Employer

• What is an apprenticeship?

  Modern apprenticeship is a workforce recruitment and development solution that offers employers a cost-effective way to attract, train, and retain middle-skill talent.

  Apprenticeships are mostly known in the skilled trades. But, the modernization of apprenticeship systems is a way to help employers solve middle-skill workforce shortages. Middle-skill jobs, which require education beyond high school but not a four-year degree, make up the largest part of the labor market in the United States.

  Middle-skill jobs account for 53 percent of the United States’ labor market, but only 43 percent of the country’s workers are trained to the middle-skill level. Modern Apprenticeships are a way to help fill that growing workforce gap.

• How would an apprenticeship program benefit our company?

  Registered Apprenticeship programs help businesses develop highly-skilled employees, reduce turnover rates, increase productivity and lower the cost of recruitment. Additional benefits include:

  • Customized training that meets industry standards, tailored to the specific needs of businesses, resulting in highly-skilled employees.
  • Increased knowledge transfer through on-the-job learning from an experienced mentor, combined with education courses to support work-based learning.
  • Enhanced employee retention: 91% of those completing an apprenticeship are still employed nine months later.
  • A stable and reliable pipeline of qualified workers.
  • A systematic approach to training that ensures employees are trained and certified to produce at the highest skill levels required for the occupation.
  • Businesses may qualify for state-based tax credits available for apprenticeship program sponsors. Workforce systems and other community partners may also choose to contribute funding for training, supplies or other aspects of apprenticeship programs. These benefits reduce an employer’s investment in apprenticeship training costs.

• Can I Hire an Apprentice as a Contractor?

  Apprentices can be hired as contractors, subject to the requirements of the Registered Apprenticeship Standard which you will adopt by signing the Employer Acceptance Agreement. Specifically:

  • The term of the contract must be for a period of 12 months. At the end of 12 months you may choose to retain the apprentice as an employee subject to your specific hiring practices.
  • The apprentice should be eligible for benefits consistent with your employment practices for this class of employee. • A 90 day probationary period is contained within the apprenticeship standard (p.4 Section F). Beyond 90 days, a decision to terminate employment should be consistent with your specific business practices.
  • Apprentices must be paid a progressively increasing schedule of wages based on the journeyworker wages for your organization. Journeyworker wages are defined as the wages that your company typically pays an employee competent in the skills outlined in Appendix A and one year of experience on the job. Most employers hire the apprentices outright as W-2 employees, but there are some that bring apprentices on as contractors if this is typical for this type and level of job opening. Additionally, in some cases we have seen employers leverage a staffing firm where this is a standard business practice.

• How is apprenticeship different from other types of work-based training?

  In most jobs people are hired for the skills they’ve already acquired, in apprenticeships they are hired for the skills they will acquire – at a reduced wage that will increase as they gain competency.

  Apprentices take classes while they are working, combining technical knowledge with on the job learning. At the end of the apprenticeship, apprentices earn industry-recognized certifications and a nationally recognized credential from the U.S. Department of Labor.

• How long are registered apprenticeship programs?

  Typically 12 or 18 months.

Apprentices

• What is an apprenticeship?

  An apprenticeship is a way to learn competitive skills by combining education with hands-on training. Apprentices are paid positions that give you long term, real-time experience that ties directly back to the education you are receiving.

• Is an apprenticeship a job?

  Yes, an apprenticeship is a job. Apprentices start working when they enter an apprenticeship, with steady wage increases as they become more proficient.

• What hourly wage should I expect?

  Employers set compensation based on the current wage for fully-skilled workers. Apprentices receive reduced wages that increase as competence is achieved. Typical first year apprentice wages equal 75% of a fully skilled worker wage.

• Why would I want to consider an apprenticeship

  Benefits of your apprenticeship include:

  • Earning a competitive income while you are learning
  • Acquiring skills and knowledge that will help you gain your qualifications faster
  • Enjoying the support of mentors, peers, and educators
  • Establishing a rewarding career path

• What education does an apprentice receive?

  During an apprenticeship, you will receive structured, on-the-job training. You will also receive job-related technical and professional skills training that is delivered via instructor-led live online, self-paced online, in a classroom or through a combination of methods. Franklin Apprenticeships provides each apprentice with a professional Success Coach to manage and monitor your accomplishments and goals.

• Can I earn credentials and/or a degree during my apprenticeship?

  Yes. Apprentices can earn industry-recognized credentials and can receive college credits towards an associate or bachelor’s degree.

• How does apprenticeship differ from an internship?

  While both programs offer hands-on learning, there are vast differences between an internship and an apprenticeship.  Internships are short-term and often a competitive bonus to college grads looking for a job and but an apprenticeship is longer-term commitment with training and a job. 91% of apprentices stay with their employers after program completion. Plus, apprentices earn a “living wage”, which is often significantly more than interns.

  Apprenticeships are available in technology roles, including Help Desk Technician Level 1, Network Engineer, Enterprise Computing Application Developer and Enterprise Computing System Administrator. Coming soon: Software Developer, Robotics Technician Level II and III, Data Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst.

• What is the average starting wage for an apprentice? What about working hours, raises, benefits and vacation time?

  The starting wage varies by employer, occupation and geography. Wage increases are specific to roles and are earned as apprentices become more proficient and earn additional certifications.  Actual working hours are determined by your employer but a 40-hour week is typical during regular business hours. As a full-time employee, you are entitled to the employer’s standard vacation/PTO and benefits package.

• Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

  We welcome recent grads, career changers, military veterans, or those returning to the workforce after time away. All ages and experiences are encouraged to apply. There is no upper age limit. A high school degree or GED is required. Two- and four-year degrees are also welcomed. We include all backgrounds in our program.

• What types of apprenticeships are available?

  Apprenticeships are available in technology roles, including Help Desk, Mainframe and Network Engineer. Coming soon: Robotics.

• What time of year can I start and how long does it take?

  Apply for open positions at any time of the year. We start new hires and new classroom training every month. Generally, apprenticeships last 12 to 18 months.

• Do I have to pay to become an apprentice?

  These programs are no cost to you as an apprentice, and once you’re hired you’re a paid employee! All training and support costs are covered by both the employer and third-party funding sources. As the programs are partially paid for by third-party funding sources, you will be required to submit Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and may be required to visit your local job center.

• What are the basic program components of registered apprenticeship?

  There are five components to a typical registered apprenticeship program. These include:

  • Business Involvement Employers are the foundation of every apprenticeship program. They play an active role in building the program and remain involved in every step of the way. Employers frequently work together through apprenticeship councils, industry associations, or other partnerships to share the administrative tasks involved in maintaining apprenticeship programs.
  • Structured On-the-Job Training Apprenticeships include an on-the-job training (OJT) component. Apprentices receive hands-on training from an experienced mentor at the employer’s location. OJT focuses on the skills and knowledge an apprentice must learn during the program to be fully proficient on the job. This training is based on national industry standards, customized to the needs of the particular employer.
  • Related Instruction One of the unique aspects of an apprenticeship program is that it combines on-the-job learning with related instruction on the technical and academic competencies that apply to the job. Education partners collaborate with employers to develop the curriculum, which often incorporates established national-level skill standards. The related instruction may be provided by community colleges, technical schools, or apprenticeship training schools – or by the business itself. It can be delivered at a school, online, or at the employer’s location.
  • Rewards for Skill Gains Apprentices receive wages when they begin work, and receive pay increases as they meet benchmarks for skill attainment. This helps reward and motivate apprentices as they advance through their training.
  • Nationally-Recognized Credential Every graduate of a Registered Apprenticeship program receives a nationally-recognized credential. This is a portable credential that signifies to employers that apprentices are fully qualified for the job.

Pre-Apprentices

• What is a Pre-Apprenticeship?

  A pre-apprenticeship is a guided learning environment to pride quality training to individuals who want to pursue a new career path.  There is no experience required and it will make you a more competitive candidate in the job market and could lead to a full apprenticeship.

• What will it cost?

  These programs are no cost to you.  All training and support costs are covered by third-party funding sources.  As the programs are partially paid for by third-party funding sources, you will be required to submit Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and may be required to visit your local job center.

• How long will it take me to complete it?

  The courses will vary based on prior subject knowledge and aptitude for the learning material.   On average, the courses are 110 hours long.  The recommended completion time is 6-8 weeks.

• Do I receive any certifications when I complete the program?

  For all pre-apprenticeship programs you will receive IBM badges that you can post on your LinkedIn, add to your resume, and use to market yourself to employers.  The badges differ per pre-apprenticeship program.

• Will I receive a job once I complete the pre-apprenticeship?

  The IBM badges you’ll receive in the pre-apprenticeship program will make you a more competitive candidate in the job market and may lead to an interview and full apprenticeship with one of Franklin’s employers, however an interview with one of Franklin’s employers for a full apprenticeship is not guaranteed.