10 Things You Might Not Know About Registered Apprenticeship Programs

  You might have heard the term “Registered apprenticeship program” and be curious to know more about what it entails. Or, this could be your first time hearing it and you’d like to know what it means. However you ended up here, this article will explore the concept of a registered apprenticeship program and teach you 10 facts that are crucial to the program.   A registered apprenticeship program is a subsection of the much broader category of apprenticeship programs. Not all apprenticeship programs are considered registered apprenticeship programs, as these have to be approved at a state or federal level. Because of this extra step, registered apprenticeship programs are able to offer more benefits than their counterparts cannot.  

Registered Apprenticeship Programs are government-approved

  Unlike other apprenticeship programs, a registered apprenticeship program has been validated by the US Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. This leads to greater employer participation since companies receive federal resources, such as grants, which in turn allows them to offer more positions within their apprenticeship. The resources provided by the government also lead to more apprentices completing the program in a registered apprenticeship than those that are not registered.  

The benefits can transfer over to another job

  Upon graduating from a registered apprenticeship program, you will receive a national, industry-recognized credential. This means that even if the company you completed your apprenticeship program under isn’t the right fit for you, your credential will allow you to receive offers from other companies seeking your skill set.  

Apprenticeships are more common than you think

  In 2020 alone, more than 221,000 people across the nation entered an apprenticeship program, with almost 26,000 active registered apprenticeship programs. Thousands of new apprenticeship programs are being added each year, showing that this method of training has continued a steady increase in recent years.  

Apprenticeships are evolving

  When Congress enacted the National Apprenticeship Act in 1937, apprenticeships were centered around training workers for trade jobs. In the past decade, they have expanded to include a wider variety of jobs as well.    As of now, the biggest market for apprenticeships are jobs that are deemed “new collar” jobs, falling somewhere in between the spectrum of white and blue collar. In fact, apprenticeships span more than 1,000 occupations, including sectors such as energy conservation, healthcare, cybersecurity, and information technology.1  

A college degree is not required

  Since an apprenticeship offers its participants full training and a job upon completion, a college degree is not necessary. Specifically for “new collar” jobs, apprenticeships are highly valuable as they teach participants the customized tools needed for their work. This proves more significant than learning outdated material and vague skills provided by college curriculums.   You can enter an apprenticeship directly out of high school, or even start one in another field after receiving a degree if you have decided to change career paths. There is more flexibility with an apprenticeship program than with a traditional college degree.  

Apprenticeships are more diverse

  Apprenticeships boast a higher percentage of gender and racial diversity than that of university populations. By offering apprenticeships, workers who might tend to get overlooked are given the same chance to enter the field of their choosing. Apprenticeships also offer a chance to those who are looking for a traditional job later in life, with a large percentage of their participants being veterans and the formerly incarcerated.    The Department of Labor also protects participants in Registered Apprenticeship Programs from discrimination on the basis of disability, and the employer must provide reasonable accommodations. With an apprenticeship, people are able to get personalized education and training that better prepares them for specific job requirements.  

Apprenticeships are paid opportunities

  Unlike a college degree, apprenticeships will actually pay their participants while they learn. Instead of going into debt, you can actually earn a living while getting taught the same skills in a more specialized environment. This allows you to focus more on the material being taught and less on financial worries.  

Apprenticeship graduates receive a better starting salary

  Those who have undergone an apprenticeship receive a better starting salary than their college-educated peers, with an average starting salary of $60,000 upon completion. Since you already know all the specific skills that a job requires instead of just the vague basics, companies are willing to offer you more for your employment.  

Apprenticeship better prepares you for the workforce

  Since apprenticeships are mentored by experienced employers, they learn exactly what to expect in their careers. They are also taught more up-to-date skills that will translate directly to their chosen career field.   

Apprenticeships offer more structure

  Many people wonder about the difference between an apprenticeship and an internship. Besides the fact that apprenticeships are paid, and most internships are not, the biggest difference is in how they are structured. The training that apprentices undergo is a well-thought-out plan to teach them specific skills their company is looking for.    Internships, on the other hand, simply focus on gaining entry-level work experience, with their participants doing menial tasks and only observing the things they will do as an official employee. In an apprenticeship, it is a much more hands-on approach with its participants being taught these things directly.  

Still undecided?

  Figuring out your path in life always comes with certain stresses, but with an apprenticeship, at least you aren’t going through it alone. A mentor will be with you every step of the way, teaching you exactly what your career field needs. That way, you’re offered more help and resources to make you the best possible version of the worker you can be. If you are looking for an inclusive and easily-accessible way into the workforce, then finding a registered apprenticeship program could be the next step for you.   With greater benefits and education while being paid for your time, an apprenticeship with Apprentice Now gives you all the tools that you need to focus on starting your career, so you can enter your field as a truly prepared and knowledgeable candidate.   1:https://www.apprenticeship.gov/help#1 2:https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/odep/categories/youth/apprenticeship/apprenticeship_guide_for_educators-service_providers-2021.pdf