Apprenticeship Training Program for Job Seekers

Overview

Apprenticeship training helps prepare and train you for a career in a skilled trade or craft. It combines supervised on-the-job training with job-related, classroom instruction to teach you the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Paid on-the-job training, sometimes referred to as “earn while you learn,” helps you gain entry into a high-wage occupation while avoiding large student debts.

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Eligibility

Registered apprenticeship employer sponsors identify the minimum eligibility and any additional qualifications applicants must possess.

Minimum Qualifications

To apply for apprenticeship training, you must meet all of these qualifications:

• Age: To be eligible, you must be no younger than 16 years of age; however job seekers must be 18 years of age to be an apprentice in a hazardous occupation, and proof of age will be required.
• Education: Typically a high school diploma or GED is required, but an apprenticeship program may have other minimum requirements.
• Physical Ability: Some programs may require physical strength and endurance. Where necessary, apprentices must be able to work in a physically demanding environment for extended periods of time and in all weather conditions.

Additional Qualifications

All applicants are required to meet the minimum qualifications. Some programs may have additional qualifications regarding:

• Performance on aptitude tests
• Secondary or postsecondary grades
• Previous work experience

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Career Opportunities

Registered apprenticeship training programs meet the skilled workforce needs of industry and train qualified individuals for lifelong careers. Traditional industries include construction and manufacturing. Emerging industries include health care, information technology, energy and telecommunications.

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Become an Apprentice

To become an apprentice, apply to one or more apprenticeship training programs that interest you. You can find registered apprenticeship training programs on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship Sponsors Website by searching the nationwide Program Sponsors database. To get sponsor details, select View. Write to the program sponsor to request an application and submission instructions.

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