An apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Generally, these programs consist of 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and roughly 600 hours of classroom instruction. Apprenticeship programs are company sponsored and overseen by joint apprenticeship committees. These committees are responsible for selecting apprenticeship candidates based on rigorous entry requirements. Students interested in apprenticeship programs must apply for an apprenticeship position in order to be considered for an apprenticeship program.
The RMTC works with the regional USDOL Office of Apprenticeship representative to assist companies in designing, registering, and implementing apprenticeship programs. For more information on apprenticeships, contact the RMTC Director or go to http://www.doleta.gov/oa/getstarted.cfm.
The injunction on the statutory requirements for electrical apprentice training set forth in PA 217 of 1956, the Electrical Administrative Act, was lifted in September 2008. The requirement mandates that all electrical apprentices must be participating in an electrical apprenticeship training program approved by the Electrical Administrative Board. The programs must be equivalent to those imposed by the United States Department of Labor office of Apprenticeship.
On October 2, 2009, the board approved the framework for electrical apprenticeship training programs to be used by program providers in the development of their training programs for Electrical Apprentices (Apprenticeship Electricians RTI Model).
This means that all Electrical Apprentices must be registered with the State of Michigan in order to apply for and take the State licensing exam. The State Application for Apprenticeship reads as follows: (use the following website as the link: )
The department of labor shall issue a certificate of registration to a person seeking registration
upon satisfactory proof of the person's participation in a bona fide apprenticeship training program
approved by the board. This program shall be equivalent to the requirements of those imposed by
the United States department of labor bureau of apprenticeship and training, subject to subsection.
For more information visit the State of Michigan Electrical Division website.
In order to help area companies comply with the new state regulations, the RMTC has laid out a USDOLOA Electrical Program of Study to meet the 450 core hour requirement. The RMTC can also help companies select additional courses from the RMTC Electricity Electronics Program to meet the remaining 126 hour requirement. Contact Kevin Barnes, RMTC Electricity Electronics Instructor, at 269.965.4137 ext. 2844 or barnesk@kellogg.edu to schedule a meeting to learn more about this new requirement.