About Apprenticeship

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What is an apprenticeship?

  • A registered apprenticeship is a combination of classroom and on-the-job training that prepares a person for a U.S. Dept. of Labor job title.
  • Apprentices take college classes at a community college while working with a mentor on the job to learn a checklist of skills applicable to their job.
  • Every job title requires a certain number of classroom hours and a certain number of on the job training hours.

What are the advantages of an apprenticeship program?

  • The employer pays for the tuition, books, supplies, and fees for your college classes.
  • You typically work 32 hours per week while going to college taking 8-10 credit hours per semester. Your pay increases as you gain more job skills. Depending on the career pathway, students may begin the apprenticeship program being paid between $9.00 and $14.00 an hour and end the program making between $10.00 per hour to $24.75 per hour. 

How would this compare with getting a degree from a community college?

Community College

  • You are responsible for school costs.
  • Full-time students typically don’t work or work part-time.
  • You may have debts from student loans.
  • You must seek employment when you graduate.
Apprenticeship

  • Employer pays all school costs.
  • Employment with a good wage while in school
  • Pay increases along the way.
  • No debts.
  • Continued employment with potential advancement when finished.

What will I have when I finish the program?

  • An academic credential (Certificate in Manufacturing Technology) and college credits that can be applied to higher academic credentials (Diploma or A.A.S.).
  • Certification as a Journeyworker in your job title.
  • Secure employment with potential for advancing in the company.

Interested students should:

  • Be at least 18 years of age and able to meet specific employer requirements
  • Be a high school completer from an accredited institution
  • Apply for apprenticeship positions listed at www.collegecentral.com/gastoncollege (student ID and any course completion required to apply)
  • contact Tanya Osbia, Success Coach, Gaston College, at apprenticeships@gaston.edu or by calling 704.922.2313.

Questions?

For more information about the apprenticeship program or how to apply, contact Tanya Osbia, Success Coach, Gaston College, at apprenticeships@gaston.edu or by calling 704.922.2313.