BY: Juan Gonzalez
Registered Apprenticeship is something that when you hear about, you automatically think: “construction trades.” What if I told you that apprenticeship is much more? Registered apprenticeship is a great solution for creating strong and equitable jobs in many sectors you may have never considered, such as Information Technology, Healthcare, Retail, and Transportation. Registered Apprenticeship is beneficial for employers and career seekers in a safe approach.
The elements of Registered Apprenticeship programs include:
- Industry Led
- Paid Job
- Structured On-the-Job Learning/Mentorship
- Supplemental Education
- Diversity
- Quality & Safety
- Credentials
These seven key elements make up the foundation of a registered apprenticeship which puts the student in a position to succeed and get right into work. Industry-led programs are crucial because they align with the standards that the industry needs at the moment in high-demand occupations. A paid job is helpful because apprentices earn on a growing scale as their productivity grows in their training. Structured on-the-job- learning is the core structure for apprentice training. The structured on-the-job training in the apprenticeship model comes from a “mentor” the Mentor is an experienced employee in the company who supports, teaches, and shows the apprentice how to do the job. Supplemental education comes directly from the employer’s training requirement specific to the company. The Diversity portion of Registered apprenticeship comes into play when the program is created to reflect the area in which the program is being held. Strong anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and recruitment policies are used to ensure that programs reflect the communities in which they operate and to promote access, equity, and inclusion. Quality and Safety are in place so that all apprentices are given a fair chance to work and train during their apprenticeship period. Finally, the Credential portion of the apprenticeship program is fully transferable and recognized within the industry wherever the apprentice chooses to go after completion.
In conclusion, the Registered apprenticeship program is a door to a career where you can earn while you learn and an alternative to college. Finding what’s best for you may be tricky, but there are resources to help you through this process. There are apprenticeship offices in every state, and speaking to a guidance counselor can also help get more information on this program. What is right for you?