Skill trades offer opportunities for in-demand and profitable careers for those interested in working with their hands.
File Photo
Skill trades offer opportunities for in-demand and profitable careers for those interested in working with their hands.
File Photo
Over the last few decades, apprenticeship programs have become increasingly vital tools for employers to fill high-demand jobs, and for workers to gain skills while earning a living.
They’re not just exclusive to the trades, either.
According to the nonprofit Opportunity@Work, more than half of all occupations in the U.S. now have apprenticeship programs.
In Pennsylvania, there were 1,550 registered apprenticeships as of December 2024, based on data gathered from the Keystone Research Center.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, building trades currently account for nearly 70% of Pennsylvania’s active apprentices.
This demonstrates “the continued importance of apprenticeship in developing the Commonwealth’s skilled workforce,” the department said.
“Now’s the time to get into an apprenticeship if you ever wanted to because there’s so much support out there,” said Christine M. Jensen, executive director of the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Development Board.
While manufacturing and construction apprenticeship programs continue to outnumber other industries, health care/social assistance, educational services, and other service (such as repair service and technician) apprenticeships have expanded in recent years.
Perhaps most importantly, apprenticeship programs give potential employees who might otherwise be overlooked and underrepresented the opportunity to develop necessary skills while getting hands-on experience in that industry.
For instance, shares of women and people of color in PA apprenticeship programs have increased since 2008, with women nearly tripling their percentage of registrants from 2019 to 2023, according to the Keystone Research Center.
“It really is a great model,” said Jensen. “We call it earn as you learn. It’s that hybrid — instead of just going to work and figuring it out, or going to school and waiting to figure out how that all applies, you’re learning while you’re working and earning a salary.”
Since taking office, the Shapiro administration has increased funding for apprenticeships and career and technical education by approximately 60 percent—from $118 million to $193 million, according to information provided by the Department of Labor.
Since the start of the administration in January 2023, Pennsylvania has registered 278 apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
What is an apprenticeship?
According to the Office of Communications of the PA Department of Labor & Industry, a registered apprenticeship “is a proven, employer-driven workforce development model that allows individuals to earn a paycheck while gaining the skills, education, and experience needed for a long-term career.”
Unlike traditional education pathways, apprentices are hired from day one, receive paid on-the-job training, complete related classroom instruction, work alongside experienced mentors, and earn nationally recognized, portable credentials upon completion, the department said.
Additionally, many apprenticeship programs offer college credit for those wishing to pursue further training.
“You also have automatic pay increases built into the process,” Jensen noted.
Successful apprentices receive a nationally recognized industry credential that certifies them as an expert journeyman in the apprenticed occupation, per the state department of labor.
Pennsylvania is a State Apprenticeship Agency state, which means programs are registered and regulated by the PA Department of Labor & Industry rather than the federal DOL Office of Apprenticeship.
In Pennsylvania, staff with the Apprenticeship and Training Office work with employers or other organizations that are interested in becoming a sponsor for an apprenticeship program.
Apprenticeship programs allow workers to come in at their specific skill level.
“Say it’s a two-year program, but you’re coming in with some experience, you may be able to test out of the first six months of the instruction part,” she said.
On the flip side, pre-apprenticeship programs are available for those who need to earn additional skills before qualifying for a Registered Apprenticeship program.
These programs must be linked with an apprenticeship program, and can be delivered by a range of entities, including community-based organizations, high schools, labor organizations, workforce agencies, or community colleges.
“Pre-apprenticeships strengthen this pipeline by preparing future apprentices before they enter employment, allowing employers to recruit individuals who already possess foundational skills and understand workplace expectations,” The Department of Labor said.
Wilkes-Barre Career and Technical Center and West Side Career and Technical Center are two trade schools in Luzerne County that offer this training.
WBACTC offers 22 career and technical programs that allow students to earn a wide variety of certifications in their chosen field.
The most common certifications include Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and first aid/CPR certifications, but every program offers additional certifications specific to its career field.
How to apply
Based on information provided by the Department of Labor, the easiest place to start is the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Office webpage or PA CareerLink®, where individuals can search for registered apprenticeship opportunities across the Commonwealth.
Job seekers can also:
• Visit their local PA CareerLink® office for career counseling and apprenticeship assistance.
• Attend apprenticeship fairs and information sessions.
• Connect directly with employers, labor organizations, community colleges, or apprenticeship sponsors.
• Explore registered pre-apprenticeship opportunities that prepare individuals for entry into a full apprenticeship.
Additionally, the Apprenticeship and Training Office also hosts Apprenticeship Advantage workshops and works closely with workforce partners to connect Pennsylvanians with apprenticeship opportunities.
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