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Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Programs

Registered apprenticeship is a time tested “earn-and-learn” workforce development model that provides family-supporting wages to apprentices in existing, new and high-demand industries throughout Minnesota resulting in highly skilled workers.

Purpose

The purpose of a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program is to prepare individuals to gain the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to enter a registered apprenticeship program (RAP) and succeed.

Apprenticeship Minnesota has created a process to recognize programs that ensures participants receive consistent and quality training needed to succeed in registered apprenticeship programs while meeting employer and industry needs.

What is a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program?

A Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program is designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship program. Using guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, programs must include the following elements: 

  1. Training and curriculum aligned with the skills and competencies, which includes meaningful hands-on training, needed to meet minimum selection criteria for entry into approved registered apprenticeship programs in Minnesota. 

  2. Access to supportive services to assist individuals with entry into a registered apprenticeship program and retaining employment.  

  3. Opportunities to attain at least one industry-recognized credential during the preparation program. 

  4. A documented partnership with one or more registered apprenticeship programs indicating their support for the apprenticeship preparation program. 

  5. An outreach strategy to increase opportunities for all populations to participate in a registered apprenticeship program.

What are the requirements of a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program?

Program must implement the following requirements to qualify for recognition by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry:

1. Training and curriculum aligned with the skills and competencies, which includes meaningful hands-on training, needed to meet minimum selection criteria for entry into approved registered apprenticeship programs in Minnesota.

This requirement ensures the apprenticeship preparation program provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to enter a registered apprenticeship program and meets industry standards for entry-level workers while allowing for flexibility in the program design.

A Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program must provide a minimum of 120 hours of training, or an amount of training approved by a supporting RAP, to participants covering the skills and competencies deemed necessary for entry into a registered apprenticeship which includes classroom education, meaningful hands-on training and workplace readiness training.

Hands-on training must be provided in a lab, or a volunteer or work-based learning environment, which simulates industry conditions. The apprenticeship preparation program must ensure proper supervision is provided and all applicable safety protocols including the use of personal protective equipment are always followed. For construction training programs, participants must be 18 years of age or older.

The training and curriculum must be reviewed and approved by a minimum of one or more partnering apprenticeship programs registered and recognized by Apprenticeship Minnesota. A letter of support from the approving registered apprenticeship program(s) will need to be provided to Apprenticeship Minnesota as part of the recognition process.  

2.  Access to supportive services to assist individuals with entry into a registered apprenticeship program and retaining employment.

Support services are any service intended to assist individuals with an assessed or expressed need to ensure success in completing the apprenticeship preparation program, gaining and retaining employment or addressing other identified barriers. The apprenticeship preparation program may directly provide supportive services or facilitate referrals to other agencies/organizations capable of providing supportive services.

Supportive services may include both financial and non-financial supports such as stipends, career exploration, mentoring, transportation assistance, childcare, dependent care, rehabilitative services, textbooks, tools, emergency grants and other types of services necessary for an individual to succeed.

All Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Programs must provide career counseling to connect participants to registered apprenticeship opportunities.

3. Opportunities to attain at least one industry-recognized credential during the preparation program. 

The completion of a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program must allow participants to obtain a minimum of one industry-recognized credential. The credential must be applicable to the training provided, approved by a partnering apprenticeship program registered and recognized by Apprenticeship Minnesota.

There should be no costs incurred by a program participant to obtain an industry-recognized credential or to participate in the apprenticeship preparation program.

4. A documented partnership with one or more registered apprenticeship program which provides pre-apprenticeship program completers direct or preferred entry into the registered apprenticeship program. 

Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Programs should not only provide education and training developed in partnership with a registered apprenticeship program, but also offer those completing these programs an opportunity to successfully enter an apprenticeship.

The letter of support from a registered apprenticeship program must include an articulation agreement or language regarding the following the following:

  • Direct entry or preferred entry:  Consideration for entry into an apprenticeship should be afforded to individuals who have successfully completed a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program by the partnering RAP. Direct entry would be a mechanism that would qualify the completer to directly enter the partner's program. Preferred entry would grant a completer with, at minimum, a guaranteed interview with the RAP or one of their participating employers.

  • Advanced standing or credit for prior learning experience:  The supporting RAP will outline the amount of advanced standing or credit for prior learning experience that may be granted to a completer upon entry into their apprenticeship program. Advanced standing or credit may be applied to on-the-job learning or related technical instruction hours.

  • The completion of a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program does not guarantee anyone entry in to, or employment with, a RAP. All organizations applying for recognition must ensure all participants are made aware of this prior to beginning their program. Notice may be provided on the program’s participant application or enrollment form or via a policy notice posted at the training location.

5. An outreach strategy to increase opportunities for all populations to participate in a registered apprenticeship program.

Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Programs must be inclusive of all populations who may benefit from registered apprenticeship. To ensure all populations are being reached, all recognized apprenticeship preparation programs should have a documented outreach plan to recruit participants to their program. This requirement aligns with those required for all RAPs under 29 C.F.R. Part 30.

All Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program must have an anti-harassment/discrimination policy and a policy for providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with a disability.

Requirements to become a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program

To be considered for recognition by Apprenticeship Minnesota as a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program, organizations must provide the following:

1. A completed Application for Recognition as a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program

The Application for Recognition as a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program is available here and requires the following information:

  • Contact information for the applicant’s program.

  • Program entry requirements: What are the minimum requirements for interested individuals to enter the program? Requirements may include, but are not limited to: minimum age, educational requirements such as a high school diploma or equivalency, driver’s license or other requirements.

  • Program application process: Provide an overview of the application process outlining the following:

    • How and where to apply for consideration into the program;

    • When applications are accepted; and

    • List any assessments an interested person would need to complete if required.

  • An overview of the program structure including what occupations or industries the training is related to, the length of the program and what percentage of the training is classroom-based and hands-on instruction.

  • A description of industry-recognized credentials and other credentials participants can earn during the program.

  • A description of supportive services the organization may provide to participants.

  • An overview of the applicant’s outreach strategy for recruiting participants from underrepresented and underserved populations in their community.

2. Letter(s) of support from a registered apprenticeship program

The letter(s) of support must be on the registered apprenticeship program’s official letterhead and detail the following:

  • Notice that the registered apprenticeship program has reviewed the applicant’s training curriculum and it meets industry and occupational standards needed for entry into their program.

  • An outline of how the registered apprenticeship program will give program completers an opportunity to enter their apprenticeship program. This will include whether direct entry/preferred entry will be used, or the total number of hours that may be awarded for advanced standing or prior learning.  

  • An overview of other services or supports the registered apprenticeship program will provide such as facility and jobsite tours, mock interviews or guidance on curriculum development.

3. Additional supporting documentation

The registered apprenticeship program must provide the following supporting documentation:

  • A copy of the applicant’s anti-harassment/discrimination policies.

  • A copy of the applicant’s reasonable accommodation policy.

  • A copy of the applicant’s notice/policy to participants that entry into or employment with a RAP is not guaranteed.

Approval process for applicants

To be considered as a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program, submit a completed application and all supporting documents to Apprenticeship Minnesota via email at dli.apprenticeship@state.mn.us. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Applicants will receive notice of approval or denial within 45 days of Apprenticeship Minnesota receiving the application package.

Apprenticeship Minnesota will review all submitted applications and supporting documents. Approval for recognition will be based on the responses provided demonstrating the applicant’s ability to meet the outlined requirements of a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program.

Applicants who are approved for recognition will receive a notice and a certificate of approval from Apprenticeship Minnesota. Approval of a Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program will be valid for two years from the date of approval. The organization may re-apply for continued recognition within three months of the expiration of their approval.

Applicants who are denied approval will be provided with recommendations from Apprenticeship Minnesota for improving their program to meet the requirements for approval. Denied applicants may reapply for recognition.

All Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program will have their information made available to the public and listed on Apprenticeship Minnesota’s website.

Questions?

For help with questions contact dli.apprenticeship@state.mn.us.