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Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson invites and encourages you to learn more about apprenticeship opportunities in Oakland County and elsewhere.  As an apprentice, you can prepare yourself for numerous jobs in the skilled trades and other occupations, including the health field.  The information on this page answers questions you may have about the Apprenticeship System and provides links to various websites that provides more information about specific apprenticeships.  We hope you find it useful as you explore the tremendous career opportunities that are available through the Apprenticeship System.

What is an apprenticeship?  An apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction through which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation.  Apprenticeship programs can be sponsored by individual employers, joint employer and labor groups, and/or employer associations.

In what occupations are apprenticeships available?  More than 860
occupations are approved for apprenticeships.  Some of the more common ones include Auto Mechanic, Auto Body Repair, Machinist, Plumber, Pipe Fitter, Tool & Die Maker, Carpenter, Electrician, Mold Maker, Electronics Technician, Heating & Air Conditioning, and Sheet Metal.

How long is an apprenticeship?  Most programs require four years and at least 2,576 hours to complete.  2,000 hours are devoted to on-the-job work experience under the supervision of a journey level craft person or a trade professional.  576 hours of related classroom instruction are provided at a community college or apprenticeship schools.

Does an apprentice earn wages?   Because an individual must be a full-time or near full-time employee of the company to which he/she is apprenticed, he/she will earn a wage.  Usually, the wage scale begins at 40%-50% of a journeyperson’s rate and increases as the apprentice satisfactorily completes work and training segments.  Near the end of the apprenticeship, the pay ranges from 90%-95% of the full journeyperson’s rate.

What are entrance requirements for an apprenticeship?  Most apprentices must be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.  Strong math and reading skills (11^th grade level, at a minimum) are essential.

Can high school students enter an apprenticeship?  High school students who are at least 16 years of age can enroll in a school-to-registered apprenticeship program.  These students work for an employer during the summer between the junior and senior years.  During their senior year, they work part-time for the employer.  After graduating, the apprentice becomes a full-time employee and continues his/her education at a community college or an apprenticeship school.

What credentials does an individual earn through an apprenticeship?  When he/she successfully completes an apprenticeship, an individual will receive from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) a Certificate of Completion that is recognized throughout the United States.  If a labor union sponsors the apprenticeship, a successful completer will receive a journeyperson’s card, which guarantees him/her excellent wages and benefits anywhere in the United States.

How does an individual become an apprentice?  Two apprenticeship pathways are available.  Apprenticeships that are created through a partnership between a labor organization and an employer require a person to apply through a Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC).  Some JACs will accept applications only from current employees (e.g., assembly workers).  Other JACs will permit external candidates to apply.  Both internal and external candidates must pass a test, and those with higher scores are hired first.  The second apprenticeship pathway is through a partnership between a community college and an employer.  An individual obtains a job with an employer who offers an apprenticeship and enrolls at a community college that provides the related instruction.

Where can I learn more about occupations that offer apprenticeships? - At this site, you can search over 400 occupations and get information about job duties, salaries/wages, education or training requirements, employment outlook, career ladders, related occupations and much, much more. Simply click on a menu item, select a job title from the drop-down list and click on "Go."   Be sure to check out all the links in the chart on the last page.

What is the best way to become an apprentice?   The best way to get into an apprenticeship program is by taking related courses through a community college or through employment with an employer sponsor.  Since most employers fill their apprenticeship opportunities with internal candidates, informational interviews with employer sponsors or community college apprenticeship coordinators is a good place to start.  

Where can I find employer sponsored Apprenticeship opportunities and employers in Oakland County? This site can help job seekers find apprenticeship opportunities and sponsors in Oakland and other counties in Michigan.  

Where can I find a list of Community Colleges involved in Apprenticeship programs?   This site will give you access to various community colleges, a list of the apprenticeship training classes they offer, and information on whom to contact (Apprenticeship Coordinator) to get more information. 

Where can I find union sponsored apprenticeships?  This site give you access to various greater Detroit area unionized construction apprentice schools training in Asbestos Workers, Boilermakers, Bricklayer & Allied Craftworkers, Carpenters/Floor Layers/Lathers, Cement Masons, Drywall Finishers, Electrical Workers, Elevator Constructors, Glaziers & Glassworkers, Iron Workers, Laborers, Millwrights, Operating Engineers, Painters, Pipe Fitters, Plasterers, Plumbers, Roofers & Waterproofers, Sheet Metal Workers, Sprinkler Fitters, and Tile, Marble & Terrazzo Masons.

Where can I find other Apprenticeship training schools?  Sorted by occupation, this site also gives you a list of schools and their addresses and contact information so you can further explore apprenticeship training opportunities in these fields.

Other Useful Apprenticeship Links

Other Useful  Employment and Training Links