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NEXT STEPS: APPRENTICESHIP

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WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP?

  • Paid training under an experienced person
  • Typically in the skilled trades
  • Includes a certain number of hours of classroom instruction
  • When completed, apprenticeships lead to a journeyman card and increased wage

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APPRENTICESHIPS WITH RCC

  • Airframe/Power Plant
  • Boiler Operator
  • Electrician (several types)
  • HVAC
  • Machinist
  • Carpentry
  • Millwright

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OTHER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS IN JACKSON/JOSEPHINE/KLAMATH COUNTIES

  • Plumbing (variety of types)
  • Electrician (variety of types)
  • Medical Assistant
  • Gas Servicer
  • Alcohol/Drug Counselor
  • Masonry (variety of types)
  • Heavy Equipment Operator
  • Carpenter
  • Firefighter
  • Air Frame/Power Mechanic

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UNION OR NON-UNION?

UNION

  • Requires membership for program
  • Wage and benefits are collectively bargained and guaranteed
  • Harder to get into

NON-UNION

  • Wage set by employer
  • Employer may offer benefits at their discretion
  • More openings

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COST

  • Classroom training does have a cost
  • Financial aid may be available
  • Employer may pay for classroom training

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TIME

  • Different programs require a different number of work hours
  • Different programs require a different number of classroom hours
  • May take between 1 and 3 years to complete the whole program

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PROGRAM APPLICATION

  • Different for each program
  • Some programs open only periodically; others accept applications on a rolling basis
  • Some programs rank applicants; others use a lottery system
  • Prepare for an interview
  • Requires passing Algebra II with a B or higher!

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FINDING PROGRAMS

  • Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry (BOLI) has a list of approved pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs
  • When you find a program, research the requirements and timelines carefully; late or incomplete applications are not accepted
  • Contact the apprenticeship program coordinator if you have questions

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IMPROVING CHANCES – RANKED APPLICATION

  • Take relevant CTE courses/experiences in high school
    • Example: If you want to be an electrician, take construction courses
    • Complete the NCRC WorkKeys Exam; See your Future Center for info
  • Apply for relevant jobs to gain job experience
    • Many applicants to apprenticeship programs are adults with job experience already!
    • You can’t be an electrician right out of high school, but you could get a job in construction
  • Complete a pre-apprenticeship program
    • Medford School District’s MPACT program is one pre-apprenticeship program
    • Pre-apprenticeship isn’t a guarantee of acceptance, but may give you more points

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

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