Discover Apprenticeship

A proven solution for your workforce 

As an employer, you are driven to help move your company forward. To do that, you actively seek bold, new ideas and solutions to everyday challenges like talent recruitment and retention.  Apprenticeship programs are a proven solution to creating and retaining a pipeline of specialized talent that allows businesses like yours to succeed today!

What is 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 (anchor to list at bottom of page). Apprenticeship spans more than 1100 occupations including careers in manufacturing, health care, cyber security, information technology, financial services, transportation, culinary, hospitality, and energy.

There are five core components  of a Registered Apprenticeship Program. These components differentiate apprenticeships from other types of workforce training programs in several ways:

  1. Employer Designed and Driven - employers are the foundation of every apprenticeship program
  2. Structured On-the-Job Learning (OJL) - apprentices receive on-the-job training from an experienced mentor or journeyperson
  3. Related Instruction (RI) - community college, university or any approved training provider. Apprenticeships combine on-the-job learning with related instruction at community colleges, technical schools, or apprenticeship training schools – or provided on-line or at the job site
  4. Wage Progression - apprentices receive increases in wages as they gain higher level skills
  5. National Credential or Journeyperson Card - apprenticeship programs result in a U.S. DOL nationally-recognized credential – a 100% guarantee to employers that apprentices are fully qualified for the job
Benefits to Employers
  • Highly skilled employees
  • Reduced turnover costs
  • Lower investment in recruitment
  • Higher productivity
  • More diverse workforce

               Improves Access to Stare & Federal resources for Talent Development     Increased Employee Retention: 94% of Apprentices Stay with Their Employer After Graduation    ROI: Employers See A $1.47 For Every $1 Invested

Create your future workforce, improve productivity, and reduce turn-over with a high-quality apprenticeship program.

How does my business start an apprenticeship program? 

Explore Apprenticeship

Learn about the benefits of apprenticeship across industries and geographies, view how others have leveraged apprenticeship as a talent solution, and discover more about successful apprenticeship programs.

Start Creating a Program

Connect with apprenticeship experts using the Partner Finder to help design and register your program, determine the right model for your organization, build strong partnerships, and obtain resources to create, sustain, and expand your apprenticeship program.

Promote Your Apprenticeship Program

Use the Apprenticeship Finder to list your open apprenticeship positions to make sure the right job seekers find your program, connect with partners to enhance the core components of your program, and leverage competency-based frameworks to expand your program to other occupations.

Apprenticeships Can Improve Your Bottom Line
  • Employment – Apprenticeship is a job, so job seekers enter employment when they begin an apprenticeship program.
  • Retention – Apprenticeship programs have high retention rates 94% of apprentices retain employment after the program ends.
  • Return on Investment - Apprenticeships can generate a return on investment of 10%-30%.
  • Earnings – Average starting apprentice wage is $16.00 per hour in Michigan.  Graduates earn an average of $70,000 per year.
  • Credential Attainment – All apprentices earn a national-recognized credential or journeyperson card.
  • Measurable Skill Gains – This interim progress measure supports multiple opportunities for a positive outcome (e.g., completion of 1st year of on-the-job learning).

Several funding options are available for companies participating in Registered Apprenticeship, including state, federal and local programs. Funding for apprentices may also be available through the GI Bill® for Veterans, as well as Pell Grants or scholarship funds. These can be applied toward instruction, as well as leveraged for other portions of the program.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.

While many apprenticeships focus on new talent, the programs can also be applied to current or incumbent employees as means to improve or build upon existing labor skills.

Apprenticeship Industries

Apprenticeship is a flexible training model that can be customized to meet the needs of businesses across multiple industries. Some industries with apprenticeship programs include:

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Information Technology
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • Cybersecurity
  • Energy
  • Engineering
  • Transportation
  • Construction
  • Financial Services