Apprenticeship is an employer-based program that helps workers learn specialized skills needed in today’s work environment, combining on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction. Students earn nationally recognized credentials, while employers develop a talented team and close the skills gap. While many people start apprenticeships immediately after graduating from high school, they may also work well for veterans leaving active-duty military service, those looking to change careers, or people whose jobs are being replaced by technology. CCC&TI’s goal is to help connect and support employers and apprentices.
Today’s apprenticeships cover a wide range of industries and occupations. Large and small companies across North Carolina and around the world use apprenticeship to train their employees and build a skilled workforce.
Pre-Apprenticeship is for high school students who have an interest in the specific field and want to work for the employer full- or part-time. The pre-apprentices are paid and are often offered full apprenticeships upon graduation from high school.
Registered or full apprenticeships are for students who have selected their career pathway and want to train in all aspects of the occupation as they work full- or part-time. Registered apprenticeships also provide a wage scale that increases based on experience and skills learned.
Apprenticeships are a great alternative pathway to a successful career. Benefits of apprenticeship include:
Not every student wants to immediately head off to a university to earn a 4-year degree. For students that prefer hands-on learning, want to go right to work, prefer to stay closer to family, or would like their education partly or fully paid for, apprenticeship can be the right choice. In some cases, employers pay for 100 percent of the training costs; in others, the community colleges work with employers to obtain grant funding that covers these costs.
We often have parents or guardians say apprenticeship sounds too good to be true. It’s not. Apprenticeship is a win-win for employers and students.
Most apprenticeships range from one to four years, with the apprentice earning a nationally recognized credential (or journeyperson’s certificate) after completing the program. The training programs are structured, with most programs including both hands-on and classroom education. Apprentices are paid for learning hours and work hours based on a scale that includes wage increases at specific achievement points.
Apprenticeship can play a valuable role in preparing high school students for future careers in a competitive economy. CCC&TI offers pre-apprenticeships that allow participants to explore an industry in the classroom or on the job before they decide to pursue a career. Participants who plan to pursue a registered apprenticeship with one of our local partners can also earn credits that carry over to their field of interest.
Students who start in a qualifying pre-apprenticeship program while in high school and enroll in a registered apprenticeship program within 120 days of graduation qualify for the youth apprenticeship tuition waiver at a North Carolina community college.
Trade-Up Pre-Apprenticeship Program for high school juniors and seniors ages 16 to 18 and recent graduates with an interest and aptitude for a career in construction-related skilled trades. For info, visit: www.cccti.edu/tradeup
For more information, complete the High School Apprenticeship Interest Form
Registered apprenticeship is a training program designed to meet the needs of the employer by providing the employee on-the-job training with progressive wage scale and the opportunity to pursuing a degree, diploma, certificate or other professional credential through CCC&TI.
Registered apprentices earn state and national credentials that is transferable across the United States (issued by the US Department of Labor)
For more information, complete the Registered Apprenticeship Interest Form
ApprenticeshipNC has one goal in mind: To help employers build a skilled workforce through on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction. Your ApprenticeshipNC team of dedicated consultants coordinate with your team and your local community college to develop a custom registered apprenticeship program that meets your specific needs. Some of the benefits include:
ApprenticeshipNC helps workers learn specialized skills needed in today’s work environment. With an employer-driven model, we help combine on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction.
The NC General Assembly recently approved $12 million in funding to expand apprenticeship in the state (Session Law 2021-180 Section 6.14). The $12 million is being used to provide funds for employers to add new apprentices ages 16-25 based on the following criteria:
If you are ready to learn more about apprenticeship, contact Business and Career Services Associate Dean Rick Shew at 828-759-4635 or rshew@cccti.edu. They will coordinate a meeting with the apprenticeship consultant.
View the Registered Apprenticeship Pays Dividends document to see how registered apprentices can benefit your company.
For more information, complete the Employer's Apprenticeship Interest Form