Welcome to the Department of Industrial Relations

Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Educators

Apprenticeship Fills the Gap

  • 6.5 million new California job openings will be generated by 20141
  • Only 22 percent of California’s jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher2
  • Labor market experts predict that 75 percent of new jobs will require a high level of technical literacy—and that’s what apprenticeship offers

Apprenticeship is not just a job—it’s a career opportunity

What is apprenticeship?

  • Apprenticeship is a system of learning while earning, and “learning by doing.”
  • It combines training on the job with related and supplemental instruction at school. 
  • The apprenticeship training system is unique in that its basic foundation is a partnership between industry, education and government.
  • Classes may count toward a college degree.

What kinds of opportunities are there for apprentices?

  • There are more than 850 apprenticeable occupations in the United States, and over 200 apprenticeable occupations active in California.
  • In November 2006 voters passed $43.3 billion in bonds to rebuild California’s infrastructure. Thousands of jobs in the construction crafts will be available as a result.

What can schools do?

  • Increase awareness of the skilled trades in K-12 education.
  • Encourage school counselors to guide students that are likely candidates to explore the career possibilities that skilled and technical trades and crafts offer.
  • Bring pre-apprenticeship programs and career technical education programs into the schools.
  • Ask an apprenticeship consultant to speak with school counselors and staff in the classroom and at job fairs.

Why should K-12 Schools care about apprenticeship?

  • Thirty percent of freshmen entering high school in California drop out—
    only 70 percent graduate.3
  • Of the total freshmen, 43 percent enter community colleges or state colleges and universities. Only sixteen percent receive a BA or BS degree within six years.4
  • The average beginning apprentice is 27 years old and has attempted five careers.
  1. Industry employment projections, California Employment Development Department, www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov
  2. California Performance Review Report—ETV25 Balance Career Technical Education and College Preparation in High Schools, cpr.ca.gov
  3. 1999-2003 high school enrollment and graduation data provided by the California Department of Education
  4. Enrollment data for first-time freshmen in Fall 2003 provided by the University of California and California State University systems

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