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Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship

Youth in Registered Apprenticeship Program (YRAP)

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Office of Apprenticeship and Training defines Registered Apprenticeship as “an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience with a mentor, receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally recognized credential. Registered Apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency."

In this guide, YRAP refers to Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) that are specific to high school students aged 16-18 (or the highest age of high school completion). YRAPs are paid, on-the-job learning, from an assigned mentor in the workplace combined with related technical classroom instruction through the CTE program. Upon successful completion of the YRAP, all apprentices receive a nationally recognized credential.

Elements of a YRAP:

  • Paid employment and training opportunity with structured wage progressions.
  • Minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training.
  • Typically, 144 hours of classroom instruction per year, aligned with on-the-job training.
  • 1-6 years in duration
    • Details regarding continued classroom instruction for students participating in YRAPs that go beyond high school graduation must be included in the initial training agreement with the employment partner and any additional educational partners required to conduct continued classroom instruction after high school.

  1. Identify student(s) in CTE programs aligned with approved apprenticeship industries who are committed to completing a YRAP in their chosen occupational area.
  2. Identify business partners who have established, or are interested in establishing, a RAP.
  3. Develop training agreements and curriculum standards with business partners and additional educational partners if applicable.
  4. Program and all documentation required by USDOL and Arizona Apprenticeship Office (AAO) is submitted to AAO for approval.
  5. Once RAP is approved by AAO, students begin interviewing with the employer partner for the apprenticeship role. 

Pre-Apprenticeship 

Pre-Apprenticeship programs are designed to prepare individuals for entry into RAPs or other job opportunities. Pre-apprenticeships are aligned with a partnering RAP sponsor and allow for the transfer of knowledge and skills as credit toward an RAP upon completion of the pre-apprenticeship. Pre-Apprenticeships are an opportunity for students to gain knowledge and hands-on experience in an occupational field of interest, without the full demand of a YRAP, with an opportunity to continue in a YRAP upon successful completion of the pre-apprenticeship program.

Elements of a Pre-Apprenticeship:

  • May be paid or upaid.
  • Transferable credit can be applied to a RAP upon completion of program.
  • Can last for weeks or months.

 

Additional resources and assistance for developing a YRAP program are available through ADE Career & Technical Education WBL office or the Arizona Apprenticeship Office. ADE Youth in Registered Apprenticeships Guidebook coming soon!

(WBL Guidebook page 10-11)