How to Enter an Apprenticeship

These are general guidelines, as the procedure to enter an apprenticeship is slightly different from trade to trade.

1. Select a trade.
Many occupations train through the apprenticeship system, and new occupations are regularly approved for apprenticeship training.

See the list at Apprenticeship Instruction at MATC for possible apprenticeships that may interest you.

You may also explore occupations that provide apprenticeships through the MATC Oak Creek Campus apprenticeship office, 6665 S. Howell Avenue, Oak Creek, 414-571-4743, triscarn@matc.edu

A helpful website is the Milwaukee Building Trades Apprenticeship Overview, www.milwbuildingtrades.org/apprenticeships.htm

If you need help in deciding which occupation may be right for you, contact the Student Employment Services office at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, Room S203, 414-297-6244, ses@matc.edu

2. Apply for an Apprenticeship.

Some trades have specific requirements that you must fulfill before you enter an apprenticeship. For many trades, your first step is to contact the trade's local Joint Apprenticeship Committee office, attend an orientation and fill out an application. See the descriptions of apprenticeships at Apprenticeship Instruction at MATC for application procedures about each of the trades, or see Contact Information for office locations. Also visit www.milwbuildingtrades.org/apprenticeships.htm. Apprenticeship committees often maintain a waiting list of applicants who have successfully passed the test and interviews.

Some trades allow you to apply directly to the employer’s personnel or hiring office. Apprenticeship openings are sometimes listed with the local Wisconsin Job Service office, newspaper employment ads, online job-search engines, or through MATC's Student Employment Services office, ses@matc.edu

Often, the best chance to obtain an apprenticeship is to find an employer willing to hire you and then persuade him or her to provide skilled training.

3. Get Prepared through B.I.G. -- S.T.E.P.

Minimum entry requirements for apprenticeships include good math and reading skills. If you need to bring your academic skill levels up to the required levels, B.I.G. – S.T.E.P. can help. In fact, some employers and committees request applicants to go to B.I.G. – S.T.E.P. before coming to them. This nonprofit organization provides free help to apprenticeship applicants, including information about apprenticeship opportunities, test-taking and skills building. E-mail ebusord@wrtp.org or call 414-962-5067, 532 E. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee.

To be eligible, you must have a high school diploma or GED, mechanical abilities and the physical strength to perform the work required in the selected trade.