Need help navigating the pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and trades process? Start here!

Many students understand that they need additional training after high school in order to be able to earn a living wage in Washington state, but sitting in a college classroom isn't for them. If that sounds familiar, apprenticeship and trades could be a good pathway for you. It allows you to study in hands-on programs, working while learning in a non-traditional setting.

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Funding Opportunities:

Terms to know:

Pre-Apprenticeship Programs (PAP): While many students are hesitant to enroll in a pre-apprenticeship prior to an apprenticeship, it is essential for any competitive apprenticeship programs and gives you a competitive edge for getting accepted. PAP are common in high schools, community colleges, and non-profits in the industry. 

OJT: on the job training - refers to traditional apprenticeship requirement of a specific number of on the job training hours in order to complete program. 

RTI: the classroom instruction component of traditional apprenticeships is called Related Technical Instruction and often has required number of classes or instruction hours apprentices need to complete. 

L&I: Labor and Industries is the managing government department that oversees apprenticeships in Washington State. 

CTE: Career and Technical Education. This typically means programs at community or technical colleges and can be a professional/technical program, applied degree, pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship. 

Professional/Technical Program: Refers to a program (usually at a community college) that is focused on preparing you to go directly into the workforce in one specific career using classroom instruction and usually hands on experience (internships or practicum programs) where you gain experience in the field. You can earn certificate, licensure, or a degree, and these programs typically take 1-2 years. 

Applied Degree Program: Very similar to Professional/Technical programs but it generally applies to programs where you earn an associate or bachelor's degree and does not offer licensure or certification only options. This means that these programs are generally no less than 2 years. An Applied Science degree does not refer to the subject of science but rather the idea of learning and becoming skilled in the knowledge of one particular field (ie: Applied Science Degree-Nursing or Applied Science Degree-Accounting). These programs utilize classroom instruction and hands on experience (internships or practicum programs) to lead directly to career workforce after completion. 

Financial Aid Eligible: This term means that federal and state financial aid funding can be used to pay for the program or cover expenses. If an apprenticeship or CTE program cannot be funded by financial aid, scholarship funding can be used!

Traditional Apprenticeship vs CTE Programs: