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So where will you get the talent you need?

1. Do you stop looking and hope you can manage with the staff you have?

2. Do you take on someone who may not have the skills you need and hope they work out?

3. Or do you hire an apprentice and train them to your own requirements?

We recommend option three (3). Hire and train an apprentice. It’s the best way to create the certified professionals you need to sustain and grow your business.

For contractors, participating in a registered apprenticeship is good for business.
America’s workforce is aging. As the baby boomers begin to retire, they will take with them a lifetime of skills and expertise, leaving potential gaps in the labor force and a demand for younger, skilled workers. Meanwhile, to compete in a global economy, employers need employees with increasingly specialized skills, and these employees are hard to find and keep.
A growing shortage of skilled workers, coupled with increased demand, means that industry and the trades will need to work hard to attract and retain qualified candidates. Registered apprenticeships, in which employees train under the direction of seasoned journey workers, are one good way businesses can prepare for the shifting demographics of the workforce.
In contrast to previous generations, today’s workers are accustomed to holding many jobs with many companies, and are comfortable jumping from one employer to the next in search of higher wages, better benefits and more opportunities. Apprenticeships foster loyalty, provide a pathway to family wage jobs and provide employers with a significant return on investment.

Benefits of Using Apprentices and the Apprenticeship Program

Companies that offer apprenticeship programs know that these programs make good financial sense.

Here’s why:

Apprenticeship programs give a sound return on your investment.

A recent study showed that the financial benefits of apprenticeship training programs exceed the cost for 15 different trades. On average, for each dollar invested, employers receive a benefit of $1.38—a net return of $0.38.

Apprenticeships put a skilled and trained workforce at your fingertips.

Apprenticeship programs ensure that you have skilled workers who are familiar with your standards. You determine exactly what skills you need, and design a training and educational program to foster those skills.

“Homegrown” employees are more productive.

A journeyperson who trained as an apprentice within your organization will naturally be more productive, since he or she is already familiar with company standards and procedures. That means your employees will spend their time contributing to your bottom line, not getting up to speed.

Apprenticeships foster loyalty.

There’s something intangible about the loyalty workers feel to a company that values them enough to invest time and money to help them reach their career goals. Training apprentices in your business creates skilled and experienced employees, many of whom will stay with you for the long term.

Registered apprenticeships are made up of the following components:

Structured and supervised training

  • Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training under the direction of experienced journeyworkers (skilled workers proficient in a certain job class)
  • Related instruction (minimum of 144 hours each year) is provided by the Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA) Education Trust Fund.
  • Apprenticeships typically last from one to six years.

Laws and regulations

  • Registered apprenticeships are governed by federal and state laws.
  • Parties enter into a written agreement called an apprenticeship registration that specifies length of training, related school requirements, an outline of the skills of the trade to be learned and wages the apprentice will receive.
  • Apprentices earn wages during the term of their apprenticeship.
  • Wages are a portion of the skilled wage rate and increase throughout the training program in accordance with a predetermined wage scale.

Credentials

  • Successful completion of a registered apprenticeship program leads to a nationally recognized certificate of completion and official journeyworker status.

Responsibilities

  • Apprentices manage their time, keep work records, attend classes and progress in their apprenticeship program. Apprentices may also be required to pay for tuition or books.
  • Employers pay wages, oversee on-the-job training, monitor attendance at training classes and evaluate progress

How do I get started?

Email Alexa Kochen akochen@azbuilders.org to get all the necessary information and resources to get started in an apprenticeship.

New Students, Apply Online

Some of her clients have this to say:

“The ABA’s Electrical Apprenticeship program provides life changing opportunities for individuals looking to advance their career in the electrical industry. Graduates from this program gain new skills and knowledge which in turn, instills more confidence to be stronger leaders in the field. As a graduate, I personally feel that I now had the tools to be successful in my career.”
John ColonnaRural Electric
“It was a great learning environment that gave me the skills that I needed to jump head first into my electrical career. There was a team oriented atmosphere where I met friends and colleagues that would be there for me every step of the way and it was the most rewarding 4 years of my life. Classes are taught by electricians for electricians. The combined experiences of all my teachers helped me understand more than I thought possible and fun learning activities gave me hands on experience with a lot of things that I would later do in the field. A non competitive place where everyone is willing to lend a helping hand into making you the best electrician you can be.”
Gabe FordWilson Electric
With the knowledge I have acquired at Gateway I am able to understand the electrical systems I work with in a way that lets me choose a method that is the most practical for the application. I also can work with confidence in my trade because the knowledge I have learned is handed down from a teaching staff that is well trained and skilled in the ability to teach it..
Bryce D'Angelico
The Apprenticeship Program designed by the ABA is an absolute must for anyone interested in becoming an electrician. What makes the program so great is the instructors and all the knowledge and experience they are so willing to pass on to you. The hands on experience learned in the field coupled with the classroom studying of the code books and why something must be built a certain way, really makes for an informed and confident electrician that will go far in this industry.
Jacob WinnWilson Electric Services Corp.
“The ABA’s Electrical Apprenticeship program provides life changing opportunities for individuals looking to advance their career in the electrical industry. Graduates from this program gain new skills and knowledge which in turn, instills more confidence to be stronger leaders in the field. As a graduate, I personally feel that I now had the tools to be successful in my career.”
John ColonnaRural Electric
“The ABA program has taught me things me things the journeyman I work with couldn’t. The ABA is very important for anyone that wants to be an electrician, or skilled tradesman.”
Jason LongCorbins Electric
“My name is Richard Gallagher and I really enjoy being in the ABA program. I fill I am learning more every day. I would recommend it to anyone.”
Richard GallagherCorbins Electric
“It was a great learning environment that gave me the skills that I needed to jump head first into my electrical career.There was a team oriented atmosphere where I met friends and colleagues that would be there for me every step of the way and it was the most rewarding 4 years of my life. Classes are taught by electricians for electricians. The combined experiences of all my teachers helped me understand more than I thought possible and fun learning activities gave me hands on experience with a lot of things that I would later do in the field. A non competitive place where everyone is willing to lend a helping hand into making you the best electrician you can be.”
Gabe FordWilson Electric
I came into the trade very green and eager to learn. It was a lot to take in at first, but as time went on I really enjoyed the way the classes were structured. I really enjoyed the hands on training in the classroom, my favorite was the motor controls. The four year program went by very quickly and I highly recommend it for any new apprentices coming into the trade. I think it should be mandatory. Knowledge is power.
James BecknamWilson Electric
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Phoenix Office:
2552 W. Erie, Ste. 106
Tempe, AZ 85282
602-274-8222

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1661 N. Swan, Ste. 144
Tucson, AZ 85712
520-881-7930

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