“How can I get a good job without experience?”
“How can I get experience in my chosen field without a job?”
“How will I ever pay for the training I need to land a good job?”
“How will this school subject help me in the future?”
“How can I make contacts in the career field I want to be in?”
An apprenticeship program that gives you an opportunity to earn while you learn could be your answer.
Apprenticeship is training for specific careers under the close tutelage of an experienced worker with classroom instruction to augment on-the-job learning. Apprenticeship is a model for career training that has been around for centuries in Europe and is growing in the U.S.—and in Arkansas—because it helps employers bring job candidates up to the level of skill they need for a technology-driven economy.
Apprenticeship training programs that are registered by the U.S. Department of Labor always involve certain aspects:
Apprentices divide their time between a classroom, where they’re taught specific skills for a real occupation, and the job location, where they’re shown the job by an experienced worker.
Apprentices are employees of the company that hires them and places them in the program.
You know the subject matter you’re studying will help you on the job because your employing company helped compile it to meet its specific needs.
In most cases, you don’t pay for training—the employer pays you to get it.
You typically start low, but your pay rapidly rises at regular intervals as you learn.
You’ll want to work for the company that put you through the training, but when it’s time to move on, you’ll have a credential you can take anywhere in the U.S
The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded ADWS three apprenticeship-focused grants currently in operation.
Occupations
| Trainer
| Contact
|
Mechatronics and Advanced Mfg. | ASU-Mt. Home | Janel Cotter |
Welding | South Ark. CC | Linda Lephiew |
HVAC Technician | Nat. Park Coll. | Kelli Albrecht |
Ind. Coatings & Lining Applicator | Ark. Appren. Coalition | Karen Breashears |
Construction Trades (Plumber, Electrician, Pipe Fitter, etc. | Ark. Appren. Coalition | Karen Breashears |
Instrumentation Calibration Technician | Ark. Appren. Coalition | Karen Breashears |
Software Architect | Ark. Appren. Coalition | Karen Breashears |
Software Developer | Ark. Coding Academy | Alison Wish |
Police Officer | Little Rock PD | Lt. Rusty Rothwell |
Heavy Truck Driver | JB Hunt | Brandon Wooden |
There are other registered apprenticeship programs in Arkansas. You can find information about them in the links on the right side of this page.
Members of certain groups sometimes find they face added difficulties in finding lasting, self-sufficient employment. The evidence shows apprenticeships are an especially useful training alternative for minorities, individuals with disabilities, women and others. Many employers specifically target transitioning veterans to fill registered apprenticeship slots because of their unique experiences and skill-set.
A pre-apprenticeship prepares future workers to enter apprenticeship programs. Pre-apprenticeship programs supported by ADWS grants are growing exponentially around Arkansas. They allow young people to get a taste of what certain jobs are like so they can make informed, well-reasoned career choices. Pre-apprenticeship programs focus on general workplace expectations while giving an introduction to jobs in a particular industry sector. Contact the ADWS Discretionary Grants Outreach unit via email at discrgrants.outreach@arkansas.gov.
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