I want to Become an Apprentice/Pre-Apprentice

Apprenticeships are a learn-while-you-earn approach to career development through which individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. They provide on-ramps to rewarding and family-sustaining careers, without the burden of debt that traditional 4-year programs bring. Registered Apprenticeship (RA) is a structured education and training program that takes place in the workplace and includes formal on-the-job training (OJT) and classroom-based, related technical instruction (RTI). An apprentice is a full-time, paid employee of the sponsoring organization from the start of the program. An apprenticeship must include at least 2,000 hours of OJT and a required 144 hours of RTI, but many programs last for four or more years. An apprenticeship is not an internship, nor is it a short-term training program. Apprentices work full-time and are paid a wage that is subject to minimum wage regulations, but may begin below that of incumbent worker. As the apprentice hits milestones such as completing a certain number of program hours or demonstrating job competencies, their wages increase according to the agreement signed by the employer and the apprentice at the beginning of the program.