I Built It! Power Your Future

How we work?

You are interested in finding out about the many opportunities in the building construction trades and you want to know where to start.  This web page can answer your questions on what apprenticeship is and how to get involved as well as the contact information for programs in your area and much more. 

What is the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS)? (We Built this Site)

DAS is the agency that oversees all the apprenticeship programs in the state.  We foster and promote apprenticeship programs and are a resource for information for the various programs. DAS also writes apprenticeship standards to create programs that offer a full range of on-the-job training opportunities that ensure graduates will receive a State of California certificate of completion that they have successfully graduated from a state-registered apprenticeship program.  It is another credential for the graduate’s resume.  However, DAS does not provide actual apprenticeship opportunities or jobs. 

Search our database at: www.dir.ca.gov//das/ibuiltit/opportunities.asp to find apprenticeship programs across the state.  Additionally, local DAS office’s around the state will help answer any questions you may have. Here’s the list of offices statewide:  www.dir.ca.gov/das/ibuiltit/contact.html

What is apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship is an earn-while-you-learn method of starting and growing into a career.  An apprentice works under a journeyman to learn a trade while on the job and getting paid.  This is combined with related classroom instruction.   Apprenticeships can take anywhere from one-to-five years to complete depending on the trade and the prior experience of each individual apprentice.

What is an apprenticeship program?

An apprenticeship program can be a committee that is made up of labor and management representatives, an association of employers or an individual employer. Apprenticeship programs are registered with the State of California and are dedicated to training apprentices. 

Who pays the apprentice?

Apprentices are paid by an industry employer that has an affiliation with an apprenticeship program, not DAS

What does an apprentice get paid?

Apprentice pay starts at approximately half the pay a journeyman earns. As apprentices complete hours of work and related and supplemental classroom instruction and master more complex tasks, their pay increases.  The link below takes you to the public works wages paid in various counties to illustrate what an apprentice earns on public works jobs. www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/PWAppWage/PWAppWageStart.asp

How do I find an employer that is affiliated with an apprenticeship program?

Here are a few ways to find an employer:

1. When applying to an apprenticeship program, candidates may be placed on a ranked list. When a job opening with an apprenticeship participating employer comes up, highest ranked candidates will be called and directed to that employer.
2. An apprenticeship program may give you a list of employers and you contact them directly to find your own job.
3. You may already know an apprenticeship participating employer who may sponsor you into the program.

Can I expect steady work as an apprentice?

An apprentice works about as much as the average industry worker does. And, like fellow workers, an apprentice may be subjected to industry layoffs. Most employers, however, make an effort to have the apprentice work as steadily as possible.  While California is in the early recovery from a historic economic crisis as is every other state, we expect the economy and the funding for infrastructure to aid in that recovery. Over the next few years, we expect to see a rebound in the construction building trades.

Are there costs to the apprentice?

There are no costs to the apprentice for classroom instruction.  There may be a small investment for tools, books and clothing.

How do I prepare for an apprenticeship?

1. Find the trade that captures your interest.  Check this “Web page to see what the trades actually do”.  Check them out here: http://www.calapprenticeship.org/
2. Search the apprenticeship programs in your county and find out what they require.
3. Many programs have pre-apprenticeship classes that can help prepare you to meet apprenticeship requirements.  There are also pre-apprenticeship programs that are not connected to one trade but give you an opportunity to try several crafts. Here’s a link that gives you examples of what a program looks like:  www.dir/das/BP-Pre-Apprenticeship.pdf.

Can I use veteran’s benefits as an apprentice?

Absolutely. Visit the following link for all the information you need to use your veterans benefit as an apprentice: www.dir/das/ibuiltit/veterans.html. 

What are some career paths for an apprentice/ journeyman?

Highly trained journey workers are sought by industry for well-paying jobs. Many journey workers advance to become formen, supervisors or superintendents. Others, with additional years of advanced studies, go on to become technicians and engineers. There are many opportunities for advancement, depending on the abilities, attitudes and ambitions of the individual.  Additionally, you can have your own business, become a general contractor or get into the field of construction management.