Developing an apprenticeship program in Connecticut involves identifying a trade or occupation with assistance from the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship Training. Other requirements include the following:
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An employer identifies a trade or occupation that requires at least 2,000 hours of hands-on training. The Connecticut Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship Training assists employers in making this determination.
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The employer agrees to the requirements of the apprenticeship training program which, when approved by the Office of Apprenticeship Training, become the standards for training.
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Apprenticeship training is typically for higher-level skilled occupations. Additionally, 144 hours a year of occupationally related classroom training are required. Upon completion of the program, the apprentice receives a nationally recognized Certificate of Completion in the occupation.
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Apprentice wages start at a percentage of journeyperson wages (a journeyperson is someone who has completed an apprenticeship or is recognized/classified as a skilled person and possesses a valid card of occupational license when required). An apprentice should progress during training to the journeyperson wage at the completion of the training program.
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Apprenticeship training should lead to continuous employment for a veteran who completes the program.