Quick Overview
The employer engagement team created marketing material for outreach and education to employers interested in the apprenticeship-training model. Activities across all industry sectors include research and the creation of key return-on-investment documents, intended for registering new employers into apprenticeship.
Exisiting materials were collected, surveys conducted and data used to create specific messaging and delivery to benefit the following audiences:
• Employers seeking to expand apprenticeship
• Employers new to apprenticeship model
• Employer Champions of Apprenticeship
• Existing apprenticeship programs and staff
What else to know
Employer Engagement (Apprenticeship 101)
Apprenticeship is a structured system of hands-on training designed to teach highly technical skills. It produces workers fully competent in all aspects of an occupation, including knowledge, skill and proficiency on the job.
Apprenticeships have a history in the construction industry but Washington State is emerging into new industries and populations.
With apprenticeship training, there is a written agreement approved by and registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship & Training Council (WSATC). This Apprenticeship Standard agreement specifies the length of training, related classroom instruction, an outline of the skills of the trade, and the progressive wages the apprentice will be paid.
Apprenticeships can be union or non-union sponsored.
Sponsors take two forms:
- Single-employer program
- Multi-employer program
Apprenticeship 101:
- Apprenticeship starts with a job.
- Related supplemental instruction (RSI) is the classroom portion of the program. 144 hours of classroom time are required for each year of the apprenticeship.
- It is optional for the employer to pay wages or tuition for classroom time.
- Apprenticeships range from one to five years in length, depending on the occupation. (Minimum 2,000 OJT hours)
- Apprentices receive a wage increase as they gain skills and abilities.
- The apprentice will graduate as a journey level worker with a nationally recognized credential.
Getting Started - Two ways to participate
- Join an existing program as a Training Agent.
- Create your own program as a Sponsor.
Training Agent—as a training agent, you sign an agreement with an existing registered apprenticeship program.
The apprentice will work for you and the existing apprenticeship program sponsor will provide the classroom training. This option provides the flexibility of getting started immediately. There are costs associated with joining an existing apprenticeship program.
If you are interested in becoming a Training Agent, contact a program in your area for more information.
Sponsor—create an apprenticeship program approved by the state.
New programs sponsors are approved on a quarterly basis (January, April, July and October). There are reporting and compliance requirements for every sponsor.
Contact an Apprenticeship Consultant if you are interested in starting a new apprenticeship program.