What is Registered Apprenticeship?
A Registered Apprenticeship is a career pathway where employers train their staff, while individuals gain paid work experience, earn higher wages over time, receive classroom instruction, and earn a nationally recognized credential. These programs are approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and are designed by industry experts. The main components of Registered Apprenticeship include: Paid work experience, classroom instruction, mentorship, portable credentials, clear pathways to skills, equal fringe benefits as journeymen, and a clear wage scale.
What are the BENEFITS of Registered Apprenticeship? Apprenticeship Programs let you gain practical skills in your chosen field, earn a salary, and build a strong resume through hands-on experience with experts—while possibly avoiding student debt. You “learn AND earn” so you don’t have to choose between training and paying the bills. Portable, nationally recognized, credentials are the standard in Registered Apprenticeship programs. These credentials are accepted across other states and industries. Use this link to find Registered Apprenticeship programs across the U.S.: Apprenticeship Finder | Apprenticeship.gov
Are Registered Apprenticeships available in West Virginia? YES! The West Virginia Building & Construction Trades is an organization that represents fifteen different trades (listed below). This means you can choose your new career based on your specific skill-set, your location, or your past experience level. To learn more visit: https://www.wvtrades.org/
- Boilermakers
- Bricklayers
- Carpenters
- Cement Masons
- Electricians
- Insulators
- Iron Workers
- Laborers
- Millwrights
- Operating Engineers
- Industrial Painters
- Pipefitters
- Roofers
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Teamsters Union (Truck Drivers and Warehouse Workers)
Apprenticeship In Motion (AIM) WV: The (AIM) program promotes and expands registered, nontraditional apprenticeship activity in the Mountain State. This collaborative group of partners identifies, standardizes and develops courses that are needed statewide in order to increase and improve the registered apprenticeship programs within West Virginia. Learn more at: https://westvirginia.gov/incentives-and-programs/apprenticeship-in-motion/
For information on available Registered Apprenticeship programs in West Virginia and resources on cost assistance, visit: https://regionviwv.org/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-training/