs page.

How does apprenticeship work?


Apprenticeship is postsecondary 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.

Apprentice Welding Get your Degree in Doing banner

Who can be an apprentice?


Apprenticeships are open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Aside from that, age doesn't matter, though many young people start their training directly after high school.

How do you become an apprentice?


Apprenticeship Your Future Starts Now poster

Application procedures vary widely depending on the occupation and geographical location. Generally, there are 5 steps to successfully securing an apprenticeship. To find out more about how you can become and apprentice, Download this apprenticeship information in a handy pdf booklet format.

Additional Apprenticeship Resources

Wisconsin Apprenticeship Homepage
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development apprenticeship website is the location for everything about Wisconsin's apprenticeship program.

Youth Apprenticeship in Wisconsin
Youth Apprenticeships are open to juniors and seniors in high school. Start here to learn about Youth Apprenticeships in Wisconsin's high schools.

Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Manual
This manual contains the regulations, policies, and procedures around Youth Apprenticeship in Wisconsin

How to Become an Apprentice
"Earn While you Learn" is the motto for becoming an apprentice. This document provides and explanation about the structure of an apprenticeship program and how to become and apprentice.

How to Build Awareness of Apprenticeship
Suggestion guide for promoting Apprenticeships.

Dictionary of Occupational Titles and other occupational information

Technical College Apprenticeship Liaisons
This is a list for all 16 Technical College apprenticeship liaisons. They are a great resource for specific apprenticeship information in your region and potentially guest speak for your classes.

Sample Regional Career Pathway for Architecture and Construction

Construction Industry Careers
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) downloadable booklet about construction apprenticeship programs.

Video Gallery: Build Your Future
Follow the link to a collection of Build Your Future Build America videos related to apprenticeships in Career and Technical Education. Also check out their main page highlighting construction careers.