Earn, Learn, and Build Your Career

Are you not sure what career you want to pursue or are you looking for something new? Do you need to work while going to school to pay bills or support a family? Does the cost of college scare you? Are you interested in learning a trade? If the answer to any of these is yes, then an apprenticeship may be your ticket to a high-quality career with focused training and industry-recognized credentials.

Benefits of Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships today include the traditional construction trades, as well as non-traditional industries and occupations such as healthcare, recreational boat craftsmanship, truck driving, advanced manufacturing, IT and so much more. Best of all, you can still earn college credit and pursue a degree with many apprentice programs.

What Is an Apprenticeship?

Rooted in thousands of years of history, apprenticeships are evolving to include something for everyone. At the heart of any apprenticeship is the combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction. It is the essence of the “Earn and Learn” model.

Apprentices Are Employees in Training

Apprentices are paid a wage to do a job while supervised by an experienced employee or mentor on the job. Traditionally, a registered apprentice must have at least 2,000 hours on the job, but this now varies by industry and the employer’s training needs. In California, apprenticeships can also be constructed around competencies rather than recorded hours.

Apprentices Are Students

Half of the “Earn and Learn” model is classroom instruction that enhances apprentices’ knowledge of the occupation. Instruction can take place at the program sponsor’s site, online, or on campus using existing college classes. The legacy source states that California requires at least 144 hours of Related Supplemental Instruction (RSI) for a registered apprenticeship.

Benefits of Apprenticeship

For years, we have heard that a college degree is essential to earn a good living and have a solid career path. While it’s true that college graduates are typically less affected by economic downturns, there are multiple ways to get there. You do have options and the apprenticeship option has many benefits.

Earn while learning: An apprenticeship is a paid job. Depending on the program, classes are held on weekends, at night, or during work hours.
Practical training: On-the-job training and in-class courses are directly applicable to the job.
Earn college credit: CLPCCD offers college credit for the instructional portion of its apprenticeship programs.
Wage increases: Apprentices earn periodic raises as the program progresses and new skills are acquired.
No college debt for related courses: Apprenticeship classroom instruction is offered free of charge to apprentices. Fees may apply to general education classes taken outside the apprenticeship program toward an associate degree.
College or industry-recognized certificates: CLPCCD apprentices earn a certificate of achievement from the college as well as from the trade or an industry association.
Pathway to an associate degree: Many Chabot and Las Positas College apprenticeship programs provide a pathway to earn an associate degree during or after the apprenticeship.
Greater chance of permanent employment: The legacy source reports that 94% of apprentices who complete an apprenticeship program retain employment.

How to Become an Apprentice

Apprenticeship opportunities are offered through employers or program sponsors such as associations and construction-trade joint apprenticeship committees. There are hundreds of apprenticeship programs across California, and their number and variety continue to increase.

To become an apprentice, apply directly to the specific program sponsor or employer. The program or employer arranges your on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

Find CLPCCD Apprenticeship Programs

Many apprenticeship programs require tests or other assessments as part of their application process. Research and understand the prerequisites for the program you want to pursue. If you are concerned about these prerequisites, review the pre-apprenticeship information below.

Choose a Career

The first step is to determine the kind of work you want to do. CLPCCD apprenticeship programs offer college credit through Chabot College or Las Positas College in:

Advanced manufacturing
Construction
Early childhood development
Healthcare
Transportation and logistics

You must apply to programs directly. Each program has its own application and acceptance process. After signing an apprenticeship agreement, the program will direct you through the next steps for receiving college credit and connecting with an employer.

If CLPCCD does not offer a career that interests you, explore other opportunities through:

Career Assessment

If you are having difficulty deciding which direction to pursue, a career assessment can help identify fields that may be a good match.

Pre-Apprenticeships

Pre-apprenticeships offer test preparation and learning skills to help prepare someone to enter an apprenticeship program and are particularly aimed at young people.

Pre-apprenticeship programs offer training only, without paid work experience, but attending one can aid acceptance into an apprenticeship program. Primarily offered as preparation for construction trades, though growing in nontraditional fields, these programs teach foundational skills and often include opportunities to explore different options.

Participation does not guarantee acceptance into an apprenticeship program, but it can prepare participants for entry requirements.

Find California Building Trades pre-apprenticeship programs.

Become an Apprentice

Apprenticeships