What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program?
A Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a nationally-recognized credential.
PAID JOB
Apprentices earn a competitive wage from day one and wages increase as skills grow.
EDUCATION
Structured learning and on-the-job training help apprentices advance professionally.
CREDENTIALS
Upon completion, apprentices receive a national, industry-recognized credential.
> Earn while you learn – achieve certification while working
> Guaranteed wage increase as you develop new skills
> Receive industry-recognized credential while avoiding student debt
> Gain workplace relevant skills through on-the-job learning
> Advance your career without sacrificing income
> Recruit and develop a diverse and highly skilled workforce
> Improve productivity, profitability, and your bottom line
> Reduce turnover, improve loyalty, and retain top talent
> Address talent shortages and increase competition for hard-to-fill positions
> Vet workers and instill company culture
Explore Apprenticeships
Career Seekers
HEALTHCARE
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas is partnering with local hospital groups and nursing facilities to offer a new Patient Care Technician (PCT) pre-apprentice program. Training will be delivered and monitored by McLennan Community College (MCC). A program director who is a registered nurse with at least two years of nursing home experience and teaching experience will provide oversight of the program. The course consists of written, online, and hands-on assessments to measure a student’s attainment of the required content and includes:
» 60 hours of classroom training
» 40 hours of hands-on resident care in a nursing facility
Upon completion of the course, students will take the National Certified Patient Care Technician competency exam to obtain certification and will be eligible for placement in a local RAP.
SKILLED TRADES
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas is already having great success with its Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) pre-apprenticeship training through its current ApprenticeshipTexas Expansion grant with 15 graduates over the last two years.
Currently, Workforce Solutions collaborates with two local unions (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 72 and Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 529), who assist with training and securing employment for MC3 graduates as first-year apprentices. This program is nationally recognized and approved by the North America’s Building Trades Unitons (NABTU).
Upon completion of the 120-hour training program, each participant will earn the MC3 Certificate of Completion from NABTU and120 hours of continuing education credits from McLennan Community College (MCC). Fields of interest include:
» Electricians
» Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters
» Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
» Carpenters
» Structural Iron and Steel Workers
» Sheet Metal Workers
» Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Coming Soon!
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas is developing an Early Childhood Educator Registered Apprenticeship Program, modeled after the Camp Fire First Texas program in North Texas. Curriculum for the program will be provided by McLennan Community College (MCC), and classroom experience will be provided in partnership with local child care providers. Through this program, early childhood educators in the Heart of Texas region will benefit from paid on-the-job-learning, educational courses and one-on-one coaching in the classroom.
Competency-based mentor/coaching will help apprentices translate coursework into effective teaching practices. Apprentices will also have the opportunity to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate, a Level I College Certificate in Child Development, Associates of Applied Science (AAS) in Child Development, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Child Development and Family Studies at Tarleton University. Tarleton University offers this BA degree on the McLennan Community College campus through the MCC University Center.
More information will be provided once the program is fully developed. Please complete the interest form linked below if you have questions or would like more information.
Grow Your Own Workforce
Businesses
Join an existing apprenticeship or develop your own. Contact our staff to determine the best option for your company and get connected to a new talent pipeline.
PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR:
HEALTHCARE
» Patient Care Technician (PCT) Pre-Apprenticeship Program
SKILLED TRADES
Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Pre-Apprenticeship Program in the following fields of interest:
» Electricians
» Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters
» Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
» Carpenters
» Structural Iron and Steel Workers
» Sheet Metal Workers
» Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Coming Soon!
» Early Childhood Educator Registered Apprentice Program
More information will be provided once the program is fully developed. If you’re a child care provider interested in participating in the program or would like more information, please complete the form linked below.
More Resources
Apprenticeship.gov
Apprenticeship.gov is the one-stop source to connect career seekers, employers, and education partners with apprenticeship resources. Discover apprenticeships across industries, how programs are started by employers, and how to become an apprentice.
Learn more about National Apprenticeship Week (Nov. 14-20, 2022), including how you can get involved!
TWC Apprenticeship Web Page
The Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) apprenticeship web page offers additional statewide information and resources regarding registered apprenticeships.
Career Exploration & Profiles
Take a look at our Heart of Texas Targeted Occupations Guide, which provides a description of each targeted occupation, its starting salary, projected growth over the next 10 years and available training programs. If you need additional help determining what type of career you’re interested in, check out MyNextMove and CareerOneStop. These free online tools can help determine which career and apprenticeship is the best fit for your goals.