Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is one of the oldest methods of job training. This method is an industry-driven education and career training program based on recognized industry standards. It is a means by which employers address current and projected employment needs. This program is a partnership among business, industry, education, North Carolina Department of Labor (DOL), parents and youth apprentices.
Some apprenticeship characteristics are:
- Use of a skilled journeyman to help instruct the apprentice.
- Combination of classroom-related instruction with structured work-based learning.
- Employment by an employer who has a direct need for trainees in the occupation.
- Incremental pay scale that increases with skill and knowledge development.
- Training of a highly skilled technician or craft person.
- Appropriate for occupations that do not require a college degree but require a high level of skill and knowledge.
- Registration by the North Carolina Department of Labor, Apprenticeship and Training Division. The Division provides free assistance to the employer and to the apprentice and certifies both the training program and the newly trained journeyman.
- Application of high school apprenticeship hours and experience toward an adult apprenticeship leading to a completed journeyman certificate.
- On-the-job training for each year of participation during high school. The high school student can begin when he/she turns 16 years of age and is part of the high school apprenticeship program. For additional information, refer to North Carolina State Board of Education Policies for work-based learning methods receiving academic credit.
High School Apprenticeships differ from regular apprenticeships. The big difference is that you can start at an earlier age (16 vs. 18), and you can operate equipment that regular workers cannot operate at that age.
What's the difference between an apprenticeship and an internship?
If you are interested in learning more about the apprenticeship program, please see the Career Development Coordinator (CDC) at your high school.
Who does What?
The student selects a mentor, a certified school staff person, who will:
- give career counseling and guidance to the apprentice throughout the high school portion of the apprenticeship.
- evaluate the apprenticeship program and award credit toward high school graduation
- maintain contact with the parents or guardian throughout the apprenticeship program.
The Career Development Coordinator (CDC) will ensure that the program outlined by the NC Department of Labor is being followed, and that all paperwork is being completed.
More responsibilities can be found in the Apprenticeship Brochure (PDF 140KB).
Information from the NC Department of Public Instruction
Apprenticeship & Training Bureau - Department of Public Instruction web page for high school apprenticeships.
Apprenticeship Brochure (PDF 140KB) - A brochure from the NC Department of Public Instruction about high school apprenticeships.
Information from the NC Department of Labor
Apprenticeship & Training Bureau - Department of Labor web page for all Apprenticeships.
Apprenticeship Information For Students - Department of Labor web page for Student Apprenticeships.
Standards of Apprenticeship (PDF 26KB). - This is the document that clearly defines the apprenticeship program.
Apprenticeship Handbook (PDF 3.6 MB) - A handbook from the NC Department of Labor about high school apprenticeships.
Apprenticeable Occupations (Excel 140 KB). - This document is the official list of over 900 occupations that can be apprenticed.
Starting an Apprenticeship
First contact the CDC (Career Development Coordinator) at your school. They will get you started. Your CDC will contact the Department of Labor to get things started. In this area, our NC Department of Labor Contact is Melissa Medlin, 919/562-4946.
Wake County Public School System programs are staffed and offered without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, political affiliation, or disability.