What is Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a voluntary training system which provides businesses with skilled employees trained in the technologies. Apprenticeship training is a proven, cost-effective system for training employees in occupations which require a wide range of skills and knowledge. Apprenticeship training can benefit any size employer. Many of the state's largest employers use apprenticeship training. Most apprenticeship programs, however, are registered to small businesses.
Apprenticeship is...
On-the-job training in the workplace that enables the apprentice to learn and perform his or her job. OJT ensures that the apprentice is fully trained in all areas of the occupation.
Related instruction that occurs in the classroom after work. Tailored to your needs, related instruction builds the theoretical and technical knowledge needed for the occupation. Apprentices usually spend four to six hours per week in class. Instruction may be provided by the adult vocational education program of a local public school or by a community college.
State-certified training. Apprentices are awarded a certificate of completion from the Commonwealth of Virginia after successful completion of the on-the-job training and related instruction. You, the employer, must agree that the apprentice has learned the skills of the occupation before an Apprenticeship Certificate is awarded.
How Does Apprenticeship Benefit Me?
- Apprenticeship provides skill training and job related theory tailored to your company's needs. Apprentices learn things in the classroom that they can use to solve problems on the job.
- Apprenticeship helps you meet your needs for a reliable supply of high quality, skilled labor.
- Apprenticeship increases job satisfaction, improves employee moral, and reduces job turnover and absenteeism.
- Apprenticeship provides safer workers.
- Apprenticeship provides a pool of future supervisors.
- Apprenticeship helps you attract better qualified applicants.
- Apprenticeship prepares employees for licensing exams in those occupations which are licensed.
- Through apprenticeship you gain the services of Apprenticeship Field Representatives and Related Instruction Coordinators who will assist you in setting up a structured training program which meets your company's needs.
What's Required of me?
As an employer establishing a registered apprenticeship program you must:
- Meet with an Apprenticeship Field Representative who will assist you in developing a registered training program for your company.
- Review, with an area Related Instruction Coordinator, the classroom instruction program to be sure it meets your needs.
- Identify the employee(s) who will provide the on-the-job instruction.
- Identify the employee(s) who will be apprentices.
In many cases a training program can be registered in an hour or less.
It Works!
Apprenticeship training is a proven, cost-effective system for training employees in occupations which require a wide range of skills and knowledge. Over 2,500 Virginia businesses in all sectors of our economy---manufacturing, services, and construction---currently use apprenticeship to meet their skill training needs. Each year over 1,300 apprentices complete their training and receive apprenticeship certificates which are recognized throughout the country.
Apprenticeship training can benefit any size employer. Many of the state's largest employers use apprenticeship training. Most apprenticeship programs, however, are registered to small businesses.
For more information...
Roger G. Halsey, Coordinator
Apprenticeship Related Instruction & Workforce Development
wchalsr@wcc.vccs.edu
Phone: 276-744-4973
Fax: 276-744-4989
Jane Mitchell, Education Support Specialist II
wcmitcj@wcc.vccs.edu
(800) 468-1195 Ext. 4820 or (276) 223-4820.