State apprenticeship staff explain RTI, wage progression and program controls

The Division of Apprenticeship Standards described the operational requirements for registered apprenticeship programs and the teams that support them. Amara Rehman said registered apprenticeships combine structured on-the-job training with classroom instruction and noted that "the on the job training is also reinforced with classroom hours, so they are required to do, 150 hours of classroom instruction a year." Rehman explained that once a program is approved, the operations team handles apprentice logistics and a quality assurance team checks program progress.

Rehman also emphasized wage progression built into programs: apprentices must be paid at least minimum wage and typically receive scheduled wage increases as they move through program milestones. The Division posts grant openings online and provides technical assistance to employers and intermediaries during the registration and implementation process.