Like college, most apprenticeship programs take three to five years to complete. But unlike college, these programs don’t require their participants to go into debt.

Apprentices earn while they learn. They get regular raises as they progress, and when they graduate, they earn journeylevel wages. Apprenticeship graduates earn an average of $53,000 per year plus benefits, according to a recent survey by the Washington State Workforce Education and Training Coordinating Board.

Graduates of apprenticeship programs are certified professionals in their trades. Their credentials are portable and recognized anywhere in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration oversees federal regulations regarding apprenticeship programs. In our state, the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council oversees our system, with the Department of Labor and Industries’ Apprenticeship Section serving as the council’s administrative arm.

Our state has more than 300 occupations with apprenticeship standards in fields ranging from construction to health care to Aerospace manufacturing to the culinary arts. But by far, the largest number of apprentices works in the unionized Building and Construction Trades.

LABOR’S POSITION -- As a training model, apprenticeship is finally getting the recognition and respect it deserves. Organized labor is doing everything possible to ensure that apprenticeship is utilized to address our state’s future workforce development needs. 

The Washington State Labor Council and its affiliated unions have long supported apprenticeship utilization standards that promote apprenticeship by requiring that a certain percentage of the work hours on particular projects be performed by apprentices.

Many major public works projects -- including the 10-year, $6 billion third runway project at SeaTac Airport and the multi-billion dollar Sound Transit project -- have requirements that 15% of the labor hours be preformed by apprentices. Private developers, such as Vulcan Construction, also understand the value of training and have incorporated apprenticeship utilization into many of their contracts.

Washington’s state government has also taken an active role in promoting apprenticeship opportunities for the next generation of workers. In 2000, Gov. Gary Locke issued an executive order requiring that 15% of all labor hours worked on state building projects be performed by apprentices.  In 2005, the first bill signed by newly elected Gov. Chris Gregoire codified that standard. The Legislature voted in 2006 and 2007, respectively, to expand the 15% standard to include Department of Transportation and school district projects, which had previously been exempted.

Under the leadership of Gov. Chris Gregoire, these and other legislative and administrative changes have made Washington a leader in addressing the skills gap in the construction industry. Since February 2006, the Department of L&I has reported a 69% increase in the number of active apprentices in Washington to a total of 15,068, as of May 31, 2008. Of those, about 11% are female and 24% are minorities. These are excellent numbers given that minorities make up just 12% of our workforce.

The Washington State Labor Council and its affiliates will continue to seek expansion of apprenticeship opportunities into new and emerging occupations; for apprenticeship utilization standards on all school construction; to ensure there is adequate funding for these programs to operate; and to hold all apprenticeship programs to the highest standards.

2000 -- Gov. Locke issues an Executive Order setting aside 10% of all work hours on $2 million-plus public works projects be performed by state-certified apprentices. The Order phased-in to 15% utilization at $1 million-plus projects. 

2001 -- SHB 1234 amended state apprenticeship laws to conform with federal apprenticeship regulations, in response to federal audit recommendations. Passed and signed into law. 

2005 -- SB 5097 put into statute Gov. Locke’s executive order on a 15% apprenticeship utilization standard at $1 million-plus public works projects. Passed and signed into law. 

2006 -- SB 6480 removed a Department of Transportation exemption, applying the 15% apprenticeship utilization standard to major DOT projects as well. Passed and signed into law.

2007 -- HB 1898 extended apprenticeship utilization requirements to school district public works projects, setting aside 10% of all work hours on new projects costing $3 million or more, and phasing in to the 15%-$1 million standard by Jan. 1, 2010. Passed and signed into law.

2008 -- Gov. Gregoire announced a new $3 million apprenticeship program for jobs at Boeing and the rest of aerospace industry. Also, SB 6751 allowed workers who leave work to enter certain apprenticeship programs to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Passed and signed into law.