Apprenticeship Programs: Growing Careers and Businesses

There are four types of apprenticeship programs:

Individual Non-Joint Programs

• Programs are sponsored by one employer without a union co-sponsor. The employer is responsible for overall program administration and files an application with the Department.
• Employees may be represented by a union. If they are, the union is given an opportunity to review the program application and provide comments to the Department.
• Apprentices can only work for the employer/sponsor.

Individual Joint Programs

• Programs are co-sponsored by one employer along with a union which represents employees.
• Both the employer and union are responsible for overall program administration and file an application with the Department together.
• Apprentices can only work for the employer/sponsor.

Group Non-Joint Programs

• Programs are sponsored by an association or group of employers without a union. The association or group has a Board of Directors or other governing body which acts as the program sponsor.
• Employees may be represented by unions. If they are, the unions are given an opportunity to review the program application and provide comments to the Department.
• New employers may join or leave the program at any time.
• Group programs provide a list of participating employers to the Department at the program’s inception, which is then updated as new employers join or leave.
• Apprentices may work for any participating employer or rotate between participating employers for their work assignments.

Group Joint Programs

• Programs are sponsored by an association or group of employers along with a union by creating a Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC). The JAC’s membership is made up of an equal number of employer and employee representatives and acts as the program sponsor.
• New employers may join or leave the program at any time.
• Group programs provide a list of participating employers to the Department program’s inception, which is then updated as new employers join or leave.
• Apprentices may work for any participating employer or rotate between participating employers for their work assignments.

What are the benefits for businesses?

• Develop a highly skilled workforce.
• Create a pipeline of qualified applicants.
• Increase efficiency and productivity.
• Train workers without losing valuable production time.
• Provide a structured and consistent training program.
• Increase employee retention and attendance.
• Improve employer/employee relationships.
• Earn a reputation of being an industry leader in providing high-quality employment and training opportunities.

Visit this page to sponsor a registered apprenticeship program.

What are the benefits for employees?

• Learn skills you can use throughout your entire career.
• Train with industry leaders, often with decades of experience in their field.
• Earn a salary as you train for your career.
• Grow your salary as you learn more.
• Join companies that pay well and offer great benefits.
• Upon completion, have little-to-no student debt.
• Earn a credential from NYS upon graduation.
• Qualify for highly coveted career opportunities.

Find a complete list of active apprenticeship recruitments.

How to Sponsor a Registered Apprenticeship Program

STEP 1: Contact NYSDOL

First, contact the Apprenticeship Office at:

(518) 457-6820 or [email protected] or visit the website.

A member of our staff will work with you to explain the apprenticeship program, how the process works and the regulations involved. Together we can determine if apprenticeship is right for you and find the right solution for your needs.

We’ll follow that conversation up with an application packet within 2-3 business days and provide any assistance necessary to help you complete it. You can find these forms below.

STEP 2: Facilities Visit:

After our initial conversation and the employer has received the application packet, local apprenticeship staff will visit the place of business to meet with the employer. We want to make sure they can provide the proper on-the-job training and have enough journeyworkers to meet the stated statewide ratio of apprentices to workers.

During this visit, we can also review the application packet and provide any technical assistance.

STEP 3: Select Your Trade

Staff will help you determine which trade(s) best suit your needs.

Existing Trades: Training outlines are immediately available for a wide range of active trades -- from skilled crafts to advanced manufacturing and health care.

New Trades: Staff will conduct a no-cost job study at your place of business and create a training outline. New trades must be reviewed by the Apprenticeship and Training Council, approved by the Commissioner of Labor and posted online for a 30-day comment period.

STEP 4: Select Instruction Providers

All instruction providers must be approved by the NYS Education Department. Staff will help you meet the requirements.

STEP 5: Affirmative Action plan

Employers will complete either an Affirmative Action Pledge (for those sponsors with fewer than 5 apprentices) or the Affirmative Action Plan (for those sponsors with 5 or more apprentices to ensure compliance with Apprenticeship Equal Employment Opportunities Regulations.)

STEP 6: 30-day comment period

All new program applications are posted online for a 30-day public comment period. During that time, staff members review applications to ensure applicants are in compliance with labor laws.

STEP 7: Approval

Your Registered Apprenticeship Program is approved. The program approval process takes two to four months, but each program may vary in length depending on individual circumstances.

STEP 8: Monitoring visits

Local apprenticeship staff will monitor each program twice a year to provide technical assistance and make sure businesses are in compliance with Apprenticeship regulations and policies.

All Application Forms are available online, but online submission is not yet available.

AT 8 Form: Related Instruction Availability Form indicates all related instruction training providers for the full length of the program.

AT 9 Form: Sponsor Information Sheet is used to complete due diligence on program sponsor.

AT 10 Form: Apprenticeship Training Program Registration Agreement outlines provisions for the program.

AT 401 Form: Apprenticeship Agreement is completed to enroll and exit apprentices and for apprentice completions.

AT 602 Form or AT 603 Form: Equal Opportunity Pledge (AT 602) is required for programs with fewer than 5 apprentices. The Affirmative Action Plan (AT 603) is required for programs with 5 or more apprentices to ensure EEO for recruiting and selecting apprentices and operating a program.

The Empire State Apprenticeship Tax Credit (ESATC) provides tax incentives to certified Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors (for group programs, the Tax Credit program is also available to the sponsor’s approved participating signatory employers) for hiring new qualified apprentices on or after January 1, 2018. The tax credit is available through 2022.

A certified employer will be entitled to tax credits against income or franchise tax for each qualified apprentice. Enhanced credits are offered to those who employ disadvantaged youth as apprentices and for those programs who engage the support of a mentor. Qualified apprentices must be employed full-time (a minimum of 35 hours per week) for at least six months during the tax year.

This program is focused on demand occupations throughout the state but excludes construction trades.

Step 1: How do I apply for the ESATC?

Complete the online Employer Application at the following link: https://www.labor.ny.gov/apprenticeship-tax-credit/employer-application. All applications must be received by the NYS Department of Labor no later than December 31, 2018.

Step 2: How do I claim the ESATC?

The Employer’s Final Report Form is coming soon.

Please click here for answers to FAQs.

The NYS Department of Labor has committed up to $4.2 million to expand New York State Registered Apprenticeship by increasing employment opportunities for approximately 800 new apprentices aged 18 and over with a focus on underrepresented populations. These new apprentices will enter into trades in high-demand occupations.

Applicants may apply for up to $100,000 for each award, where up to $5,000 per apprentice is allowed to cover costs associated with training apprentices

What Industries are included under the Apprenticeship Expansion Grant?

This grant will focus on Advanced Manufacturing, Health Care, Information Technology, as well as other in-demand occupations identified by Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) and Local Workforce Development Boards.

View the Apprenticeship Expansion Grant Fact Sheet

How Do I Apply to Participate in the Grant?

The Request for Applications is available on the NYSDOL Website (https://labor.ny.gov/businessservices/funding.shtm) or through Grants Gateway (https://grantsgateway.ny.gov).

Applications will be accepted on an on-going basis through March 29, 2019.

Contact the Apprenticeship Office

Phone: (518) 457-6820

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.labor.ny.gov/apprentice.