What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is an earn-and-learn model that is industry-driven and aligned with high-quality career fields. Through apprenticeships, employers are able to develop and prepare their future workforce, through paid work experiences combined with classroom instruction.
What apprenticeships are available at FCC?
View Apprenticeship Programs.
How long is an apprenticeship program?
Apprenticeship programs typically last between one and four years.
Does my apprentice earn a degree or certification?
Yes, apprentices will earn a degree, certification, or college credits towards completing an A.A.S. degree.
How much does it cost to hire an apprentice?
Employers typically pay for the related instruction portion of the apprenticeship. This includes tuition, books, fees, and all administrative services. Fees are invoiced per semester.
To offset some of the cost of related instruction, apprentices are paid a progressive wage. Their typical starting wage is 50% of their final salary at the end of the apprenticeship program. Apprentices receive period wage increases as they complete training requirements.
Are there financial incentives available for hiring an apprentice?
Yes! Employers can claim a one-time, $1,000 tax credit for each apprentice after they have been employed for seven months. Additionally, if your company has fewer than 500 employees in the state of Maryland, you may apply for funding from the Maryland Business Works Fund. This fund reimburses up to 50% of training dollars for employers who qualify.
More information on financial incentives can be found here:
Maryland Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit
(Note: This link is only available during the tax credit time frame.)
Training Fund - Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program (MATP)
What are my responsibilities as an employer?
In order to participate, you first need to identify a mentor (called a “journeyperson”) who will be responsible for training your apprentice in a one-on-one relationship. This mentor/journeyperson will ensure that the apprentice completes each of their on-the-job training requirements as part of the program. This mentor/journeyperson will receive initial mentor training and will be responsible for signing off on the hourly log kept by the apprentice.
Once a mentor/journeyperson is identified, you will work with the apprenticeship coordinators at FCC to become a registered employer. The apprentice must be free to attend class at the designated time, and you will need to work with FCC to determine a progressive wage scale. Once these tasks have been completed, you will work with FCC’s apprenticeship coordinators to submit paperwork to the Maryland Department of Labor to become a registered employer. After approval, you may begin interviewing and hiring from FCC’s pool of applicants.
Does the apprentice receive the same benefits as a regular full-time employee?
Yes, in a traditional apprenticeship, the apprentice works 2,000 hours per year, which is considered full-time. Apprentices are considered to be regular, full-time employees (hourly or salary, depending on the employer), and are entitled to the same benefits as other employees of the company. Similarly, they are also subject to the same rules and requirements of regular employees.
I have an existing employee who would like to participate. Can they be an apprentice?
Yes! Please contact the apprenticeship coordinator if you have a current employee who would like to participate in the program. We will work with you to become a registered employer, and we will work with your employee to enroll in the apprenticeship program.
What is the difference between an apprenticeship and an internship?
An internship is typically a short-term work experience. Internships can be either paid or unpaid. They are designed to introduce students to a field and /or specific company for a short period of time, perhaps with the expectation of long-term employment once education is completed. Education and on-the-job training are not formally linked in an internship.
An apprenticeship is a formal training program where on-the-job training and classroom instruction are purposefully linked. An apprentice is a full-time employee, subject to the same requirements and expectations of all other company employees. The goal of an apprenticeship is to establish a long-term relationship where you directly train an apprentice, and in turn, develop a lasting relationship.
Does my business need to be located in Frederick County in order to participate?
No, it does not.
Who do I contact for more information?
Contact the Internship and Apprenticeship Coordinator, Carla Milan, at [email protected].
Employer Interest Form