Apprenticeship Programs: a win/win solution

Apprenticeships are government-approved training programs that combine a job with practical training.
In a nutshell, apprentices are entry-level workers who split their time between working in your company (4 days per week) and following a training program to acquire in-demand skills (1 day per week).
An apprenticeship program usually lasts one year but can be longer depending on the employer, the complexity of the occupation, the industry, and the type of program.

The differences between apprenticeships and internships fall into the following areas: length of time, structure, mentorship, pay, credentials, eligibility criteria, and college credit.

Apprenticeship programs are open to every entry-level worker, aged 16 and over, who successfully completes the admission process.
All companies are eligible to hire apprentices or upskill existing employees. Apprenticeships are suitable for people at any level of employment.

There are several reasons why hiring apprentices can benefit your company. The main reasons are:
- You'll be able to easily recruit and develop a highly skilled workforce to fill today’s most in-demand jobs such as data analysts, IT technicians, digital marketers, and software developers.
- You'll minimize your costs by reducing turnover and increasing retention (92% of apprentices continue employment after completing an apprenticeship).
- You'll foster a diverse and inclusive culture leading to higher productivity and a positive impact on your bottom line (On average, employers realize an average return on investment of $1.47 for every $1 invested).
- You'll be able to receive tax credits and employee tuition benefits as each year the US Department of Labor (DOL) announces funding opportunities.

Every registered apprenticeship program (RAP) includes:
- Paid job: Apprentices are paid employees who produce high-quality work while acquiring in-demand skills.
- On-the-job learning: Develops skilled workers through structured learning in a work setting.
- Classroom learning: Implements a curriculum of job-related skills through education (virtual or in-person).
- Mentorship: A skilled professional supports and enhances apprentices' critical hands-on learning in their field of expertise.
- Credentials: Portable, nationally recognized credentials issued to apprentices at the completion of the program.
At OpenClassrooms, our learning model perfectly fits the requirements as our apprenticeship training programs already include an online curriculum, mentorship, and project-based learning.

Implementing successful apprenticeships requires competencies in building a curriculum that respects federal standards and ensures apprentice skill acquisition.
As a school, we have already designed top-quality learning content and programs that allow anyone to acquire from scratch the skills required for digital jobs.
Contact us to discuss your needs.

At OpenClassrooms, mentors are the cornerstone of our online pedagogy. Our mentors are experts in the field who meet your apprentices once a week by video call. They provide support and feedback on the apprentice’s progress on portfolio projects that form part of our training programs.
The workplace advisor is one of your existing employees who will be your apprentice’s point of contact in the workplace. The workplace advisor will onboard and accompany your apprentice during their daily tasks in your company.
Contact us to learn more.