Registered Apprenticeship is a proven system for training employees in a variety of occupations that require a wide range of skills and knowledge. It is an ideal way for employers to build and maintain a skilled workforce.

Because Registered Apprenticeship is driven by businesses and industries and directly connected to solving their skill needs, it is positioned to continue to grow and expand to serve the needs of the 21^st century workforce.  Registered Apprenticeship combines employment, on-the-job learning overseen by a mentor and related technical instruction that may be provided through community or technical colleges, correspondence, online, distance learning, contract vendors or apprenticeship training centers to both educate and develop business and industries' workforce. 

Competency and hybrid models have been developed to complement the traditional time-based apprenticeship models.  In addition to broadening the flexibility for program sponsors, competency and hybrid Registered Apprenticeship models increase apprentices opportunities for interim credentials and technology-based learning. Many Registered Apprenticeship programs now combine the ability to earn an associate's or higher degree (often paid for by the employer).

Registered Apprenticeship is distinctly different from other public workforce investment system programs because it is not a social program.  It is completely driven and primarily funded by industry and is considered the gold standard of public training programs.  Employers and sponsors pay for on-the-job learning and frequently pay for apprentices' tuition, tools and equipment required for apprenticeship training.  Approximately $2 billion per year nationally is contributed to the Registered Apprenticeship system from the private sector.