So, what is an apprenticeship, anyway?

Apprenticeships are esteemed opportunities.
Apprenticeships afford participants a chance to earn money while they learn in a non-traditional classroom setting. The earn-and-learn model provides apprentices an opportunity to see a direct relation between their increasing skills and increasing wages. Apprenticeship programs are one of the most effective ways to reach our labor force participation and attainment goals and to ensure that Alabamians are on career pathways leading to economic mobility and self sufficiency.

5 Components of an apprenticeship

  1. Business driven
  2. On-the-job-training
  3. Related technical instruction
  4. Progressive wages
  5. Nationally recognized credentials

An apprenticeship is a form of work-based learning that provides formal, on-the-job training program and classroom instruction.

Why would an employee want to participate in an apprenticeship?

With the growing types of apprenticeships available, apprentices receive practical on-the-job training in a wide variety of occupations and industries. Alabama apprenticeship models exist in health care, construction, information technology, transportation, hospitality and tourism, advanced manufacturing, industrial systems maintenance, and new models are being created every day.

Apprentices receive a quality education through hands-on training resulting in improved skills and competencies as well as the potential to earn college credit toward an associates or bachelor’s degree.

From their first day of work, apprentices receive a paycheck that is guaranteed to increase as their training progresses. Apprentices also complete a combination of job-related instruction and hands-on training at the job site leading to a nationally recognized, portable credential. Once the apprenticeship is complete, workers are on their way to a successful long-term career with a competitive salary and little or no educational debt.

When an apprentice graduates from a career training program, he or she earns a certified portable credential accepted by industries and employers across the U.S.

Where can I start looking for apprenticeship opportunities?

Your first stop needs to be an Alabama Career Center. Begin at the AlabamaWorks! page to find your local Career Center. They can help you find jobs and training including apprenticeship programs and much more.

Check out the Apprenticeship Finder offered by the United States Department of Labor.

Create an account on AlabamaWorks.Alabama.gov to see what is available and let employers know you are in the market.

Get an idea of the location of apprenticeship sponsors in Alabama by checking out this map.