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Apprenticeship

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship, also known as “On the Job Training” or “Earn While You Learn”, requires classroom instruction and technical skills. Apprentices are paid to work under the supervision of journey-level craftspeople and are required to complete unpaid classroom instruction; typically, 144 class hours with a minimum of 2,000 work hours. Apprenticeships can take from 1-6 years.

FRESHMAN and SOPHOMORE YEAR

  • Research potential careers. A great place to start is through career exploration events like Career Day, and industry site field trips offered through the Career Center. Online resources include: Career Cruising and Career Bridge.  
  • Attend the College and Career Fair in the fall or spring, and the Pierce County Career Day field trip in November.
  • Review the online course catalog to research classes that coincide with career choice. Talk with a counselor about appropriate electives related to the apprenticeship of your choice.
  • Start earning high school credits and make sure you have the classes that will meet graduation requirements (you need 24 credits!); many apprenticeship programs also require a 2.0 GPA!

SOPHOMORE YEAR


JUNIOR and SENIOR YEAR

  • Continue research on apprenticeship programs through the Labor and Industries website and the BLHS Try-A- Trade Fair.
  • Stay on track with course selections that coincide with your career choice.
  • Create a resume.
  • Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and pursue higher-level math and science classes.
  • Visit union halls and/or connect with an apprenticeship representative to enroll in a formal apprenticeship program.
  • Many apprenticeships require a minimum age of 21 – all require a high school diploma or GED.
  • Pre-Apprenticeship programs offer training, certifications and pay for workers between the ages of 16 – 21. Check out pre-apprenticeship program training, ANEW https://anewaop.org/