Apprenticeships Explained: Paid Training on the Job

An apprenticeship lets you learn a skilled occupation by doing it, under the guidance of experienced workers, while being paid. You also take related classes, and at the end you hold a credential employers recognize. For many people, it is a practical alternative to paying for school before starting work.

How a Registered Apprenticeship works

In the U.S., a Registered Apprenticeship is a program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency. Every registered program includes five core parts:

1. Employer involvement: an employer, union, or industry group sponsors the program
2. Structured on-the-job learning: you work under a mentor or journeyworker, following a defined training plan
3. Related technical instruction: classroom or online learning, often through a community college or training center
4. Pay that increases as your skills grow, on a published wage schedule
5. A nationally recognized credential when you finish

Programs typically last one to five years, depending on the occupation. Many electrical and plumbing programs run four to five years; others, such as some IT and healthcare programs, are shorter.

Fields that use apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are best known in the building trades, but they have spread well beyond them:

• Construction: electrician, plumber, carpenter, ironworker, HVAC technician, elevator mechanic
• Manufacturing: machinist, industrial maintenance technician, tool and die maker
• Healthcare: medical assistant, pharmacy technician, community health worker
• Information technology: IT support, network technician, cybersecurity support
• Transportation: diesel technician, commercial driver, aircraft mechanic
• Public service and education: teacher apprenticeships, corrections, emergency services
• Hospitality: culinary and food service roles

Pre-apprenticeships

If you are not yet ready to enter an apprenticeship, a pre-apprenticeship program can help. These shorter programs build basic skills such as math, safety, tool use, and work readiness, and many have agreements that help completers enter a registered program. They are often free and run by community organizations, unions, or community colleges.

What a typical week looks like

A first-year apprentice might:

• Work full-time on job sites or in a shop, assisting experienced workers
• Spend one or two evenings a week, or a block of weeks each year, in class
• Keep a logbook of hours and skills completed
• Meet with a supervisor periodically to review progress

The work can be physically demanding, and early tasks are often basic. Responsibility grows as you demonstrate skills.

How to find a program

Search official directories

• Apprenticeship.gov has a searchable Apprenticeship Job Finder and lists of programs by occupation and location
• Your state apprenticeship agency often maintains its own list
• CareerOneStop links to local American Job Centers, which can connect you with programs

Go to the source

• Union training centers: many building trades unions run joint apprenticeship and training committees (JATCs) with employers
• Employer associations: groups such as contractor associations run open-shop programs
• Community colleges: often partner with local employers and can tell you who is sponsoring apprentices

Entry requirements

They vary by program, but commonly include:

• Minimum age (often 18; some programs accept 16 or 17)
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Basic math and reading skills, sometimes tested with an aptitude test
• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for some trades
• Ability to perform the physical tasks of the job
• Sometimes a drug screening

Popular programs can be competitive, with application windows that open only once or twice a year. Check dates early.

How to prepare a strong application

1. Brush up on math. Many aptitude tests cover algebra, fractions, and reading measurements. Free practice is available through libraries and adult education programs.
2. Get relevant experience. Work as a helper, laborer, or in a related role, or complete a pre-apprenticeship.
3. Earn basic safety credentials. An OSHA 10-hour construction card is valued in many trades.
4. Prepare for an interview. Programs often interview applicants. Be ready to explain why you want the trade and show reliability. See our Interview preparation guide.
5. Show up and follow up. Attend information sessions and keep in touch with the program coordinator.

Questions to ask a program

• Is this a Registered Apprenticeship? With which agency?
• How long is the program, and what is the wage schedule?
• What does related instruction cost, if anything, and who pays?
• What credential will I have at the end?
• What share of apprentices complete the program?
• Are tools, uniforms, or books required, and who covers them?

Pros and cons

Pros: paid while learning, little or no tuition cost, hands-on skills, a recognized credential, and a built-in network of mentors.

Cons: multi-year commitment, competitive entry, physically demanding work in some fields, and lower pay in the early years than fully trained workers receive.

Your next steps

1. Search Apprenticeship.gov for two occupations near you.
2. Note application windows and entry requirements.
3. Start math practice if an aptitude test is required.
4. Attend one information session in the next month.
5. Track your progress with the Skills & Training checklist.