Apprenticeships

Kickstart Your Career Without a Four Year Degree

An apprenticeship lets you learn by doing, and follow a clear path to a job you’re great at.

Once accepted into an apprenticeship program, you’ll receive occupational training that combines on-the-job experience with classroom instruction. Industry and individual employers design and control the training programs, and pay apprentices’ wages. View an example of annual wage calculations! [xls] An average apprenticeship lasts from 2 to 5 years. On-the-job training hours typically range from 4000 to 8000. Approximately 5,000 Apprentices are currently registered in Oregon. Review the 150 different committees offering apprenticeships [pdf]/ There are 121 different occupations that train workers as apprentices in Oregon.

Industries are Prioritizing Inclusivity

In the past, technical industries have excluded women and People of Color from trades and apprenticeships. Now the Oregon Department of Labor, along with labor advocates, are working proactively to change that.

Between 2013 and 2019, the number of women in trade programs has grown from 293 to 705 and the number of minority apprentices from 683 to 1,979, according to the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

Types of Apprenticeships in Oregon

There are 3 main categories of Apprenticeships offered by and through the State of Oregon Apprenticeship Program.

Construction:

There are 44 Apprenticeship areas in the Construction Trades. Consider these: Construction Lineman, Ironworker, Structural, Sheet Metal Worker or Tree Trimmer for Power lines.

Industrial:

There are 24 Occupational Summaries in the area of Industrial Apprenticeships. Such as: Air Frame and Power Plan Mechanic. Millwright, Pipefitter or Welder

Miscellaneous:

There are 14 Miscellaneous Occupational Summaries. These include: Corrections Officer, Forest Worker Trainee, Rail Technician.