Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship for Veterans

Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training (OJT) and related classroom instruction under the supervision of a journey-level craft person or trade professional in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation.

Programs and employers are always looking for veterans — particularly the building and construction trades

• Good jobs. Good pay. Great future.

  • Apprenticeships offer a way out of low paying, dead-end jobs and put you on a path to high-wage careers and financial success.

• You’ll gain marketable skills.

  • As a registered apprentice, you’ll be paid to learn your job. Your employer pays for your on-the-job and technical classroom training, so you don’t have to worry about finding the time or money to go back to school.

• You’ll make a livable wage.

  • In the first year, hourly apprenticeship wages range from Minimum Wage to $30.46, and increase as you meet required milestones. Once you complete the program and become a journey level worker, you’ll earn as much as $48.75/hour.

• You’ll have health and retirement benefits.

  • Careers in the construction trades offer comprehensive health insurance to keep you and your family safe and healthy. Many employers also offer generous pensions and paid retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s.

• You'll be able to use your Veterans Education Benefits as part of your apprenticeship.

  • Your Veterans Education Benefits will supplement your income by helping to pay for our books, supplies, and providing a living allowance.

After completing an apprenticeship program, the worker's journey-level status provides an additional benefit of nationwide mobility at journey level scale.

Click here for Apprenticeship Fairs and Events!

Apprenticeship Resource Guide & Links

Below is a list of resource guides produced by different agencies which outlines WA State registered apprenticeships. 

• LNI which is the state regulating agency for all WA state registered apprenticeships: https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-preparation

• Guide produced by the City of Seattle focusing on the Seattle area and on construction apprenticeships: http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/FAS/PurchasingAndContracting/Labor/ApprenticeshipGuidebook.pdf

• GI Bill® approved apprenticeships: http://wacareerpaths.com/apprenticeships/

Industry Links

Apprenticeships can be found in several industries. Below are helpful links to help you learn more about apprenticeships in their specific industries. 

• Construction 

  • Center of Excellence – https://www.constructioncenterofexcellence.com/apprenticeship/
  • Washington Building Trades – http://www.wabuildingtrades.org/
  • CITC – http://www.citcwa.com/

• AJAC | Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships

  • https://www.ajactraining.org/programs/military-pathways/

• Information Technology (Apprenti) 

  • https://apprenticareers.org/

• Maritime 

  • http://www.workboatacademy.com/

• Health Care 

  • http://www.wacmhc.org/programs/education-and-training/item/61-medical-assistant-registered-apprenticeship-program

• Safety Specialist 

  • https://www.intuitivesafetysolutions.com/cssapprenticeship/

GI Bill Links

Below are links which will help you understand your GI Bill® benefits as they relate to apprenticeships. WASC is the state approving agency for the GI Bill® and has the list of all state approved apprenticeships. Both the GI Bill comparison tool and the DOL website will instruct you on your benefits.

• WASC – http://www.wsac.wa.gov/veterans
• GI Bill Comparison Tool – https://www.vets.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/
• DOL – https://doleta.gov/oa/veterans.cfm

Women Resources

There are many resources and organizations in apprenticeships to support women entering into their industry. Below are

• Western Resources Center – http://womeninapprenticeship.org/
•  Apprenticeship & Non-Traditional Employment for Women (ANEW) – http://anewaop.org/
•  Washington Women in the Trades – http://www.wawomenintrades.com/