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Apprenticeship - A Smart Business Investment

Apprenticeship is a way to learn that includes both hands-on training at work and classroom lessons. It helps workers learn skills for important jobs. Groups like employers and labor unions support apprenticeship programs.

The goal is to encourage industries to make better training programs so they have skilled workers who can compete well in the world's economy. 

Registration and Standards

Registered Apprenticeships (RAs) help train and prepare employees for jobs that need workers with special knowledge and skills. There are RAs in the building trades, construction, telecommunications and manufacturing industries, and many more.

The DOL Office of Apprenticeship registers training programs that follow certain good practices. To become an apprentice, you need to complete at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training with experienced workers. Also, every year you have to attend around 144 hours of classroom instruction from a qualified program. As you learn and improve, your wages will increase.

If you need help registering for an apprenticeship training program with the DOL Office of Apprenticeship, contact our ApprenticeshipTexas team at apprenticeshiptexas@twc.texas.gov.

How Registered Apprenticeship Training Works

When you want to train an apprentice, both you and your employee must agree to certain terms in an apprenticeship agreement. The agreement explains what the apprentice and employer should do. An experienced certified journeyworker will teach the apprentice practical skills following the trade standards. You also need to keep track of the apprentice's working hours and pay them a specific wage set by the industry.

Funding an Apprenticeship Program

To get funds, the apprenticeship training programs and the apprentices need to register with the DOL Office of Apprenticeship. If you are an employer and want to know about funding for classroom instruction for adults in RA programs, contact the Texas Workforce Commission at apprenticeshiptexas@twc.texas.gov.

State Resources