Apprenticeship

Become an Apprentice Register an Apprenticeship

Registered Apprenticeship is a proven model of job preparation that combines paid on-the-job learning with related instruction to progressively increase workers’ skill levels and wages.

It is an employer-driven model that provides an effective way for employers to recruit, train and retain highly skilled workers. As an "earn and learn" strategy, Registered Apprenticeship offers job seekers immediate employment that offers advancement along a career path and a nationally-recognized credential.

The Office of Apprenticeship is responsible for:

Registering apprenticeship programs that meet federal and state requirements
Protecting the safety and welfare of apprentices
Assuring the programs provide high-quality training and on-the-job mentoring
Assuring the programs produce skilled and competent workers
Issuing nationally-recognized and portable credentials to apprentices
Promoting the development of new apprenticeship programs

Through our partnership with Apprenticeship RI, we are working to help employers build new apprenticeship programs in a variety of industries including healthcare, information technology, marine trades and manufacturing, with the goal of doubling the number of workers trained through apprenticeship within 5 years.

We are deepening connections between apprentices and higher education, working to create new paths through apprenticeship to earning a college degree.

Apprenticeship Occupations

Apprenticeship programs can be created in any occupation where the employer has a need for skilled workers. The occupations below are examples of occupations registered in Rhode Island.

Criteria for Apprenticeable Occupations

Customarily learned in a practical way through a structured, systematic program of on-the-job (OJT), supervised training
Clearly identified and commonly recognized throughout an industry
Involves manual, mechanical or technical skills and knowledge which require a minimum of 2,000 hours of OJT work experience
Requires related instruction to supplement the OJT training

All programs that have 5 or more apprentices sponsored must have a written Affirmative Action plan and a selection procedure. It must consist of activities to equalize opportunity in apprenticeship to permit full use of the work potential of minorities and women. It should involve special efforts to identify, recruit, motivate and train potential apprentices from these groups, along with goals and timetables for increasing their participation.

Rhode Island active registered apprenticeship programs include:

Occupation Title