Paid apprenticeships, from electricians to barbers
An apprenticeship is a job where you learn a trade: you're paid for the work, take classes alongside it and finish with a credential.1 This page explains how apprenticeships work and lists the 725 on this site that are approved for WIOA funding, by trade and state.
What is a registered apprenticeship?
A registered apprenticeship is approved by the US Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency. It differs from a school program in four ways:1
- It's a paid job. Your pay rises as your skills grow.
- You learn on the job in a set program, from an experienced mentor.
- You take classes alongside the work.
- You finish with a credential recognized across the country in your industry.
You apply to the employer or the program sponsor, not to a school.2
How long does an apprenticeship take?
It depends on the job, the employer and the program.1 Electricians and plumbers usually train for four or five years, with about 2,000 hours of paid work on the job each year plus classes.34 Machinist apprenticeships last several years.5 Work or classes you've already done may count toward finishing, but every apprentice spends at least six months (1,000 hours) in the program to earn the completion credential.6
Can WIOA pay for an apprenticeship?
Yes. Registered apprenticeships qualify automatically for the state lists of programs that WIOA funding can pay for, if they agree to be listed, and a WIOA training account can pay for a pre-apprenticeship or for the training within a registered apprenticeship.7 Whether you qualify, and how much is paid, is decided by your local American Job Center: see Does WIOA pay for job training?
What is a pre-apprenticeship?
A program designed to prepare you to enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship.8 Some plumbers start that way, or as helpers.4 This site lists 42 pre-apprenticeships in electrical work, plumbing, carpentry and machining; each trade's state page shows them in its program list.
What do apprenticeships on this site cost?
Of the 725 apprenticeships listed here, 386 show no price. The other 339 list one: most from $2,199 to $6,363. A program without a price may charge nothing or may not have reported its price: the same course sometimes shows $0 in one listing and a price in another. Ask the program what you'll pay and what you'll earn on the job.
How do you find an apprenticeship near you?
The Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Finder lists open apprenticeships by place and job, and you apply directly to the employer or sponsor.2 Your local American Job Center can tell you whether WIOA funding can help; call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).9 The lists below show the apprenticeships each state has approved for WIOA funding.