Montana Registered Apprenticeship

Earn While You Learn

Are you looking for a new career that will pay you to learn? Apprenticeship is the oldest known form of skills training, and it's a great way to get your foot in the door of an in demand and high paying field. As an apprentice, you'll learn from seasoned professionals who will teach you the skills of their trade. You'll also get paid from day one, while you learn. This allows you to start building your career without having to take on debt. Start a training program today.

Montana's Registered Apprenticeship Program is designed to be structured, yet flexible. We work with employer sponsors to create programs that meet their real-world work situations and skill requirements.

If you're an employer who is interested in sponsoring an apprentice, please contact us today. We'd be happy to answer any questions you have and help you get started.

If you're a career-seeker who is interested in becoming an apprentice, check out these five steps to start your journey.

Registered Apprenticeship: The Basics

Becoming a Montana Registered Apprentice is one option for individuals who would like to join our state’s workforce after graduating from high school. Upon program completion, apprentices will have earned the nationally-recognized Apprenticeship Completion Certificate from the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.

An apprenticeship occupation follows these state and federal guidelines:

Is typically learned through a structured program of supervised on-the-job training.
Is clearly defined and recognized throughout an industry.
Involves special skills and knowledge that requires a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience.
Requires instruction directly related to the occupation to supplement on-the-job training.

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Choose Apprentice or Employer Sponsor

Apprentice

Get Started

Apprenticeships are available in occupations that are as varied as an electrician to brewmaster. Training times vary depending on the program. Once you complete your training, you'll receive a nationally recognized certificate or credential.

Employer Sponsor

Start a Program

Being a Montana Registered Apprenticeship sponsor will help your business recruit quality employees and invest in the future of your company. You’ll build committed workers, training them to meet your specific needs.

Apprenticeships are available in occupations that are as varied as an electrician to brewmaster. Training times vary depending on the program. Once you complete your training, you'll receive a nationally recognized certificate or credential.

Getting Started How do I get an Apprenticeship?

Identify an occupation where you have an interest, aptitude or experience.
Commit to meeting the minimum education requirements, such as a high school diploma, GED or HiSET equivalency test, within six months of start.
Determine whether this will be a good fit. Do you have the commitment, aptitude, work ethic, and attitude to work under the required job conditions?
Get started! You'll be a part of the workforce and start earning a paycheck from Day One. You'll receive on-the-job training from skilled mentors. Once you complete your program, you'll receive a nationally recognized certificate that announces to employers that you are qualified.

Get Started as an Apprentice. Have a Question or Need More Information?

$69,000

Earn

Follow the Money

Apprenticeship graduates earn high wages with their credentials. One year after graduation, apprentices earned an average annual salary of $69,000—$13,100 higher than the statewide average wage. After a 30-year career, that’s nearly $400,000 dollar difference, not even accounting for raises along the way. You’ll start earning a paycheck the first day of your apprenticeship and are employed throughout your entire training program.

Learn

Sought After Skills

You’ll have on-the-job training where you’ll learn in-demand skills. Employers throughout the nation will recognize the credential you receive upon completion of your program.

86%

Of Apprenticeship graduates are employed in Montana after completing their program.

75%

Work with the same employer

Succeed

Jump Start Your Career

Registered Apprentices benefit from:

High paying jobs
Full-time employment
Earn while you learn
Hands-on training
Little or no debt upon completion

Being a Montana Registered Apprenticeship sponsor will help your business recruit quality employees and invest in the future of your company. You’ll build committed workers, training them to meet your specific needs.

Starting a Program How does a Business Receive Apprentices?

Register as a Montana Registered Apprenticeship sponsor. Our program will assist your business in setting up a structured, yet flexible, training program. Your program will meet federal and industry standards, along with the specific needs of your business. Your employees are trained in the skills you require through a combination of on-the-job training (OJT) and related classroom instruction.
Apprentices become members of your workforce from day one. You will teach them with experienced mentors as they earn their certifications.
You may also qualify for tax credits as a Montana Registered Apprenticeship sponsor. These credits can help you grow your company as you train your employees. How can you say no to that?

Please note

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry has enacted a new rule that allows one journeyman to supervise two apprentices. This rule change may dramatically increase the number of apprenticeships an employer is able to offer.

If you have any questions about the updated ratios and how they may benefit you and your employees, please contact us at (406) 444-4100.

We hope you'll consider apprenticeship as a way to start a new career and build a brighter future for yourself.

Start a Program. Have a Question or Need More Information?

665

The number of employers eligible for an Apprenticeship Tax Credit in 2024

Earn

Tax Credits

For investing in the Montana workforce, your company may qualify for tax credits as a Montana Registered Apprenticeship sponsor.

Teach

Skills Your Business Requires

As a Montana Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor, you’ll have access to professional assistance to train Montana workers to become highly skilled in your business’ occupational trade or craft. As our state economy becomes more service based, the demand for a technically trained skilled workforce will increase. Is your business preparing?

86%

Of newly skilled graduates were employed in the state of Montana by employers seeking their skills

75%

Work with the same employer

Succeed

Skilled Employees

Montana Registered Apprenticeship is an employer designed training program, consisting of not less than 2000 hours (1 year) of On-the-Job Training (OJT), and not less than 144 hours of related college level coursework per 2000 hours of OJT. This training is designed to teach specific and technical job skills that are unique to your business. Formal registered apprenticeship completion can be the basis for professional licensing, or confer journeyman status in their chosen field.

Infographic of Montana Occupations

View Infographic

Apprenticeship Facts

Montana has nearly 3,150 active apprenticeships at the end of September 2024, a 25% increase over five years ago.

View 2024 Annual Report