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Recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship to act on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor, ApprenticeshipNC is the State Apprenticeship Agency authorized to register apprenticeship programs tailored to meet employers’ needs. The ApprenticeshipNC Team works with employers, educational institutions, and community partners to foster and expand Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs across North Carolina. The agency also acts as an information source for individuals interested in pursuing career opportunities through Registered Apprenticeship.

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Myth: ApprenticeshipNC is a program. 
Truth: ApprenticeshipNC is not a program. ApprenticeshipNC is the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) authorized to register Apprenticeships in North Carolina.
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Myth: Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are only for individuals interested in the skilled trades. 
Truth: Though Registered Apprenticeships are popular in the skilled trades, they are available in over 1,200 occupations! This includes healthcare, IT, education, and finance.
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Myth: Registered Apprentices are unpaid or underpaid. 
Truth: Registered Apprentices are paid employees from day one of their Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). They are also paid via a progressive wage scale, meaning their pay increases as their skills development. Upon program completion, apprentices make $10,000 more a year than their non-apprentice colleagues.
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Myth: Registered Apprenticeships are only open to young adults. 
Truth: RAPs are open to individuals ages 16-60, including high school students and recent graduates, incumbent workers, veterans, justice impacted individuals, and those looking for a career change.
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Myth: Registered Apprenticeship Programs are the same as internships. 
Truth: Unlike internships, Registered Apprenticeships are structured programs that must adhere to specific standards. They involve a combination of on-the-job training under an experienced mentor and supplemental education. RAPs culminate in a Journeyworker credential, which is a nationally recognized certificate of skills mastery.
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Myth: RAPs are for individuals who are not "college material." 
Truth: Registered Apprenticeships are a type of higher education. Registered Apprentices receive industry credentials, and many earn college credit and even degrees.

A Time-Tested Workforce Model 
Apprenticeship has long been a cornerstone of workforce development, dating back to Feudal Europe, where apprentices learned trades such as blacksmithing, masonry, tailoring, or weaving. Back then, apprentices typically worked and often lived with a master for nearly a decade, earning little to no wages during their training. Upward economic mobility was rare, and the focus was primarily on preserving craftsmanship and technical knowledge across generations. This model laid the foundation for the Industrial Revolution.
 
The Evolution of Apprenticeship in the U.S. 
Apprenticeships took root in the American colonies, evolving from informal agreements into structured programs. By the early 20th century, federal and state legislation — most notably the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 — established national standards for Registered Apprenticeship Programs, ensuring quality training and worker protections. In the time since, Registered Apprenticeship has evolved immensely. The U.S. DOL recognizes over 1,200 apprentice-able occupations, including IT, teachers, advanced manufacturing, accounting, the skilled trades, and the full spectrum of healthcare including licensed and registered nurses. Their goal is to ensure employers have access to skilled talent pipelines while providing apprentices with the knowledge, connections, and skills needed to build successful careers.

State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAAs) are governmental bodies recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship to act on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor to register and oversee programs in their recognized state. As a SAA, ApprenticeshipNC plays a crucial role in ensuring that programs meet federal, state, and industry standards while providing access to high-quality training for workers. Key attributes:
<ul>
	<li>Registration of Apprenticeship Programs: SAAs are responsible for registering apprenticeship programs that meet specific standards set by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) or state-level requirements. These standards include the duration of the program, types of training offered, wages, and conditions for apprentices.</li>
	<li>Monitoring and Oversight: They monitor the quality and compliance of Registered Apprenticeship Programs, ensuring that employers adhere to the agreed-upon terms, including proper training, safety standards, and wages for apprentices.</li>
	<li>Support for Employers and Apprentices: SAAs offer guidance and support to both employers and apprentices in the process of setting up, running, or joining Registered Apprenticeship Programs. This can include helping employers develop training plans and assisting apprentices in understanding their rights and responsibilities.</li>
	<li>Promotion and Expansion of Registered Apprenticeship: SAAs work to promote the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship to employers and workers, encouraging the growth and development of Registered Apprenticeships in various industries. They may also help design new programs or adapt existing ones to meet the changing needs of the labor market.</li>
	<li>Compliance with Legal Requirements: SAAs ensure that Registered Apprenticeship Programs comply with both federal and state labor laws.</li>
	<li>Credentialing and Certification: Responsible for issuing certifications or credentials to apprentices upon successful completion of their program, which are recognized at the state and national level.</li>
	<li>Collaboration with Stakeholders: SAAs collaborate with industry associations, unions, educational institutions, and workforce development boards to ensure Registered Apprenticeship Programs align with workforce needs and provide relevant training.</li>
</ul>

North Carolina has a long history of apprenticeship-driven workforce development. The 1939 Voluntary Apprenticeship Act formalized training programs in collaboration with employers, educators, and workforce leaders. Today, ApprenticeshipNC continues this legacy — helping businesses develop skilled talent pipelines and preparing workers for high-demand careers.
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How does Registered Apprenticeship benefit North Carolina?
<ul>
	<li>39, 670 program completers since 1984</li>
	<li>$396.7 Million Incremental Wages - Annually</li>
	<li>$47.6 Million Incremental Sales &amp; Income Tax – Annually</li>
</ul>

Our vision is that North Carolina leads the nation in a skilled workforce, driven by a robust apprenticeship system that equips individuals for success. Our goal is to have 1% of our workforce participating in registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship by 2034.
 
26,300 active apprentices by 2029
52, 600 active apprentices by 2034
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Our strategies were developed by the ApprenticeshipNC team in consultation with the Apprenticeship Council, select Community College Presidents, the North Carolina Community College System Office, and other key stakeholders to address the main strategic issues.
<ol>
	<li>County workforce ecosystem alignment</li>
	<li>Optimized and well-known value proposition</li>
	<li>Communities of Practice, funding, structure, and prioritization of work-based learning</li>
	<li>Grow active Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship</li>
</ol>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://us13.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=b87c89e0e7befd7e63c5ca3f6&amp;amp;id=9f95ceb209" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Newsletter Archive</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://nccommunitycolleges.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b87c89e0e7befd7e63c5ca3f6&amp;id=9f95ceb209" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Join Our Mailing List</a></li>
</ul>

<ul class="ul1">
	<li class="li1"><a href="https://wordpress.nccommunitycolleges.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ApprenticeshipNC-Annual-Report-FY-2023-2024.pdf">ApprenticeshipNC Annual Report FY 2023-2024</a></li>
	<li class="li1"><a href="https://wordpress.nccommunitycolleges.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ApprenticeshipNC-Annual-Report-FY-2022-2023.pdf">ApprenticeshipNC Annual Report FY 2022-2023</a></li>
</ul>

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ApprenticeshipNC helps employers develop Registered Apprenticeship programs that build a skilled, reliable workforce. Our team provides expert guidance to make the process seamless — from program design to registration and implementation.

About ApprenticeshipNC

Our mission is to help employers use registered apprenticeships to build and retain an adaptable, skilled, and effective workforce that meets their current and future needs.

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