## Get paid to train with a mentor, classroom instruction, and a nationally recognized credential. Registered Apprenticeships are real jobs with a training plan: you earn a wage from day one, learn on the job with a mentor, and complete short classes that lead to a portable credential. If you want a debt-free path into a solid career, this is one of the most reliable ways to do it. In , , income limits, copays, and waitlists can differ—watch for -specific callouts to follow the right steps.Some details vary by state—watch for local notes as you go.

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Apply for unemployment
Unemployment contacts — ,

## Tools & links worth saving for your apprenticeship search - **Apprenticeship Job Finder (official):** Search openings on Apprenticeship.gov. - **American Job Center (AJC):** Get free help with applications, résumé edits, and interview prep; ask about supportive services for tools, boots, transit, or child care. - **State apprenticeship office:** Check your state’s sponsor list, entrance requirements, and testing or age rules. - **Community colleges & training providers:** Ask about **pre-apprenticeship** paths that strengthen your application and may cover class costs. - **Union halls & trade associations:** Many trades recruit directly; visit in person to ask about entry windows and aptitude tests. - **Employer career sites + alerts:** Apply with large local employers and set job alerts so you’re first in line when cohorts open. ## Progressive wages, class hours, and schedules: what “earn while you learn” really looks like A Registered Apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job learning with short “related instruction” and guaranteed raises as you build skills. *Example:* a first-year electrician apprentice might start near 40–60% of the journey wage and receive scheduled bumps each 6–12 months as competencies are signed off. - **On-the-job learning (OJL).** Time-based programs commonly use **~2,000 hours of OJL per year**; hybrid and competency-based programs blend hours with skill sign-offs. - **Related instruction (class).** Programs **recommend ~144 hours of class per year**, often evenings or online; some award college credit toward a certificate or degree. - **Wage progression is required.** Standards include a **progressively increasing wage schedule**—your pay rises as you hit training milestones. - **Mentorship.** You train under a qualified journeyworker who signs off when you’re proficient on specific tasks. - **Keep records.** Save pay stubs and class transcripts; you’ll need them if you switch employers or request credit for prior experience. - **Completion = credential.** Finishing earns a **nationally recognized credential** that many employers treat like a journey card. How to Apply for Unemployment and Get Back to Work ## WIOA can cover books, tools, and other supports—how it connects to apprenticeships Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs at your AJC can co-enroll apprentices to reduce out-of-pocket costs. *Scenario:* a parent starting a medical assistant apprenticeship gets help paying for scrubs, exam fees, and bus passes while attending evening classes. - **Eligible training.** Registered Apprenticeship counts as a qualifying training option for adults, dislocated workers, and youth. - **Supportive services.** Depending on your situation and local policy, WIOA can help with **books, supplies, tools, uniforms, child care, and transportation** so you can stay on track. - **Co-enrollment.** You can receive AJC job-search help *and* apprenticeship wages while getting training funds or supports. - **Ask early.** Meet with an AJC career navigator before you start to build an **Individual Employment Plan** and avoid delays. - **Bring proof.** Offer letter, class schedule, estimated costs, and income documentation help your case move faster. - **Stay eligible.** Keep up with any required check-ins and submit receipts promptly so supports don’t pause mid-program.

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FAQs for ,

## FAQs ### How long does a registered apprenticeship take? Most last **1–4 years**, depending on the occupation and whether your program is time-based, hybrid, or competency-based. Expect regular raises as you hit milestones. ### Do I have to pay tuition? You’re paid for your work hours. Some programs charge modest class fees, but workforce programs can often help with **books, tools, uniforms, or transit** if you qualify. ### Can I switch employers mid-program? Sometimes. You’ll need your progress records (OJL hours, competencies, and class transcripts). A new sponsor can grant credit so you don’t start over. --- ###### References

Apprenticeship.gov — What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program?
Apprenticeship.gov — Apprenticeship Job Finder
29 CFR 29.5 — Standards of Apprenticeship (wage progression, OJL, related instruction)
TEGL 13-16 — Registered Apprenticeship and WIOA (training & supportive services)
TEGL 21-22 — Increasing Equitable Service Access (WIOA training guidance)
DOL Blog — Registered Apprenticeship: Earn While You Learn (retention and starting salary)
BLS — Wages for occupations that typically require apprenticeship (2023)

Posts tagged with: trade careers

Registered Apprenticeships: Earn While You Learn and Get Paid Training