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Apprenticeship Apprenticeship training has proven to be an effective method of skill development designed to meet the changing needs of the labour market. Furthermore, apprenticeship training provides participants the opportunity to acquire the necessary job skills and trade certification while they maintain gainful employment. What is apprenticeship? Apprenticeship is:
Why apprenticeship? All of the arguments for learning a skilled trade apply to apprenticeship: A skill sets craftworkers apart from other workers, is satisfying and rewarding, and is a marketable asset. But why learn a trade through apprenticeship instead of through some other method? Among other reasons, apprenticeship gives workers versatility by teaching them all aspects of a trade. It helps them learn to work with different kinds of people in an actual working situation. It familiarizes them with the overall picture of a company's operation and organization. Generally, an organized program of apprenticeship can earn graduates recognition as skilled workers and can ensure them good jobs with good pay. A study of apprenticeship graduates and other craftworkers in six US cities concluded that "apprenticeship training gives construction [craftworkers] considerable advantage over those trained by informal means." Apprenticeship graduates in the study were more educated, worked more steadily, learned their trades faster, and were more likely to supervise others than non apprenticed craftworkers. The same study showed that apprenticeship produced better skilled, more productive, and safer craftworkers. Apprenticeship training:
How does apprenticeship work? Specific details of apprenticeships will vary from one country to another and one trade to another. Generally, however, an applicant must:
How do I know if I am eligible for apprenticeship? Again, requirements vary from country to country, trade to trade, program to program, and plan to plan. However, they usually cover four factors: Age, education, aptitude, and physical condition. For example, an applicant may be required to pass an aptitude test, hold a high school diploma, meet an age requirement, pass occupationally essential physical requirements, have acceptable school grades, have work experience in a similar field, and be interviewed. Other programs may have more specific requirements, such as a driver's license or the ability to work with a team. How do I get started? Formal apprenticeship requires that you must be currently employed in the trade. First you will need to decide on an occupation that matches your goals, interests and strengths. Then you can set out to find an employer who is willing and able to train you as an apprentice. When deciding what trade to enter, prospective apprentices should consider such factors as the vocational characteristics of the different trades, their qualifications as applicants, and the market for jobs in the geographic area in which they would serve an apprenticeship. There are many helpful resources you can consult to assist you in making informed decisions. You could start by meeting with your school's career counsellor and visiting your local library to learn more about the occupations and industries that interest you. In addition to these resources, there is an abundance of career planning information available on the Internet. To help you get started, we have created a list of some informative web sites to visit.
Australia When exploring occupations, one should consider the working conditions of each. Does the work require stamina, as in iron working or sheetmetal work? Does it require moving from job to job, as in construction, or waring special clothing, as in insulation work? Is it monotonous? Is it clean (as is electrical work) or dirty (as is automotive maintenance)? What are the special safety and health hazards? The characteristics of the particular apprenticeship program should also be examined. What training facilities are available? What is the work environment? What kinds of related instruction are given? Does the program have mandatory classroom work or does it require apprentices to complete home study lessons and pass periodic examinations? What does it cost for books and tools? Most program sponsors provide study materials, but often apprentices must purchase standard manuals, such as those used by electricians. Also, apprentice mechanics are frequently required to supply their own basic tools. Is union membership required? If so, when is it offered to apprentices and are they charged reduced union dues? Does the program offer dual enrollment in a community college through which an associate degree could be earned while completing an apprenticeship? Finally, is the apprenticeship program registered with the Federal or State government? This question is significant since registration indicates that the program is likely to be of high quality. After examining the trades, prospective apprentices should ask themselves some important questions: What do they like to do? Where do they like to work? Are they good at close work or would they rather work with less detail? What are their qualifications? Do they have a high school diploma? Are their reasons for wanting to enter an apprenticeship good enough to satisfy the committee that will interview them? Most importantly, are they willing to commit themselves to working, studying and completing the term of an apprenticeship? Where can I find more specific apprenticeship information? Many organizations - such as labour unions, employer associations and public agencies - can provide information about apprenticeship. We have created a list of some of these organizations.
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