Apprenticeship

The City College of San Francisco in cooperation with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) and local joint apprenticeship Committees offers "related training" apprenticeship programs in designated trades or occupations. Apprenticeship on-the-job training is not offered by the College, but by employers who participate in apprenticeship programs. Most traditional apprenticeship programs are three to five years in length, similar to a four-year bachelor's degree program.

Apprenticeship is designed to prepare individuals, generally a high school graduate, and produce highly qualified and well-trained workers who have solid knowledge as well as specific, technical job skills for occupations in the skilled trades and crafts. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, the State of California Department of Industrial Relations California Apprenticeship Council awards a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship in the trade.

Recently, the California Community College Chancellors Office introduced the California Apprenticeship Initiative to apply the apprenticeship model to create pathways to in demand, high wage and high-growth careers. Community colleges, employers, industry leaders, and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards collaborate to develop registered apprenticeship programs for high-demand jobs such as information security (cybersecurity) analyst, the College’s newest apprenticeship program.

Persons interested in seeking apprentice status and enrollment in apprenticeship "related training" classes not listed in this catalog should contact the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards or the local sponsoring joint apprenticeship committee. For more information about apprenticeship programs supported by the College, contact the individuals listed here.

How Does Apprenticeship Work?

Apprentices:

  • Apply to the program
  • Are introduced to employers who are hiring apprentices
  • If hired, sign an apprenticeship agreement, and are paid, full-time, and receive on-the-job training (OJT) that allows them to gain real world experience
  • Participate in ongoing related instruction to further enrich their knowledge and skills , while applying these skills in the real world environment
  • Wages increase as skills are learned and applied
  • If the apprentice fulfills all of the training and OJT requirements, they are likely to be hired by the company at journeyperson wage.

Employers:

  • “Subscribe” to the apprenticeship program
  • Enhance the DAS minimum requirements to meet unique training needs and selection criteria
  • Join the program’s employer apprenticeship committee to play a role in improving and managing the standards
  • Interview and hire from a pool for diverse talent pre-qualified by the Collge
  • Execute the apprentice agreement for submission and approval by the apprenticeship committee
  • Assign a ”journeyperson”/mentor to the apprentice to help develop skills for proficiency in the required OJT work processes
  • Ensure that the apprentice completes OJT work hours: required months in the program, and required related and supplemental instruction

Apprenticeship Programs