Apprenticeships are “earn while you learn” programs that combine on-the-job training with job-related instruction. This model has gained popularity in recent years, with new programs being created to address workforce needs in a variety of growing industries including tech and healthcare.
Consider your career goals and what types of occupations interest you to narrow your search for apprenticeship opportunities. Also, be sure to review any eligibility requirements for each program.
Job Openings
The new programs include Registered Apprenticeships in a variety of trades, including manufacturing, information technology and health care. They combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and lead to careers in high-demand occupations.
These programs are industry-vetted to ensure that they align with the needs of employers and create skilled workers. Each program includes a paid job that produces quality work, structured on-the-job learning with an experienced mentor, and classroom education that enhances the apprenticeship experience. The final outcome is a credential that meets national standards for quality and rigor.
BMCC will partner with local community organizations and employers to offer the program. Interested individuals can find apprenticeship opportunities on our Apprenticeship Finder. Once they select an occupation, they should reach out directly to the employer or program sponsor to determine if they are hiring or if they have any additional questions. In addition, each Registered Apprenticeship program is monitored by a State Labor Department Apprenticeship Training Representative to ensure that it is meeting the highest training standards for the region.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare workers for high-paying, skilled careers. The federal Department of Labor (DOL) provides resources for those interested in learning more about apprenticeships.
The apprenticeship model can benefit all stakeholders: employers, current employees, and new hires. However, the key to a successful program is for employers to balance their short-term interests with those of their apprentices and incumbent workforce.
Moreover, the success of an apprenticeship program depends on its ability to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. This can be accomplished by including competencies related to diversity, leveraging community organizations to support diverse participants, and incorporating inclusive hiring practices.
The next mayor should work to build a network of local apprenticeship programs by partnering with state leaders and creating an NYC Apprenticeship Accelerator headquartered at CUNY. This will bring together community colleges, businesses, unions and education leaders to co-create programs, develop classroom and on-the-job training curricula, secure funding and incentives, register apprenticeships, and connect participants to jobs news.
Training Opportunities
Apprenticeships are a way to learn a career while getting paid. It combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction and leads to a job that pays a living wage. Apprentices earn as they learn and have the opportunity to receive a nationally recognized credential. Research shows that those who complete a registered apprenticeship are more likely to be employed, have higher wages and make more money over the course of their career.
The city’s new Apprentice Accelerator, for example, would bring together unions, employers and training providers to help place 30,000 people in apprenticeships over the next seven years. That’s a small increase for a state with nearly 9.6 million people in the workforce, but it could have a big impact on workers who would otherwise struggle to find jobs or train for the ones they have.
ODEP promotes inclusive apprenticeship program models that meet employer needs by attracting candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities. Check out our Inclusive Apprenticeship Guides to learn more and get involved.
Career Development
Apprenticeships are a great way to learn a new career. They combine classroom and lab work with on-the-job training in the field. This approach is most popular for occupations that require specialized knowledge, such as the skilled trades. According to the Department of Labor, they continue to be an effective training strategy in these fields, which include carpentry, machining, plumbing and welding.
An apprenticeship is an opportunity to gain professional work experience, avoid student debt and earn a career-ready credential while getting paid. These programs last from one to six years.
Each trade has a specific training term, and as an apprentice you progress through the ranks from apprentice to journey worker and then master. Each step enables you to advance in the field, becoming more skilled and productive with each step.
BMCC has partnered with several industry organizations to offer apprenticeship opportunities to students. These programs typically involve a combination of classroom and laboratory instruction with a highly qualified BMCC faculty member, along with on-the-job learning through the company with which you are associated with the program.