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Are you an employer? A veteran? A student? Or are you an employed person seeking advancement, an unemployed worker or a dislocated worker seeking more information about Apprenticeship and on-the-job training (OJT) programs?
The information below and at the "FAQ links" at left may be of assistance to you.
What is apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a formal system of employee training that combines on-the-job
training with related technical instruction. It is designed to produce
craft-workers that are fully competent in all aspects of an occupation,
including: knowledge, skill and proficiency on the job. With apprenticeship
training, there is a written contract between the apprentice and the sponsor,
approved by and registered with the state of Minnesota, that specifies the
length of the training, school hours, an outline of the skills of the trade to
be learned and the wages the apprentice will receive.
Minnesota's apprenticeship program allows employers to design their own
apprenticeship program which provides apprentices with specific skills, training
and job-related instruction tailored to the company's needs.
When did Minnesota's apprenticeship program begin? How many
apprentices have participated in a registered program?
The federal government recognized the need for states to have trained and
skilled workers and subsequently approved the Minnesota Apprenticeship Program
submitted in 1939. Upon approval by the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship, the
state of Minnesota conducted its first Apprenticeship Advisory Council (now
Apprenticeship Board) meeting on Sept. 18, 1939, chaired by Dr. C.A. Prosser of
the Dunwoody Institute.
Since that time, more than 110,000 apprentices have been registered in Minnesota
and thousands of large and small businesses have trained them to meet the needs
of the company as well as to provide highly skilled, high-wage jobs for the
apprentices.
Is there a shortage of skilled workers in Minnesota?
In all skilled occupations, employers are becoming greatly concerned about the
shortage of job candidates with the necessary skills and abilities.
How many occupations have apprentice training programs?
There are roughly 105 occupations training in excess of 10,500 apprentices. See
the Apprenticeship Training Program Memo for a list of Minnesota occupations.
What types of companies have apprenticeship programs?
A variety of types and sizes of companies have apprenticeship programs.
Construction, manufacturing, transportation and the printing trades benefit
greatly from apprenticeship programs. In fact, without a continuous flow of
apprentices becoming skilled journey workers, quality industrial standards would
be severely affected. Recently, apprenticeship programs have been developed for
Child Care Development Specialist, Administrative Support Services, Accounting
Clerk, Hazardous Waste Technician, Low-voltage System Installer, Experimental
Machinist and Refuse Derived Fuel Processor positions, to name a few.
With few exceptions, any business that requires highly skilled employees -- from
a small two-person business to the largest corporations -- can benefit from
apprenticeship.
What are the requirements for entry into the apprenticeship program?
A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required for apprentice applicants. Math,
science and industrial technical courses are especially helpful in being
considered for an apprenticeship.
I need more information about apprenticeship, what do I do?
Please contact the Apprenticeship unit through any of the following methods:
Filing a complaint