Registered Apprenticeship Programs
A Solution to the Skills Shortage

What is Registered Apprenticeship?
Registered Apprenticeship is a training system that produces highly skilled workers to meet the demands of employers competing in a global economy. A proven strategy, Registered Apprenticeship ensures quality training by combining on-the-job training with theoretical and practical classroom instruction to prepare exceptional workers for American industry. The process of apprenticeship program registration with Federal and State Government agencies is standards-based. It is a process designed to ensure that working apprentices, program sponsors, and the general public can gain a clear understanding of the training content and the measures that are in place to ensure ongoing quality.

What Industries Currently Participate in Registered Apprenticeship?

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Telecommunications
• Information technology/networking
• Service and Retail industries
• Health care
• The military
• Public utilities
• Public sector

For apprentices and journeyworkers, benefits include:

• Jobs that usually pay higher wages
• Higher quality of life and skills versatility
• Portable credentials recognized nationally and often globally
• Opportunity for college credit and future degrees

Who Operates and Pays for Registered Apprenticeship Training?
Registered Apprenticeship programs are operated by both the private and public sectors. Sponsors include employers, employer associations and joint labor/management organizations. Program sponsors pay most of the training costs while simultaneously increasing the wages of the apprentices as their skill levels increase. Registered Apprenticeship training can be competency based or time based, with training generally ranging from one to six years, depending on the needs of the program sponsor. For the apprentice, this translates into an educational benefit worth $40,000 to $150,000. Because the training content is driven by industry needs, the end result of apprenticeship programs is extremely well trained workers whose skills are in high demand.

America faces a critical shortage of skilled workers, and expanding apprenticeship opportunities offer an effective approach to meet the needs of U.S. Industry and citizens in search of good, high quality jobs.

Editorial provided by Apprenticeship Fact Sheets, Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration.