Apprentices work on actual job sites under the supervision of qualified journey workers. The training may include courses in mathematics, sciences, and other craft-related technical subjects. A journey worker is a person fully skilled in a trade. Some trades also have a master, which is a higher level of skilled worker. New apprentices typically earn 50 percent of the journey worker wage and, if progress is satisfactory, they usually receive increases every 6 months.
Qualifications vary from program to program.
Almost all require a high school diploma or GED certificate, some basic mathematics and science courses, aptitude and the physical ability to perform the work. If you are a woman who needs assistance or training to qualify for entry into a non-traditional trade, you should contact your local DET Career Resource Center. The Apprenticeship Division currently has over 700 Vermonters registered in more than 40 skilled trades. All are employed in the crafts of their choice and, when they complete the program, enjoy continued employment at a higher, skilled rate of pay. These programs include electrical, plumbing, machine tool, sheet metal, and printing.