Registered apprenticeships with college classes
A registered apprenticeship is a paid job with structured training, approved by the government, and many include classes at a local college. Here is who pays for what and how to find one.
Who runs and pays for an apprenticeship
A sponsor, which may be an employer, a group of employers or a joint committee of a union and employers, runs each apprenticeship. The U.S. Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency registers the program and checks that it meets national standards.
The employer running the program pays wages from the first day, and wages usually rise as you gain skills. Most programs last one to five years, depending on the trade or occupation.
Where the college classes come in
Every registered apprenticeship pairs on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction. Many sponsors arrange that instruction through a community college or technical school, and some programs award college credit toward a certificate or associate degree.
The sponsor often pays tuition for the required classes, but the rules vary by program. Ask who covers books, tools and fees, and whether the credits transfer to a degree program you might want later.
You apply to the sponsor, not to the government.
Finding and applying
The Department of Labor runs apprenticeship.gov, which lists registered programs by occupation and location. State apprenticeship offices, workforce centers and community college career offices also know which sponsors are hiring.
You apply to the sponsor, not to the government. Some sponsors take applications only at certain times of year, and some ask applicants to finish a pre-apprenticeship course or pass an aptitude test first.
How it fits with student aid
If you also enroll in a degree or certificate program, you can file the FAFSA and ask the aid office how your apprenticeship wages and any sponsor-paid tuition affect your offer. Veterans can ask the VA whether their education benefits apply during an approved apprenticeship.
Completing the program earns a nationally recognized credential from the registering agency. Keep records of your hours and classes as you go, because a college may ask for them later when it decides how much credit to grant toward a degree.
Steps to take this week
- Search apprenticeship.gov for programs near you
- Ask a sponsor which college gives the classes
- Find out whether the classes earn college credit
- Call your state apprenticeship office
Who decides
The apprenticeship sponsor and your state apprenticeship office
A registered apprenticeship pays wages while you train, and the sponsor decides who pays for the college classes.
