Becoming an Apprentice

STEPS TO BECOMING A REGISTERED APPRENTICE

  1. IDENTIFY THE OCCUPATION THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.
    All prospective apprentices should start by identifying the trade or craft they wish to learn. There are many ways to learn about occupations. One way is to do the Virginia VIEW Occupational Search that matches an individual's personal preferences in work situations to occupations. Career counselors and helping professionals in high schools, vocational centers, community colleges, and public service agencies such as the Virginia Employment Commission know about Virginia VIEW. A person who wants to become an apprentice can discuss the requirements of a particular trade with their local Virginia Employment Commission Office.
  2. LOCATE AN EMPLOYER WHO WILL SPONSOR YOUR APPRENTICESHIP.
    A sponsor, also known as a business, must be identified as to who will provide on-the-job training for the apprenticeship program to be conducted. If prospective apprentices know of a business establishment that is willing to hire him/her in the trade or craft they wish to learn, the prospective apprentice should contact an Apprenticeship Representative at the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (see address and phone number below). The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry Representative will assist the prospective apprentice in asking the business to establish an Apprenticeship Training Program. If the prospective apprentice has decided on a particular trade or craft but does not know of a business that would be willing to be a sponsor, the Workforce Information Coordinators in their local Employment Commission Office can be contacted to help identify possible sponsors.
  3. CONTACT THE APPRENTICESHIP REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY.
    The apprenticeship representative from the Department of Labor and Industry will meet with the prospective apprentice and sponsor, usually at the sponsor's business establishment. At the meeting, the training program will be outlined and discussed. The length of time an individual will be required to serve on-the-job and to attend related instruction will be discussed. An apprentice action form which formalizes the apprenticeship agreement is signed by the sponsor and the apprentice. This is not a contract, but rather an agreement as to the time frame and terms of the apprenticeship.

    Delores Ferrell
    Department of Labor & Industry, Interstate Corporate Center, Building 6
    6363 Center Drive, Suite 101 Norfolk VA 23502-4102

    (757) 455-0891 Ext 144 Ms. Ferrell
  4. WORK, LEARN AND EARN DURING YOUR APPRENTICESHIP.
    At the completion of an apprenticeship training program, the apprenticeship representative from the Department of Labor and Industry will have the sponsor and the Related Instruction Coordinator sign a certification indicating the apprentice has completed the required training. In approximately one month from the completion date, the apprentice will receive a Certification of Completion of Apprenticeship Training issued by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. New Horizons currently offers numerous specific programs of Apprentice Related Studies. Training of apprentices in our service area is monitored by the Related Instruction Coordinator