The Apprenticeship Solution

For many students, college is not an option. The cost of admission and other factors often make attendance difficult at best. The prospect of finishing a four-year degree can be daunting, especially if the student is looking for financial aid to assist with the associated expenses. The college class schedule and lost wages for missing time on the job can become the deadly one-two punch that knocks many students out of a rewarding salary and meaningful career. The thought of enrolling at a college, losing wages for time lost in training, and taking so much time from a young family can be enough to convince some that a dead-end low-skill/no-skill job is all that is available to the high school graduate.

For this student, there is another option that limits classroom time, offers training in a real-world environment and offers earnings opportunities that are competitive with the college graduate career paths. This option allows the prospective student to learn job skills in virtually any area of expertise.  This option is a Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program and this is how the program works.

A prospective student may contact the Department of Labor to determine what programs are available in his/her area. Programs are generally available in most fields and may include, but are not limited to, construction, culinary arts, electronics, manufacturing, mechanical trades, and architectural drawing.

By contacting the program of choice, the student will learn about the enrollment procedures and requirements for that program. A prospective apprentice may be required to meet various criteria to enter the program. The criteria to enter may include a high school diploma or G.E.D. (some programs offer a G.E.D. program for prospective students), a drug screening, a skills assessment, or possibly membership in a respective craft union. Many programs provide pre-apprenticeship programs to introduce prospective students to the craft before enrolling them in the program itself.

Most registered apprentice programs provide two to four years of training. Some programs will offer advanced placement for previous experience, education or demonstrated craft knowledge. In most instances, the advanced placement aspect of an apprenticeship program will have the student making top pay in less than four years. Additionally, some registered apprenticeship programs are tied to a collective bargaining agreement between the employer and a craft union; the student will be guaranteed periodic raises based on time in the program and/or the acquisition of new job skills. A potential pay scale may look something like this:

1st six months	60% of Pay	No Benefits
2nd six months	65% of Pay	No Benefits
3rd six months	70% of Pay	Limited Benefits
4th six months	75% of Pay	Limited Benefits
5th six months	80% of Pay	Limited Benefits
6th six months	85% of Pay	Limited Benefits
7th six months	90% of Pay	Full Benefits
8th six months	95% of Pay	Full Benefits

The cost of enrollment in a registered apprenticeship program can be minimal or nonexistent. The cost of such programs is usually funded by the employers that work and train the apprentice. A program that works in conjunction with a technical school or college may even have scholarship funds available for potential students. For the apprentice with military experience, funds may be available for training and living expenses through the Veterans Administration office as well.  In short, there is no economic reason to hinder an eager industrious person from enrolling in a registered program.

A graduate may say, "I'm not too good at class work. I could never get through four years of classroom training". Here's good news for you! Most training in an apprenticeship program is not conducted in the classroom. The overwhelming majority of the apprentice's time is spent on the job, learning his/her skill with "hands on" training in a real world environment. Usually the apprentice attends class once a week for just a few hours. In fact, less than twenty percent of the apprenticeship training is usually conducted in the classroom where basic trade theory is taught. However, theory and knowledge is not real world skill. So, eighty percent of the student's time is spent on the job where hands-on training is conducted by professionals in the respective field.

Because the apprentice will spend forty hours on the job learning what it takes to make real money in a real world, the student will earn while he/she learns. Furthermore, the employer usually sees great value in training his future employees at a reduced wage rate. As a result, the apprentice may find great job security while learning his/her trade and receive competitive wages and reasonable benefits. For the young apprentice starting a family the "earn and learn" approach to career training makes more sense than the "pay now and hope for more" in the future model laid out in the college career path.

Many businesses are experiencing more manpower shortages than ever before. Major employers are encouraging apprenticeship as a means of meeting the demand for skilled labor throughout the country. Others are issuing signing bonuses and other incentives for skilled labor such as welders and other skilled workers that are trained in apprenticeship programs.

Any student that is looking for an alternative education at a reasonable price should investigate an apprenticeship program today. The schedule is flexible, the education is top-notch, and the future is very promising for highly skilled workers.

Editorial written by Mark Brown, Senior Business Representative, Southeastern Carpenters Regional Council Local 225.