Apprenticeship
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Apprenticeship Programs: Earn and Learn

Employers: Interested in establishing a Registered Apprenticeship?

Receive a financial incentive of up to $1,000 to companies who qualify! Oakland Community College collaborates with area businesses and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Apprenticeship to establish apprenticeship programs to meet talent needs. For more details, please contact Cameron Albring by email or phone at 248.232.4274. 

What is an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship is a talent development strategy that combines on-the-job learning (OJL), related instruction (RI), and mentorship to train individuals to be experts in their field. Apprentices often start an apprenticeship with little or no experience in their chosen occupation.  Apprenticeship spans more than 1100 occupations including careers in manufacturing, health care, cyber security, information technology, financial services, transportation, culinary, hospitality, and energy. 

What is Registered Apprenticeship?

Registered Apprenticeships are apprenticeship programs that are well-defined and documented, and are approved by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).  The DOL has been overseeing and registering apprentices in the US for nearly one hundred years.  Registered Apprenticeships are employer-driven and sponsored. A company or union/labor organization sponsoring a Registered Apprenticeship Program determines whom they will employ, and apprentice.

All high-quality Registered Apprenticeship programs consist of five core components.

  1. Employer Designed and Driven
  2. Structured On-the-Job Learning (OJL)
  3. Related Instruction (RI)
  4. Wage Progression
  5. National Credential 

Is Apprenticeship a job?

Yes! Apprenticeship is an “earn and learn” model – apprentices start working and earning wages from the first day on the job.  Apprentices obtain paid, on-the-job learning (OJL), related instruction (RI), and a DOL certificate of completion or journeyperson card, both which are a nationally-recognized, portable credential demonstrating an apprentice's mastery of chosen occupation that is widely understood in business and industry. 

What is the length of a Registered Apprenticeship?

Depending on the occupation, Registered Apprenticeships lasts from one to six years. For each year of the registered apprenticeship, the apprentice typically receives 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning (OJL) and 144 hours of related instruction (RI) in college classes. A majority of apprenticeships last four years in length. 


Available Apprenticeship Programs:

Oakland Community College in cooperation with local employers, offers the required related instruction (RI) for apprentices, advises and approves the apprentices sequence of courses to ensure compliance with apprenticeship standards for the occupation and company.  Upon completion of a defined apprenticeship program, apprentices are encouraged to apply for certificates and degrees from Oakland Community College. 

Please note, employee-in-training (EIT) programs (non-apprentice) are also available for employers. To aid employers in planning the sequence of courses for their Apprenticeship program, there are curricular outlines for the following apprentice occupations:

  • Machinist
  • CNC Machinist/Programmer/Operator
  • Electrical Technician
  • Maintenance Technician
  • Welder/Welder-Fitter
  • HVAC/R Technician
  • Automotive Mechanic
  • Mechatronics Technician
  • Metal Model Maker/Die Maker/Pattern Maker
  • CAD Designer
  • Mechanical Engineering Technician
  • Installation Technician
  • Electrician
  • Robotics Technician
  • Drafter
  • Find more Approved Apprenticeship Occupations

Over the next 5 years, 37% of Michigan's Job Growth will be via education and training programs live ApprenticeshipsMichigan Ranks 8th in the nation with over 14,000 apprenticeshipsMichigan has 1,181 Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeship Student

Apprenticeship Student