Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship FAQs

Student questions

An apprentice is an employee who learns a trade or craft through a structured, supervised, on-the-job training program combined with classroom instruction. Apprentices require a minimum of 2,000 hours of full-time work experience and 144 hours of classroom instruction.

Apprenticeship includes on-the-job training and classroom instruction, which typically take place simultaneously. As a result, the apprentice learns the theory behind a job, but also gets to apply that in the hands-on performance of the job.

Due to the progressive nature of the training, apprentices also learn all aspects of their craft, making them more valuable employees. A key advantage of apprenticeship training is that the employee not only learns how a job is done, but also how his or her employer wants the job done.

Apprenticeship training programs can be from one to five years long; most are two to four years. During this time, the apprentice works for an employer or trade organization in a craft, applying the information he or she is learning in classroom training.

Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, an individual is considered a Journeyworker, indicating he or she is fully trained and is skilled in all facets of a craft. Individuals who complete a registered apprenticeship program receive a certificate of completion from the state of North Carolina, which is recognized anywhere in the U.S. as proof of training.

The U.S. Department of Labor administers apprenticeship training, and the administration is sometimes delegated to a state. In North Carolina, apprenticeship is administered by the North Carolina Community College System – ApprenticeshipNC.

Employers in Wake County who wish to establish apprenticeship programs work with Wake Tech Apprenticeship to determine the type of apprenticeship, the duration of the program and the training and experience employees must complete as part of their apprenticeship. The apprentice's wages at each stage are also agreed upon as part of the registered program, thus ensuring the apprentice is aware of his or her rate of pay throughout the apprenticeship process.

A list of current apprenticeship programs is available on the Apprenticeship Information for Students webpage.

Different programs have different lengths. Most apprenticeships run between two and four years, though some are as brief as one year and others go for five years.

Wake Tech Apprenticeship scholarships cover eligible tuition and fees. For degree programs, students are eligible for scholarships once they are hired as an apprentice, and funds are applicable after any financial aid is applied.

Yes, qualifying veterans can use their GI Bill benefits to pay for apprenticeship training while they are employed and drawing a salary.

The minimum eligibility requirements include the following:

  • 18 years old
  • High school completion or equivalent
  • Have a U.S. Social Security number
  • Eligible to work in the U.S.

Additional eligibility requirements vary by occupation.

In general, applicants should have the physical strength and abilities to perform the duties of the particular trade for which they wish to apprentice. They also should have basic math skills through algebra and the ability to read and understand written instructional manuals.

The program requirement is for employers to be in Wake County, but this does not extend to where an apprentice lives.
A Journeyman Certification is received when registered apprentices complete the program. This is a nationally recognized credential, meaning it is valid anywhere in the United States and U.S. territories.

Employment with a Wake Tech Apprenticeship partner employer is required to be an apprentice. However, some programs offer pre-apprenticeship opportunities where you can participate for a limited time while you prepare to secure apprenticeship employment with a partner employer.

Apprentices with prior experience can participate in either the same field or another in which they may be interested. You can email our team for more information regarding the best path for you.

Employer questions

Many businesses are struggling to find qualified workers. Apprenticeship provides a customized training program that meets the specific needs of your business.

In developing the program, you work with Wake Tech Apprenticeship to determine the skills you want your workers to have and then design the training to meet those needs. The classroom training is then reinforced through on-the-job learning, where the apprentices are taught by an experienced mentor from your company. The end result is highly skilled workers who are trained not only in their craft, but also in how your company does things.

In addition, apprenticeship offers a safer work environment through increased attention to safety training and improved employee retention. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show that 91% of individuals who complete an apprenticeship program are still with their employer nine months later.

Businesses that wish to start a registered apprenticeship program should contact Wake Tech Apprenticeship staff at 919-334-1624 or [email protected].

There are no direct costs or fees for setting up an apprenticeship program. Monitoring the program will require a company to maintain records on each apprentice's work experience. But the costs of the monitoring should be more than offset by the apprentice's improved performance.

While employers can set up their own training programs, they typically find the process too cumbersome. Those who wish to start an apprenticeship program but want others to do the training should contact Wake Tech Apprenticeship staff at 919-334-1624 or [email protected] to discuss training alternatives and assistance with the design of a program that ensures the company is receiving training that fits its needs.