The Montana
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For EMPLOYERS
Apprenticeship at a glance
The primary components are:
- on-the-job training
- journeymen mentoring
- related instruction
- incremental wage increases
The Montana Apprenticeship & Training Program (ATP) is a training program that combines paid, on-the-job training with related college or other post-secondary coursework.
Apprenticeship enables employers to develop and apply industry standards to training programs that can increase productivity and improve the quality of the workforce.
What is an Apprenticeship sponsor and what are their duties?
A sponsor is an employer that is able and willing to train workers in all aspects of an apprenticeable occupation in an employment-training environment.
The there are three main responsibilities of sponsors:
(1) Provide job training under the supervision of skilled workers, by industry standards but within the firm’s scope of quality control
(2) Pay the Apprentice wages on a progressive scale according to applicable regulations
(3) Ensure that the Apprentice successfully completes the related instruction that is required as part of registered apprenticeship
(4) Provide a safe and healthy work environment
Who can become an Apprenticeship Program sponsor?
Any business, large or small, union or non-union, which employs workers in an apprentice-able occupation is qualified to be a sponsor.
Who is eligible for an Apprenticeship?
Any existing employee or new hire can become an Apprentice as long as they:
- Have their high school diploma or GED
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Are committed to furthering their education, both in the classroom and on the job
- Physically capable of performing the work required by the occupation
Apprenticeship = A Smart Business Investment
Apprenticeship is an attractive way to develop a highly skilled and productive workforce.
Apprentices are trained in the skills that are fundamental to their position in your company. This specialized Apprenticeship training allows your company to be more competitive in your particular industry by allowing employers to train and grow their workforce.
Without a steady flow of Apprentices becoming skilled journey workers, the quality of industrial standards would suffer. Employers are dependent on the job market for skilled workers and with in-house certified training programs, they can expand the size of markets. Another fact to consider – the current journeyworker workforce is declining due to age and retirements. Traditional sources of skilled craftsman are shrinking rapidly which is why in-house registered apprenticeship training programs are the key to our having the ability to maintain and build our Country’s infrastructure now and into the future.
Advantages for Apprenticeship Sponsors:
Employee skills are tailored to fit your workplace—leading to greater productivity and competency
- The training gives employees a path for upward mobility. Future managers can be selected from the program’s pool of highly skilled workers
- Skills of a retiring workforce are preserved through on-the-job mentoring and employees trained in new technologies share information with other employees, giving you a competitive edge
- Structured training of the program promotes quality and teamwork
- Recruitment and retention of a highly qualified workforce and reduced turnover
- Provides assessment of existing skills, identifies and improves the standards of the occupation, and ensures meeting the training standards of the occupation
- Reduced training costs—receive an excellent return on your training investment
What support is available to my business from the Montana Apprenticeship & Training Program?
A. Apprenticeship Field Representatives are available on an ongoing basis to provide current technical support and information in an ever-changing market environment.
B. Provide oversight servicing and monitoring of existing apprenticeship programs to ensure compliance with state, federal and industry training standards and successful completion of apprentices.
C. The Apprenticeship & Training Program services are provided to the employers and apprentices without fees or direct cost.
Establishing a Registered Apprenticeship Training Program
Apprenticeship Representatives assist in setting up Apprenticeship Agreements between the employer and Apprentice(s). The representatives will clarify your training environment, make sure that the worksite meets on-the-job training standards, and assist in establishing the linkage with the right educational community for the required related instruction.
Employers work closely with their Apprenticeship Representative and the Supervisor of Apprenticeship to establish a set of Apprenticeship training standards, which include:
- an on-the-job training outline,
- related classroom instruction curriculum or correspondence courses,
- Apprenticeship program procedures.
The program will be registered if state and federal requirements are met.
What is the catch? There must be a lot of paperwork and costs to the sponsor.
Apprenticeship is a win-win situation for the sponsor and the Apprentice. There is no “red tape.” Once the program is customized to your needs, the paperwork is minimal and is done by an Apprenticeship Representative based on information from you.
There is no fee to establish a Registered Apprenticeship Program. The employer pays the Apprentices for the work they perform and there are several pay options for the cost of the related instruction.
A sponsor pledges to train the worker(s) to no less than the industry’s minimum standards and ATP grants the credentials.
Registered apprenticeship approval includes:
- Apprenticeship Standards
- A signed Apprenticeship Agreement
- On-going compliance visits by program representatives
Upon completion completion of the program: ATP sends the sponsor a Certificate of Completion for his/her Apprentice. The certificate verifies that the Apprentice has reached journeyman status.
This certificate is recognized by: the industry; all 50 states and the Federal Government.
The Bottom Line
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Apprenticeship is a smart business decision and an investment in the future success of your business
To register your business as an Apprenticeship Sponsor, contact:
The area field representative
or
Apprenticeship & Training Program
Workforce Services Division
P.O. Box 1728
Helena MT 59624-1728
Phone: (406) 444-3998
Fax: (406) 444-3037
