Program Information
Youth Apprenticeship Delaware is designed to assist individuals ages 16 to 24 with entering new and existing apprenticeship programs. POLYTECH School District’s Youth Apprenticeship programs focus on building construction trades, welding, electronics, automotive, diesel, and IT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a “learn while you earn program” that combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training. Apprenticeships provide a clear pathway for students to work in the industry of their choosing.
What can you expect from an Apprenticeship?
- Nationally Recognized Journeyperson Papers
- Journeyperson Pay Wages
- Experience from day 1
- Guaranteed Increased wages while in program
- Guaranteed allowance to attend classes
- DEBT FREE- CLASSES ARE PAID FOR!!
How do I apply?
Please fill out and submit the Youth Apprenticeship Participant Form.
How Youth Apprenticeship Works
- An employer sponsors an employee through the Delaware Department of Labor as a “ State Registered Apprentice”.
- This means the “sponsoring employer” agrees to provide on the job (O.J.T) training for 2000 hours per year (Full time, 40hrs wk. for 50 weeks).
- The apprentice agrees to attend related instruction classes at Polytech for 144 hours per year. The employer agrees to allow the apprentice to attend classes
- When the apprentice accumulates the required number of OJT hrs. (typically 8000) and related instruction hrs. (typically 576), the sponsoring employer can request that the Delaware Department of Labor issue Journeyman Papers.
- These papers can be used to validate work and classroom experience anywhere in the country.
Timeline of Events
Step 2: Employment/ Sponsorship
The student is hired on and is registered as an apprentice through DOL. Student begins earning OJT hrs and classroom hrs.
Step 3: Progression
As student progresses, wages are increased per initial plan. Student is monitored for progression at work and school.
Step 4: Completion
Upon completion of the required hours on the job / in-class, the student receives nationally recognized Journeyperson papers from DOL.
By The Numbers: Average Salaries for Journeypersons
The average Journeyperson Electrician salary in Delaware is $67,944 as of February 25, 2022, but the range typically falls between $58,800 and $76,000.
The average Journeyperson Welder salary in the United States is $50,063 as of April 27, 2021, but the range typically falls between $44,353 and $56,463.
Stone masons earned a mean $23.11 per hour, or $48,070 per year in 2019, with lows below $13.22 per hour, or $27,510 per year, and highs over $36.13 per hour, or $75,140 per year. Most worked for foundation, structure and building exterior contractors, where wages averaged $24.09 per hour, or $50,110 per year. Employment is expected to grow by 9 percent through 2028.
Journeyperson mechanics in the United States make an average salary of $44,401 per year or $21.35 per hour. People on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10% to be exact, make roughly $32,000 a year, while the top 10% makes $60,000.
As of May 19, 2021, the average annual pay for a Journeyperson Diesel Mechanic in the United States is $48,272 a year. That works out to be approximately $23.21 an hour. This is the equivalent of $928/week or $4,023/month.
Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Entry Level Network Technician job market in both Woodside, DE and the surrounding area is very active. An Entry Level Network Technician in your area makes on average $3,548 per month, or $151 (4%) less than the national average monthly salary of $3,699. Delaware ranks number 11 out of 50 states nationwide for Entry Level Network Technician salaries.
Youth Apprenticeship Process for employers
- Fill out a 1-page Sponsor Application and return it to the Office of Apprenticeship (OA)
- OA reviews the Application and creates the Standards of Apprenticeship. The Employer reviews and signs. At this point the Employer becomes a Registered Sponsor.
- The Apprentice Agreement is signed between the Employer, Apprentice, and OA. At this point the employee becomes a Registered Apprentice.
- The Apprentice or Sponsor provides the Apprenticeship Agreement to the local Vo-Tech Adult Education Division to register for tuition-waived courses.
- The Apprentice or Sponsor pays the registration fee (NCC $140, Polytech $40, Sussex Tech $100)
- The Apprentice works and attends course instruction.
