I want to Become an Apprentice/Pre-Apprentice

Do You Want to Become an Apprentice?

Apprenticeships are a learn-while-you-earn approach to career development through which individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. They provide on-ramps to rewarding and family-sustaining careers, without the burden of debt that traditional 4-year programs bring.

The Basics

Registered Apprenticeship (RA) is a structured education and training program that takes place in the workplace and includes formal on-the-job training (OJT) and classroom-based, related technical instruction (RTI). An apprentice is a full-time, paid employee of the sponsoring organization from the start of the program. An apprenticeship must include at least 2,000 hours of OJT and a required 144 hours of RTI, but many programs last for four or more years.

An apprenticeship is not an internship, nor is it a short-term training program. Apprentices work full-time and are paid a wage that is subject to minimum wage regulations, but may begin below that of incumbent worker. As the apprentice hits milestones such as completing a certain number of program hours or demonstrating job competencies, their wages increase according to the agreement signed by the employer and the apprentice at the beginning of the program.

Become an Apprentice

The Benefits of Registered Apprenticeship

Registered Apprenticeship allows individuals to earn a nationally industry-recognized credential while still earning a paycheck. Unlike traditional postsecondary education programs that are designed to prepare students for any number of careers and generally focus more on theory than practice, apprenticeship is designed by and for the employer and is highly specialized to meet the unique needs of a specific job. Because apprentices learn primarily in the workplace, they are trained using the same state-of-the-art equipment that they will use on the job. Moreover, they will be instructed and mentored by skilled workers who have done the job the apprentice is training to do and who will ensure that apprentices are acculturated to workplace norms and expectations.

How to Get Started

Use the search feature below to search for Registered Apprenticeship programs in your region that are available to potentially fund apprentices with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding. If a program does not appear through this search feature and you believe should, ask that the Program Sponsor reach out to Apprenticeship@pa.gov to request to be added.

Your local PA CareerLink® office will be able to connect you to apprenticeship opportunities, and may be able to provide additional funding and other resources to support your apprenticeship training. To learn more, visit your local PA CareerLink®.

Resources

RA & Pre-RA for Job Seekers- Quick Guide
Provides an overview of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs for job seekers.
Apprenticeship for Veterans- Quick Guide
Provides an overview of how veteran jobseekers access apprenticeship, the benefits, and how the GI BIll can be used to support during a program.
Job Seeker Liaison Quick Guide
Guide for job seekers and those that work with job seekers and bridging connections to Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs, providing benefits of apprenticeships, and guidance on available funding options for apprenticeship programs. Guide is a resource to connect with the Job Seeker Liaison to request apprenticeship information in your area for job seekers, Workforce Development Staff, educators, and educational organizations.
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs in PA
The official list of currently registered pre-apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania, including organization and contact information.

Do You Want to Become a Pre-Apprentice?

If you need to learn some additional skills before qualifying for a Registered Apprenticeship program, a pre-apprenticeship program might be for you! They provide foundation skills that employers are looking for, and are linked to existing Registered Apprenticeship programs.

The Basics

Pre-apprenticeship programs are designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenceship program, and ultimately a career. They can be delivered by a range of entities including employers, community-based orgranizations, high schools, labor organizations, workforce agencies, or community colleges. For educational institutions, the programs are often integrated directly into their exisiting curriculum and structure. Pre-apprenticeship programs are linked with exisiting apprenticeships programs and provide the instruction, preparation, and supports to advance participants to apprenticeship programs or other careers.

The Benefits of Pre-Apprenticeship

Pre-apprenticeship programs expands participants’ career pathway opportunities with industry-based training and classroom instruction, preparing individuals to enter and succeed in registered apprenticeships.

Pre-apprenticeship training is a great way for participants to:
  • Explore and learn about exciting careers.
  • Qualify to meet the minimum standards for selection to a registered apprenticeship program.
  • Benefit from classroom and technology-based training.
  • Build the literacy, math, English, and work-readiness skills employers desire.
  • Gain advanced standing in partnered registered apprenticeship programs.
Become a Pre-Apprentice

How to Get Started

If looking for more information on how to connect with the right Registered Apprenticeship or Pre-apprenticeship program, the Apprenticeship and Training Office’s Job Seeker Liaison can assist. To connect, please, reach out to the office’s resource account at Apprenticeship@pa.gov and request to be connected with the Job Seeker Liaison.

More than a thousand programs have already been apprenticed and registered in industries including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation & logistics, information technology, and the building trades in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Qualification and selection procedures for Registered Apprenticeships are defined by the Registered Apprenticeship Program Sponsor in accordance with employer and industry needs/guidelines. If looking to apply to a program, the program sponsor should be reached out to for more information. If looking for a full listing of Registered Apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania which include Program Sponsor contact information, please, reach out to Apprenticeship@pa.gov and request one. Additionally, please, reach out to Pre-Ra@pa.gov to request a full listing of all registered Pre-apprenticeship programs.

Funding Opportunities

Registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships have access to a growing number of federal and state funding programs that can support your training, including the GI Bill (which provides supplemental support to veterans engaged in apprenticeship), Pell Grants (which can cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies) and the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (which may provide wage reimbursements to the employers or wrap around services for apprentices). The PA Department of Labor & Industry also makes supports apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs through its PAsmart and Apprenticeship State Expansion (ASE) funding initiatives. Please refer to the resources below for the latest opportunities.

Resources

Funding for Apprenticeships- Quick Guide
Provides an overview of funding resources available for apprenticeship programs in PA.
Federal Resources Playbook for Registered Apprenticeship
This quick guide provides information for companies, employers, labor, apprenticeship sponsors, educators, workforce professionals, intermediaries and community-based organizations on using Federal funds and resources to support registered apprenticeship.

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