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Workshop Presentation Guide 

 

A Career Counselor Resource 

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Work Shop Objectives & Overview 

Aunionapprenticeshipisanexcellentcareerchoiceifyouliketoworkwithyourhands;arewillingtoserveanapprenticeshipforuptofiveyears,dependingonthetradeyouselect;havedexterity,

mechanicalability,problem‐solvingskillsandtheabilitytoworkcollaborativelywithateam;wanttoearnalivingwageandgoodbenefits;andwanttheopportunitytoadvanceinyourcareer. 

RegisteredApprenticeshipisatrainingsystemthatproduceshighlyskilledworkerstomeetthedemandsofemployerscompetinginaglobaleconomy.Aprogram’scontentisdefinedbytheindustry.

RegisteredApprenticeshipprogramsareclearlydefinedandmeetFederalandStatelawsandregulations.Aprovenstrategy,RegisteredApprenticeshipensuresqualitytrainingbycombiningon‐the‐jobtrainingwiththeoreticalandpracticalrelatedinstruction.

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A Unique Training Process  

TheRegisteredApprenticeshipsystemoftrainingisuniqueinthatitistheonlyformal,structured,

andnationallyrecognizededucationandtrainingprogramavailablethatcombinesthetwomostcommonformsofcareerandoccupationallearning:classroominstruction withon‐the‐jobtraining. 

Earn as you Learn

Apprenticesnotonlylearnoccupationalskillsintheclassroom,theirlearningisexpandedtoincludehands‐on,paid,on‐the‐jobtraining!Studentslearnandpracticeallphasesofthetrade/occupationinreal‐worldapplications. TheprogrammustberegisteredwiththeCaliforniaDepartmentof

apprenticeshipstandards(DAS). RegisteredApprenticeshipisatrainingstrategythatpayswagestoapprenticesduringthetermoftheirapprenticeship.Thesewagesareaportionoftheskilledwageratethatincreasesthroughoutthetrainingprograminaccordancewithapredeterminedunion

negotiatedwagescale. 

Portable Credentials Registered Apprenticeship is a training strategy that, by virtue of a legal agreement, leads to acertificateofcompletionandofficiallyrecognizedskilledjourneyworkerstatus.Theagreementsandcompletion certificates are issued by the California Department of Apprenticeship (DAS).Thesecredentials have explicit meaning, recognition, and respect in the eyes of federal and stategovernmentsandrelevantindustries. 

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A Proud History 

GovernmentparticipationwasestablishedintheNationalApprenticeshipActof1937whichauthorizes

thefederalgovernmentincooperationwiththestates,tooverseethenation'sapprenticeshipsystem.TheU.S.DepartmentofLabor'sOfficeofApprenticeshipinconjunctionwithstateapprenticeshipagencies,isresponsibleforregisteringapprenticeshipprogramsthatmeetfederalandstateStandards

ofApprenticeship.ItissuesCertificatesofCompletiontoapprentices,encouragesthedevelopmentofnewprogramsthroughmarketingandtechnicalassistance,protectsthesafetyandwelfareofapprenticesandassuresthatallprogramsprovidehighqualitytrainingtoapprentices.

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Industry Driven 

BecauseRegisteredApprenticeshipisdrivenbybusinessesandindustriesanddirectlyconnectedtosolvingtheirskillneeds,itispositionedtocontinuetogrowandexpandtoservetheneedsofthe21st

centuryworkforce.

Competencyandhybridmodelshavebeendevelopedtocomplementthetraditionaltime‐basedapprenticeshipmodels.Inadditiontobroadeningtheflexibilityforprogramsponsors,competencyand

hybridRegisteredApprenticeshipmodelsincreaseapprentices’opportunitiesforinterimcredentialsandtechnology‐basedlearning.

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The Gold Standard of Training Programs 

RegisteredApprenticeshipisdistinctlydifferentfromotherpublicworkforceinvestmentsystemprogramsbecauseitisnotasocialprogram.Itiscompletelydrivenandprimarilyfundedbyindustryandisconsideredthegold standard of public training programs.Employersandsponsorspayforon‐

the‐joblearningandfrequentlypayforapprentices'toolsandequipmentrequiredforapprenticeshiptraining.Approximately$2billionperyearnationallyiscontributedtotheRegisteredApprenticeshipsystemfromtheprivatesector.

We Produce Competent CraftspeopleTheApprenticeshipProgramstrainmenandwomentocraftsmanstatus.Byparticipatinginaprogram,

localapprenticeshiptrainingcommitteesshapeapplicantswithcharacter,aptitude,motivationandgoodpersonalitytraitsintocompetentjourneymenandjourneywomenwhohavein‐demandskillsets,comprehensiveknowledge,positiveattitudesandsuperiorabilities.

ThebenefitsoftheUnionApprenticeshipProgramsincludetheopportunitytolearnwhileyouearn;state‐of‐the‐arttraining;careeradvancementopportunities;excellentwagesandbenefits;safeworking

conditions;andprideanddignity.Women Are Building a Strong California Too

Theconstructionindustry'surgentneedforskilledworkerscreatesopportunitiesforwomentoenterandadvanceinthefield.Jobsinthetradesofferwomenthechanceformeaningfulworkwithhighwages.Awomancanexpecttoearn20to30percentmoreinaconstructioncareer.

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A Working Relationship for Success 

ApprenticeshiparrangementsatthelocallevelarehandledbylocalJointApprenticeshipCommittees(JACorJointApprenticeshipandTrainingCommittees(JATC)whicharecomposedofequalnumbersofemployerandemployeerepresentatives.Normally,apprenticesareregisteredwiththelocalJACorJATCthathasjurisdictioninthegeographicareawhichtheyreceiveOn‐TheJobTraining(OJT)andintheschooldistrictwheretheycompleterelatedclassroominstruction.

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A Written Agreement 

ThelocalJACorJATCoperatesitsapprenticeshipprogramunderauthoritygrantedtoitbyparticipatingemployerandemployeeorganizations.ThisauthorityisestablishedinawrittenagreementcalledanApprenticeshipLaborStandardsAgreement,usuallyreferredtosimplyasthe"ApprenticeshipStandards"fortheprogram.TheApprenticeshipStandardsareadoptedbytheJACorJATCandapprovedbytheDAS.ThesestandardscontainrulesandregulationsforconductingtheapprenticeshipprogramanddetailthedutiesandresponsibilitiesofthelocalJACorJATC.

Rules and Regulations  

InconformancewiththeApprenticeshipStandards,theJACorJATCselectsandindenturesapprentices,superviseon‐the‐job(OJT)trainingandassistsandadvisestheschoolintherelatedinstructionprogram.Thecommitteealsokeepsrecordsofeachapprentice’sprogress,enforcesdisciplineasrequired(thismayincludecancelinganapprenticeshipagreementforjustcause),approvestransfersandrecommendsissuanceofcertificateofcompletionwhenapprenticeshaveearnedthem.ApprovaloftheJACorJATCisrequiredbeforeanapprenticecanbeadvancedtonexthigherrateofpayandthisdependsontheapprentice’sworkrecordandprogressinrelatedinstruction

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Prerequisites & RequirementsBecauseoftheuniquerelationshipbetweenon‐the‐jobandclassroomapprenticeshiptraining,admissiontoapprenticeshipclassesislimitedtoapprenticesregisteredwiththeCaliforniaDepartment

ofApprenticeshipsStandards.ThislimitationisauthorizedbytheCaliforniaLaborCode,Section3074.3.Eachunionapprenticeshiphasdifferenteligibilityandadmissionrequirements.Generally,however,to

beeligible,youmustbeatleastage18;abletoperformtheworkofthetrade;andpresentverificationthatyouhavecompletedahighschoolorGEDdiploma.Youmustalsodemonstratetheabilitytoread,writeandspeakEnglishinordertocomprehendinstructioninrelatedtrainingclassesandensuresafety

onthejob.Theselection,employmentandtrainingofapprenticesbylocalapprenticeshiptrainingcommitteesis

withoutdiscriminationbasedonrace,color,nationalorethnicorigin,age,gender,religion,sexualorientation,ormaritalstatus.Journeymanandcraftsmanaretermsusedtoidentifylevelsofcompetency,notgender.Womenwhocompletetheapprenticeshipprogramareproudoftheir

journeywomanstatusintheindustry.

Signature Required   

Anapprenticeshiprequiresasignedagreementbetweenyouandthesponsorprogram.Whenyousigntheapprenticeshipagreement,youcommittoparticipateinrelatedandsupplementalinstructionas

wellason‐the‐jobtraining.Youareexpectedtobeatyourassignedjob,ontime,everydayandattendrelatedsupplementalinstructionclasses.Uponcompletionofyourapprenticeship,youwillreceiveacertificateofcompletionfromtheCaliforniaDepartmentofApprenticeshipStandardsCertificatethat

signifiesyourreadinesstobeginyourcareerasajourneyman or journeywoman. 

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Classroom Attendance 

ApprenticesmustattendRelatedSupplemental/TechnicalInstructionwhichiscombinedwithon‐the‐job‐learningexperience.Mostprogramsrequireapproximately144hoursofRelatedTechnical

Instructionperyear.LikeotheraspectsofRegisteredApprenticeship,theemployerorlocalcommitteedeterminestheRelatedTechnicalInstructiontrainingrequirementsaccordingtoindustrystandards.

Apprenticeslearnthe"how"onthejobandthe"why"throughRelatedTechnicalInstruction.Apprenticescanseeforthemselveshowthetechnicaltaskcanbeaffectedbythecontextinwhichitisperformedandhowtheirownperformancemusttakethatcontextintoaccount.

College Credit 

ManyRegisteredApprenticeshipprogramsnowcombinetheabilitytoearnanassociate'sorhigherdegreeinadditiontoacertificateofcompletionissuedbytheDASinCaliforniawhichrecognizestheirachievementofjourneyman/journeywomenstatus.

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Journeymen & Journeywomen as trainers and mentors 

LearningintheworkplaceunderthesupervisionofskilledJourneymenandjourneywomenallowsfullparticipationbyapprenticesinboththeprocessoflearningandofworking.Throughobservationand

hands‐onapplications,apprenticesbuildtechnicalskillsandexperienceteamwork.

Sponsoredby JAC/JATC labor/managementgroups thathave theability tohireand train inaworkingenvironment. The employment opportunity is the most basic requirement for any apprenticeship.Withoutthe job,there isnoon‐the‐jobtraining. On‐the‐jobtrainingrepresentsapproximately90%oftheprogram. 

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How Long? 

RegisteredApprenticeshipprogramsmaytakefrom1‐6yearstocomplete,dependingontheoccupation.Mostprogramsare3‐4yearsinlength.Thelengthoftraining(term)isdeterminedby

standardsadoptedbytheindustry.

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Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employer Costs for Employee Compensation ‐‐ March 2009"  

Union workers earn moreWagesandbenefitsfortheaverageunionworkerintheprivatesectortotaled$36.59perhourinMarch2009,comparedto$26.39anhourforthetypicalnon‐unionworker.

Wages and salaries higher for union workers …InMarch,theaverageunionworkerintheprivatesectorearned$22.76perhourinwageandsalaryincome,whiletheaveragenon‐unionworkerearned$19.06perhour.That’saunionadvantageof$3.70perhour,or$7,696peryearforafull‐time,full‐yearworker.

… But benefits are the biggest union advantageBenefits,though,arewherethebiggestunionadvantagelies.Theaverageunionworkerintheprivatesectorreceives$13.82perhourtowardtheirbenefitspackagewhiletheirnon‐unioncounterpartreceivesonly$7.33perhour.

Retirement and health benefits more widespread for union workersAfteryearsofservice,workersdeserveasecureretirement.Unfortunately,only51percentofnon‐unionworkersreceiveretirementbenefitsthroughtheiremployer,througheitheratraditionalpensionora401(k)account.Instarkcontrast,86percentofunionworkershaveemployer‐providedretirementbenefits.Onlyabouthalf(52percent)ofnon‐unionworkersreceivehealthcarebenefitsthroughtheiremployer.Thatcompareswith79percentofunionworkers.

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Union advantage holds across occupations and industriesBlue‐collarworkersintradesenjoyasubstantialadvantagefromunionrepresentation–butsodoworkersinnon‐tradesettings.Infact,theBureauofLaborStatistics'report,"UnionMembersin2008,"showsthattheunionadvantageholdsacrossoccupationsandindustry

What is the difference between...

... if your workplace is non-union

. . . if you join a union and have a contract

Youarean"employeeatwill."Youremployercandisciplineorfireyouatanytimeforanyreason;youhavenorecourse.

Discipline,uptoandincludingdischarge,issubjecttoagrievanceprocedureandbindingarbitration,dependingonthetermsofyourcontract.

"Opendoor"policymeanstheemployerwilllistentoyou...andthendowhateverheorshewants.

Contractnegotiationsrequirebothsides—laborandmanagement—tolisten,andreachreasonablecompromisesacceptabletobothsides.

Employerdetermineswages,benefitsandothertermsandconditionsofwork.Ifyou'renotsatisfied,youronlyoptionistogetanotherjob.

Wages,benefitsandworkingconditionsarenegotiated.Ifyouarenotsatisfied,youcanworkforchangesduringcontractnegotiations.

Wages,benefitsandothertermsandconditionscanbechangedbytheemployeratanytime.

Neitherlabornormanagementcanmakeunilateralchangestoasignedcontract.Ifmodificationsarenecessaryduringthelifeofacontract,bothsidesmustagree.

Hiringandpromotionisuptothediscretionoftheemployer.

Hiringandpromotioniscoveredbycontract.Seniorityandotherfactorscanbewrittenintotheagreement.

Infact,whenlookingatlawsaffectingworkers,it'sgoodtothinkofthis:lawsliketheminimumwage,worker'scomp,overtime,OSHAandERISA(governingpensionsandprofitsharing)providethebareminimumthatappliestoeveryone.Fornon‐unionworkers,however,thebareminimumbecomesa

ceiling‐noonepromisesrightsanyhigher.Forunionworkers,ontheotherhand,thebareminimumisjustthefloor‐theyalwaysbargainforrightsandbenefitsabovethebareminimumsetbythelaw.

Nosurprisethenthatunionwagesarebetter,unionshopsaresaferandunionjobsaremoresecure!

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Sample Only 

Thenumberofperiods,classroomtraininghours,on‐the‐jobtraininghoursandpercentageof

journeymanwageineachstepoftrainingvaryaccordingtoindividualprogramstandards.

BeginningapprenticesinCaliforniaearnanapproximatebasewageandbenefitpackagevaluedat$18ormoreperhour.Afterfiveyearsofapprenticeshiptraining,thebasewageandbenefitpackagescanincreasesto$45ormoreperhour,dependingonthetradeandregion.Raisesaregivenregularly

accordingtonegotiatedunioncontracts.

Apprenticesmustbefull‐timeemployeesofanemployerwhoisacontributingsponsorofthelocalJAC/JATCtrainingprogram.Typically,thewageofanapprenticestartsat50‐55%ofajourneymanworker'swage.Wagesincreaseprogressivelywithsatisfactorycompletionofon‐the‐jobtraining(OJT)

andrelatedsupplemental/TechnicalInstruction(RSI).

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• Full‐timeemploymentwithcareerplacementbuiltin• Becomeskilledinatrade,andgetpaidtodoit–“EarnWhileYouLearn!”• Paid“scholarship”–noorlow‐costsupervisedtraining• Involvesacommitmentfromtheemployer• Progressivelyincreasingwagewithexcellentbenefits• Nationallyrecognizedcredential–CompletionofApprenticeshipCertificate• Improvedjobsecurityandstandardofliving• Opportunityforcollegecreditand/orassociatedegree• PrideandDignity

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Check it out today!  UsingtheUnion Apprenticeship Career Worksheet,haveinterestedcandidatesresearchprogramsonthewebsiteforcareeropportunitiesinaunionapprenticeshipprogramintheirregion.Hand outs FAQSheetUnionApprenticeshipCareerWorksheetPowerPointHandoutUnionEmploymentHandout

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Union Apprenticeship FAQ ‘s 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Registered Union Apprenticeship and other types of training? 

TheRegisteredApprenticeshipsystemoftrainingisuniqueinthatitistheonlyformal,structured,andnationallyrecognizededucationandtrainingprogramavailablethatcombinesthetwomostcommon

formsofcareerandoccupationallearning:classroominstruction withon‐the‐jobtraining.

Apprenticesnotonlylearnoccupationalskillsintheclassroom,theirlearningisexpandedtoinclude

hands‐on,paid,on‐the‐jobtraining!Studentslearnandpracticeallphasesofthetrade/occupationinreal‐worldapplications. TheprogrammustberegisteredwiththeCaliforniaDepartmentofApprenticeshipStandards.

How long is the training?

RegisteredApprenticeshipprogramsmaytakefrom1‐6yearstocomplete,dependingontheoccupation.Mostprogramsare3‐4yearsinlength.Thelengthoftraining(term)isdeterminedbystandardsadoptedbytheindustry.

Are apprentices required to attend school?

ApprenticesmustattendRelatedTechnicalInstructionwhichiscombinedwithon‐the‐job‐learningexperience.Mostprogramsrequireapproximately144hoursofRelatedTechnicalInstructionperyear.

LikeotheraspectsofRegisteredApprenticeship,theemployerorlocalcommitteedeterminestheRelatedTechnicalInstructiontrainingrequirementsaccordingtoindustrystandards.

Can apprentices earn college credit for their Registered Apprenticeship experience? 

Yes.Communityandtechnicalcollegesoffercollegecreditfortherequiredrelatedinstructioninmany

RegisteredApprenticeshipprograms.

Are there age limits for apprentices?

Eachindustryestablishesitsownminimumagerequirement,althoughthetypicalminimumageis18.Therearenoupperagelimitsonapprentices.

 

 

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Are apprentices paid? 

Yes.Apprenticesmustbefull‐timeemployeesofanemployerwhoisacontributingsponsoroftheJAC/JATCtrainingprogram.Typically,thewageofanapprenticestartsat40‐50%ofaskilledworker'swage.WagesincreaseprogressivelywithsatisfactorycompletionofworkassignmentsandRelated

TechnicalInstruction.

What are the minimum educational/experience requirements for Registered Apprenticeship?

Noexperienceisrequiredofanewapprentice.MostRegisteredApprenticeshipprogramsrequireapplicantstohaveahighschooldiplomaorGEDcertificate.Someoccupationsrequireentryleveltesting

ofbasicreading,writingandmathskills.

What are the benefits of Registered Union Apprenticeship?

Apprentice:

• Paidtolearnatrade/occupation• GuaranteedUnionnegotiatedcontractwageincreasesandbenefits• Portablecredentialsthatarenationallyrecognized• Opportunityforcollegecredit

Is all apprenticeship training the same?

No.Iftheprogramsponsor/employerisnotregisteredwiththeCaliforniaDepartmentofApprenticeship,itisNOTaRegisteredApprenticeshipprograminCalifornia.

Is the Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor also the eligible training provider for the Workforce Investment Board System? 

Yes,RegisteredApprenticeshipprogramsponsors/employersareinitiallyeligibleiftheysignuptobeaneligibletrainingprovider.ThelocalWorkforceServicesagencywilldetermineajobseeker'seligibility.

What costs associated with Registered Apprenticeship may be considered for eligible clients through the Workforce Investment System?

Fundsmaybeusedtoprovidethecostofbooks,supplies,fees,uniforms,toolsandotheritemsneededbytheclienttocompletetheRegisteredApprenticeshipprogram.Fundinglimitsaresetbyeachlocalareaorprogram.