Work · Skills and training

Apprenticeships

A Registered Apprenticeship is a real, paid job from day one, with a mentor, on-the-job learning plus classroom training, guaranteed raises as your skills grow, and a nationally recognized credential at the end. They cover more than 1,000 occupations, from electricians to health care and cybersecurity. Search the free Apprenticeship Job Finder and apply directly to the employer or sponsor; never pay a fee to apply.

Easy15 min to read; 1 hour to search and applyFree to applyChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

A rough idea of fields you'd like to try
A short resume or list of work experience
Your high school diploma or transcript, in case a program asks

What to know

Know what you're getting. Registered Apprenticeship means paid work from your first day, on-the-job learning and job-related classroom training, a mentor, progressive wage increases and a portable, nationally recognized credential. Source: Apprenticeship.gov¹
Think beyond construction. Apprenticeships span more than 1,000 occupations, including health care, cybersecurity, information technology and energy. Source: Apprenticeship.gov²
Search openings with the Apprenticeship Job Finder by field and location. Source: Apprenticeship.gov¹
Apply directly with the employer or program sponsor, and send your questions about a specific opportunity to them. Source: Apprenticeship.gov¹
Ask before you commit. Program length varies by employer, occupation, industry and type of program, so ask how long it is. Source: Apprenticeship.gov² Also ask: Is it a Registered Apprenticeship? What's the starting wage and when do raises happen? Who pays for classes and tools?
Check the pay at the end. Compare what fully trained workers earn in the Occupational Outlook Handbook or CareerOneStop's Salary Finder, which shows wages by job and location.
Get free help. Nearly 2,300 American Job Centers help people search for jobs and find training, Source: CareerOneStop⁴ and they can help you land an apprenticeship. Source: Apprenticeship.gov¹ Find yours with the American Job Center Finder.

Watch out Apprenticeship isn't the same as an internship. The Labor Department says they generally differ in length, structure, mentorship, pay, credentials and college credit. Source: Apprenticeship.gov² If a credential matters to you, confirm the program is registered. And never pay a fee just to apply for a job. Source: FTC⁹

Apprenticeship or Job Corps?

How the main options compare, from the sources linked here.

	Registered Apprenticeship	Job Corps
Who	Anyone hired by an employer or sponsor	Generally low-income 16- to 24-year-olds who meet citizenship or work-authorization and background requirements Source: Job Corps⁶
Pay	A wage from day one, with guaranteed raises Source: Apprenticeship.gov¹	Free housing, meals, basic medical care and a living allowance Source: Job Corps⁵
Cost to you	Free to apply	Always free; fully federally funded Source: Job Corps⁶
You finish with	A nationally recognized credential Source: Apprenticeship.gov¹	Career training; help getting a diploma or equivalent and a driver's license; job placement help Source: Job Corps⁶

Questions to ask a sponsor

Is this a Registered Apprenticeship, and what credential do I earn? Source: Apprenticeship.gov¹
How long is the program? Source: Apprenticeship.gov²
What's the starting wage, and on what schedule does it go up?
Where and when are classes, and who pays for them?
Do I need my own tools or a driver's license?

See it done

Video by USDepartmentofLabor Government

Five Key Elements of Registered Apprenticeship

Watch on YouTube: Five Key Elements of Registered Apprenticeship

2026 · Checked October 3, 2026

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

No openings near you right now? Programs post on their own schedules. Set a reminder to search again every month, and widen your distance or field.
Turned down? Ask what would make you a stronger applicant next time, and whether there's a waitlist.
Not sure which field fits? An American Job Center can help you explore options and training. Source: CareerOneStop⁴

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Lost your paperwork later?

Copies of a Certificate of Completion come from the Labor Department's Office of Apprenticeship or your State Apprenticeship Agency; the Verify My Apprenticeship page may have your records. Source: Apprenticeship.gov²

Job Corps

Job Corps is a free, residential training program for eligible young adults 16 through 24, with 120-plus campuses. If you live with your parents and they claim you as a dependent, their income counts toward eligibility. Source: Job Corps⁶ Check JobCorps.gov for openings.

Weighing your options

See College, trade school or work.

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov Become an apprentice
U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov Apprenticeship FAQs
U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov Apprenticeship Job Finder
CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor American Job Center Finder
U.S. Department of Labor, Job Corps Job Corps
U.S. Department of Labor, Job Corps Job Corps FAQs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor Salary Finder
Federal Trade Commission Job scams

Lesson W7.2 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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