Becoming a registered apprenticeship program sponsor is a great way to develop a highly-skilled workforce while also meeting your business needs. As a sponsoring employer, you will have the opportunity to train and provide mentoring to apprentices in your field, providing them with valuable on-the-job experience. Sponsoring an apprentice can help you to attract and retain top talent, as apprenticeship programs are highly regarded by job seekers. By participating in the registered apprenticeship program, you will also be contributing to the economic growth of your community, as apprenticeships help to build a stronger, more competitive workforce.
Here are the steps you can take to start your own registered apprenticeship program:
- Identify the occupation: Decide on the occupation(s) that you want to train apprentices for. It is possible for your company to offer more than one apprenticeship at a time. Click here to find eligible occupations.
- Develop a training plan: Create a training plan that outlines the skills, knowledge, competencies, and selection procedures required for the occupation(s).
- Develop an outline for related coursework: Identify all relevant coursework and the provider of the courses.
- Once you have all of the necessary information pulled together, head to our Standards Builder to create your online account where you'll begin creating your program. You'll need to enter all of the information listed above when building your employer profile. Once you're finished, we'll review your account and then reach out to complete the registration process. We'll show you how to use our online registration platform, go over any additional requirements, and answer any questions you may have.
- Alternately, consider working with an existing multi-employer sponsoring organization to streamline the process of getting your apprenticeship program up and running. Taking advantage of one of these established programs can help you to launch your program faster and reduce the administrative burden, making it easier for you to train employees using the registered apprenticeship model. Learn more about multi-employer programs below.
- Recruit apprentices: Advertise the apprenticeship program and recruit candidates who meet the qualifications. We're also happy to connect you with individuals who may be a good fit. Connect with one of our specialists at your local Vermont Job Center or contact labor.apprenticeship@vermont.gov for more information and help with finding qualified and interested career seekers to apprentice at your company.
Learn more about sponsor requirements here:
Requirements for Apprenticeship Sponsors Reference Guide
Click here for program development resources.
Multi-Employer Programs
A multi-employer program is a type of Registered Apprenticeship Program where multiple employers work together under the umbrella of a larger, sponsoring organization to provide administrative management of the program, and to organize the related instruction required as part of the program. This approach benefits employers by sharing the costs and responsibilities of training, and creating a pipeline of skilled workers for their industries, while having another entity remain responsible for program compliance and required paperwork.
Our multi-employer programs are offered by colleges, non-profits, unions, or other types of organizations that have taken on the responsibility of designing a program and registering it with the Vermont Department of Labor in order to reduce the burden of management on small, individual businesses. A list of multi-employer programs can be found here. Among them are CCV, Vermont Technical College, VT Rural Water Association, and more.
In order to take advantage of the opportunities provided by a multi-employer sponsor, you must agree to follow all of the requirements established by the sponsor and are required to sign an employer acceptance agreement stating such.
For more information on an occupation specific program, run by one of the registered multi-employer programs, contact the sponsoring organization.