Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta is giving the green light to President Donald Trump’s goal of cutting the amount of red tape associated with federally registered apprenticeship regulations. More authority and autonomy is to be granted to industry-specific trade associations, labor unions, individual business owners and other pertinent organizations when assembling and administering apprenticeship programs.
Said Trump in his June 2017 executive order:
“America’s education systems and workforce development programs are in need of reform. In today’s rapidly changing economy, it is more important than ever to prepare workers to fill both existing and newly created jobs and to prepare workers for the jobs of the future. Higher education, however, is becoming increasingly unaffordable. Furthermore, many colleges and universities fail to help students graduate with the skills necessary to secure high paying jobs in today’s workforce. Far too many individuals today find themselves with crushing student debt and no direct connection to jobs.
“Against this background, federally funded education and workforce development programs are not effectively serving American workers. Despite the billions of taxpayer dollars invested in these programs each year, many Americans are struggling to find full-time work. These Federal programs must do a better job matching unemployed American workers with open jobs, including the 350,000 manufacturing jobs currently available.”
Acosta and his staff prepared a series of questions and answers about the Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Registration Program, edited by Aftermarket Business Worldfor clarity and context:
Q: What is the official definition of an apprenticeship?
A: Apprenticeship is an arrangement that includes a paid-work component and an educational or instructional component, wherein an individual obtains workplace-relevant knowledge and skills.
Q: What is a “registered” apprenticeship?
A: Registered apprenticeships are high-quality work-based learning and post-secondary earn-and- learn models that meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor – or federally recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies.
Q: How is a registered apprenticeship different from other types of work-based training models?
A: Registered apprenticeship training is distinguished from other types of workplace training by several factors:
- Participants who are newly hired (or already employed) earn wages from employers during training;
- Programs must meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor or federally recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies;
- Programs provide on-the-job learning and job-related technical instruction;
- On-the-job learning is conducted in the work setting under the direction of one or more of the employer’s personnel; and
- Training results in an industry-recognized credential.
Q: Who oversees or “runs” the registered apprenticeship system?
A: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship works in conjunction with State Apprenticeship Agencies to administer the program nationally.
These agencies are responsible for registering apprenticeship programs that meet federal and state standards; protecting the safety and welfare of apprentices; issuing nationally recognized and portable Certificates of Completion of Apprenticeship to apprentices; promoting the development of new programs through marketing and technical assistance; assuring that all programs provide high quality training; and assuring that all programs produce skilled and competent workers.
In addition, a wide variety of stakeholders exist, including state organizations, industry associations, educational organizations – both secondary and post-secondary, workforce development organizations, economic development organizations, community-based organizations, and others. These stakeholders have a substantial interest in its success of a registered apprenticeship.
Q: How long are registered apprenticeship programs?
A: The length of an apprenticeship program can vary depending on the employer, complexity of the occupation and the type of program. Registered apprenticeship programs typically range from one year to six years. During the program, the apprentice receives both structured, on-the-job training and job-related education. For each year of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will normally receive 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and a recommended minimum of 144 hours of related classroom instruction.
Q: How can a meeting be scheduled to discuss an apprenticeship program?
A: If you would like to meet with someone from the Office of Apprenticeship, please submit your proposal in writing to our office for further review and consideration. Requests can be mailed as follows, Office of Apprenticeship, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room C5521, Washington, DC, 20210 or emailed to [email protected]with the subject line “OA Meeting Request.”
Q: How does an apprenticeship program benefit the sponsor – an employer, labor-management organization or industry association?
A: Apprenticeship sponsors develop highly skilled employees. Once established, apprenticeship programs also reduce turnover rates, increase productivity, lower the cost of recruitment and increase safety in the workplace/job site.
Q: What occupations qualify for a registered apprenticeship?
A: The registered apprenticeship program offers access to 1,000 career areas, including the following top occupations: software developer, engineers, pharmacy technicians, telecommunications technicians, aircraft technicians, mechanics, certified nursing assistants, electricians, welders, construction craft laborer, dental assistants, insurance agents and truck drivers.
Q: Are all apprenticeships union-based?
A: No. Apprenticeships are used widely across all industries and include union and non-union programs. Registered apprenticeship sponsors include unions, but also employers, community colleges and universities, workforce investment boards, industry associations and the military.
Q: Where can technical assistance resources be found to assist with developing and registering an apprenticeship program?
A: DOL maintains a number of web-based resources available for employers who want to explore the process of starting an apprenticeship program. Here you can find our newest technical assistance products, including our Quick Start Toolkit, which provides helpful steps and resources to start and register an apprenticeship program as well as our Federal Resources Playbook, which provides information on using the other federal funds and resources to support your registered apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship consultants are located in every state and are available to assist you at no extra cost.
Q: Who are typical apprenticeship partners?
A: Through a proven system of public-private partnerships, registered apprenticeship partners with a wide range of organizations including, but not limited to: businesses, employer and industry associations, labor-management organizations, state and local workforce development agencies, Workforce Investment Boards, two- and four-year colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degrees in conjunction with a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship, the U.S. military, Community Based Organizations and economic development organizations.
Q: Is an apprenticeship a job?
A: Yes, apprentices start working from day one with incremental wage increases as they become more proficient. The average starting wage for an apprentice is approximately $15 per hour.
Q: How much money can an apprentice earn?
A: Apprentices earn competitive wages, a paycheck from day one and incremental raises as skill levels increase. The average wage for a fully proficient worker who completed an apprenticeship translates to approximately $60,000 annually. Apprentices who complete their program earn approximately $300,000 more over their career than non-apprenticeship participants.
Q: Do you earn college credit while participating in apprenticeship programs?
A: Today, most apprenticeship opportunities include on-the-job training and classroom instruction provided by apprenticeship training centers, technical schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges and universities, sometimes through distance learning. Often apprenticeship sponsors work directly with community colleges that do provide college credit for apprenticeship experience.
Q: What does an apprentice receive upon completion of an apprenticeship program?
A: After completion of an apprenticeship program, the apprentice earns a nationally recognized credential from the Department of Labor that is portable and stackable. Additionally, an apprentice earns a paycheck throughout the apprenticeship and the potential for increased pay and upward career opportunities.
Q: How does an interested candidate qualify for an apprenticeship program?
A: Apprenticeship program sponsors identify the minimum qualifications to apply for a program. The eligible starting age for a registered apprenticeship program can be no less than 16 years of age; however, individuals must usually be 18 to be an apprentice in hazardous occupations. Program sponsors also identify additional minimum qualifications to apply, (e.g., education, ability to physically perform the essential functions of the occupation, proof of age.) All applicants are required to meet the minimum qualifications.
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