Apprenticeships: How Paid On-the-Job Training Works

How apprenticeships work

• You’re hired and paid. Apprentices are employees, earning wages from the start.
• You learn on the job. You work under experienced journeyworkers, building skills through real work.
• You take related classes. Classroom or online instruction covers theory, codes, math and safety, often a set number of hours per year.
• Your pay grows with your skills. Many programs increase pay at set milestones.
• You earn a credential. Completing a registered apprenticeship earns a nationally recognized certificate of completion.

Which careers offer apprenticeships?

Traditional trades are the best known: electricians, plumbers, carpenters, HVAC technicians, lineworkers, heavy equipment operators, glaziers and mechanical insulators. Apprenticeships are expanding into IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, manufacturing and logistics too. See jobs with paid on-the-job training.

Types of programs

• Union (joint) apprenticeships run by unions and employer associations.
• Non-union (merit shop) programs run by contractor associations or individual employers.
• Employer programs in companies, hospitals and utilities.
• Pre-apprenticeships that prepare you to qualify and apply.

How to find one

• Search Apprenticeship.gov, the U.S. Department of Labor’s apprenticeship finder.
• Contact local union training centers and contractor associations.
• Visit your local American Job Center or community college.
• Ask employers directly. Some hire apprentices without advertising widely.

How to prepare

• Math: Many entrance tests include algebra and basic math. Review before you test.
• Reading comprehension: Practice reading technical material.
• Requirements: Most programs require a high school diploma or GED, a minimum age (often 18), a driver’s license and the ability to pass a drug test.
• Show commitment: Safety training such as OSHA 10, related work experience and reliable transportation help.

Is an apprenticeship right for you?

It’s a great fit if you want to earn while you learn, prefer hands-on work and can commit to a multi-year program. The trade-off: you start at lower apprentice wages and must balance work with classes.

Careers mentioned in this guide

• Electrician: Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.
• Plumber: Install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code.
• Carpenter: Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.
• Electrical Lineworker: Build and repair the power lines that deliver electricity, on poles, in buckets and underground.
• Heavy Equipment Operator: Operate excavators, dozers, loaders and graders to move earth and build infrastructure.
• HVAC Technician: Install, maintain and repair heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration systems.
• Glazier: Install glass windows, storefronts and curtain walls on buildings.
• Mechanical Insulator: Insulate pipes, ducts, boilers and equipment in plants and buildings.

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