Today, apprenticeship opportunities are being talked about more than ever. In fact, even the President is talking about supporting apprenticeship training through the stimulus package. By the end of this article, you, a soon to be high school graduate, may also be talking about exploring your new career through apprenticeship training. High school graduates interested in becoming apprentices have many different interests ranging from air transport pilot to pipefitter. All apprenticeships have the same components, however, which include “learning while earning.”

Apprentices are “earning” while working for 2,000 hours, which equates to full-time employment. They are “learning” during their participation in 150 hours of related classroom instruction. The lengths of programs vary by occupation, but usually range from two to five years. During this time you can go from a high school graduate to the professional designation of journeyperson, mechanic or even mentor! At the end of some apprenticeships these titles correlate with state licensure requirements associated with their respective professions.

There are over 850 occupations in a wide range of industries that can be learned through apprenticeship training. 101 occupations are currently registered with 452 Massachusetts employers. As mentioned, some of these exciting fields are supported through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) including “greening of America” initiatives.

Some of these occupations can be learned during an apprenticeship with a trade union. Trade union apprenticeship programs offer training in their respective trade and provide the requisite work hours. Apprentices continue working with a union after the apprenticeship is completed, providing continuity from learning to earning. Specific union application deadlines and interview dates are listed below.
Massachusetts Labor Unions Apprentice OpportunitiesAsbestos
Boilermakers
Bricklayers
Carpentry
Electrical & Telecommunication
Electrical
Elevator Construction
Engineering-Hoisting and Portable
Floor Covering
Ironworkers
Laborers
Lineman
Mill and Machine Erectors Painters
Pile Drivers
Pipefitting
Plaster and Cement Masons
Plumbing
Plumbing & Pipefitting
Printing Pressman
Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Oil Burners
Roofing
Sheet Metalworking
Sprinkler Fitter
Steam Fitters
Telecommunications


Apprentice sponsors usually require candidates to be a high school graduate like you. Some of your prior schooling and experience may be credited towards apprenticeship requirements. A Division of Apprentice Training representative will work with you and your sponsor to help determine this. Students without prior related training or experience, and those needing to add to their prior training, can take courses at proprietary schools approved by Department of Education and their respective licensing board and or with the continuing educational division of vocational schools. Apprentices also may take courses at community colleges to use apprenticeship as a bridge to their future! Please check with local community colleges for trade related programs in your area. These programs provide pathways to higher education for apprentices.

Deciding your direction is never easy and only you can make the decision. Check it out today. The future starts now! Here are some considerations to help you chart your course.
Is Apprenticeship for You?

Here are some ways to find out:
Speak with a teacher, school counselor, friend, or family member in the professional who knows you and the fields in which you may pursue an apprenticeship.
Review your Educational Proficiency Plan or transcript from high school. Notice how the apprenticeship fields that you are interested relate to your strengths and areas needing improvement. Do you have the technical credit and/or proficiency you need to pursue an apprenticeship? Do you have a plan to acquire proficiency? How many of your credits might be applicable toward the field you would like to enter?
Consider your support network for helping you achieve proficiency. Do you have a tutor, or know how to get one? Do you know which school you would like to attend for further training?
Find a potential sponsor (employer) either through a union or through a local company in one of the apprenticed occupations. Sign-up for interviews and complete applications. Ask family and friends for leads. Persevere no matter what.
Review the catalog from one of the local continuing educational programs at a vocational high school or at one of the local community colleges in an area of your interest.
Be prepared to have several choices in case you don’t get your first choice and be ready to wait for an opening.
Have a back up plan while you are waiting (a combination of volunteering and working in a similar field) for a sponsor.

These steps do not need to happen sequentially. Sometimes apprentices meet sponsors during or after training as a result of their schooling.
Ask yourselves these questions:
Do I want to make a commitment of 2-5 years of working and going to school?
Do I have the interest in this subject area? (Have I spent time doing something similar to base my opinion on?)
How do I feel when I tell people “I am interested in doing an apprenticeship?”

If the answer to these questions is “yes” and you feel positively about telling others about your interest, please act on the steps listed above and Good Luck!!