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PARTNERS IN APPRENTICESHIPS
Oregon Apprenticeship Guide
 
Employers, labor organizations, the Bureau of Labor and Industries´ Apprenticeship and Training Division and schools all play roles in apprenticeship.
 
The Apprenticeship Committee
Apprenticeship programs are designed and implemented by local apprenticeship committees. Made up of employer and employee representatives, committees decide current and future training needs and develop guidelines for programs. Employers may participate in an on-going committee or they may organize a committee for a new apprenticeship program. Based on market conditions and industry needs, a local committee decides:
  • Criteria for becoming an apprentice.
  • Skills required and the level of proficiency in those skills necessary to reach journey level.
  • Numbers of apprenticeship openings.
  • Wage rates and wage progressions based on demonstrated competencies.
  • Required course curriculum to complement on-the-job training. There are usually at least 144 hours of related classroom training required for each year of apprenticeship.
  • Methods for supervising apprentice progress.
  • Procedures in the selection, employment and training process that guarantee fair and equal opportunity to all applicants and workers.
  • Recommend "Certificate of Completion" when an apprentice has satisfactorily completed the required course work and training.
Employers
Employers of apprentices have the following roles:
  • Oversee on-the-job training and monitor attendance at related training classes.
  • Evaluate progress before recommending advancement to the next pay level.
Labor Organizations and Employer Associations
Labor organizations and employer associations have the following roles:
  • Support apprenticeship programs through participation on committees.
  • Assist in designing and monitoring the programs.
  • Participate in recruitment and public information endeavors.
  • If a collective bargaining agreement exists, the union´s role is defined by it.
The Apprenticeship and Training Division
Apprenticeship representatives, from the Bureau of Labor and Industries Apprenticeship and Training Division, provide guidance on industry standards and training guidelines and work closely with committees. They facilitate cooperation among employers, workers and schools. Apprenticeship representatives:
  • Help committees design training programs to meet an industry´s specific standards.
  • Advise committees on standards and curricula used elsewhere in the state and nation.
  • Provide information on statewide employment needs and trends.
  • Work with committees to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and the requirements of the state Apprenticeship Council.
  • Help update standards to maintain state of the art training.
The Schools
The Oregon Department of Education, local school districts, community colleges and other training facilities offer related coursework to apprentices. Schools and community colleges provide:
  • Coursework coordinated with on-the-job training programs. Examples include advanced mathematics, basic and advanced electronics, and classroom experience with industry machinery and equipment.
  • Teachers with expertise in the occupation.
  • Opportunities to earn credit for completed academic courses and on-the-job training.
Apprentices Earn Certification
When apprentices meet the requirements for program completion, they receive an apprenticeship "Certificate of Completion" and a journey card. Issued by the Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division, the certificate is recognized throughout the nation as proof of high quality, standardized training.
 
The Investment Is Worth the Reward
Apprenticeship offers more than a job. For those who meet the challenges of apprenticeship, the rewards are substantial. Journey-level workers, who have completed their training and have industry certification, have qualifications that are recognized and respected by industry. The jobs they receive provide excellent wages and benefits. A two-to five-year investment in an apprenticeship pays off in a career that offers the challenge of life-long learning, good wages and opportunities for advancement.