Apprenticeship Program

A "state registered apprenticeship" is comprised of two components:

• On-the-job learning
• Classroom and lab learning via a community college or one of the California Department's of Education Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROCP).

Apprenticeship program can run from 1 to 5 or more years.

NO. The beginning wages are usually about one-third of what an entry level journeyman earns. The beginning wages must be approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS). The wage plan includes increments at set intervals like once every six months.

Apprentices have a benefit package.

With respect to "menial tasks", state registered apprenticeship programs have written "standards" approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS). The standards include specific work processes to be mastered on the job, and how many hours will be spent on the job performing each work process.

Yes. With respect to the classroom and lab learning:

• The employer, not the college, specifies what is to be taught.
• The classroom and lab instruction" instruction is referred to in the law as "Related and Supplemental Instruction" (RSI) because the instruction is "related to", and is "supplemental to", the apprentices on-the-job work experience and what they will be doing on the job in the near future.
• Approximately 145 classroom/lab hours (about 4 hours per week) are taken during the academic year.

Yes, if the employer requests, and the college and CCCCO agrees, that all of the RSI courses will be credit courses. To get the degree, the apprentice must pass all of the required general studies courses. An apprenticeship program can be approved by CCCCO for granting an Associate of Arts degree, an Associate of Science degree, or both degrees can be approved by CCCCO and the apprentice will decide which degree he/she wants to complete the degree requirements.

No. Many community colleges do not have the exact, up-to-date equipment and facilities to teach the RSI courses specified by the employer. In many instances, the employers already have excellent up-to-date training facilities and equipment. Many community colleges offer all of the RSI instruction at the employer's training facility. Thus, such apprenticeship programs do not limit the ability of community colleges to serve the skilled workforce needs of employers, but rather allows the community colleges to offer apprenticeship programs that could not otherwise be offered by the colleges.

In excess of 22,000

• Professional Firefighters, Psychiatric Technicians (State Mental Hospitals)
• Electricians, Field Iron Workers, Plumbers