Students participating in apprenticeship want to learn skills, and reach agreements with employers who need skilled workers. Employers are willing to sponsor apprentices and provide paid, related, practical experience under the direction of a certified journeyperson. They also provide a work environment conducive to learning the tasks, activities, and functions of a skilled worker.
Apprenticeship combines roughly 80% workplace experience with 20% technical classroom training, and takes anywhere from two to five years to complete depending on the trade. Both the workplace experience and the technical training are essential components of the learning experience.