Having a close relative in the trade used to be an advantage in competing for an apprenticeship. Having a skilled craftworker in the family may help an applicant find out about openings. But, under law, all applicants must be qualified to enter registered programs and be treated equally during the selection process without regard to race, religion, color, sex, or national origin. The Requirements Generally, program sponsors look for prospective apprentices who have the mechanical and mental abilities to master the techniques and technology of a trade. Therefore, sponsors set qualification standards that applicants must meet.
Requirements vary from trade to trade, program to program, and plan to plan.
For example, an applicant may be required to pass an aptitude test, hold a high school diploma, meet an age requirement, pass occupationally essential physical requriements, have acceptable school grades, have work experience in a similar field, and be interviewed. Other programs may have more specific requirements, such as a driver's license or the ability to work with a team. In accordance with child labor laws, the minimum allowable age for an apprentice is 16 years. The apprentice should have an individualized SEOP in place at the high school. If the student falls behind or drops out of school, the apprenticeship is dissolved.