If you’re considering apprenticeship, the application process is designed to give you more insight and help you decide if apprenticeship is a good pathway for you. You’ll get a chance to tour companies and see actual job and career possibilities in action. The steps to becoming an apprentice also ensure the apprenticeship is a good match for both you, as a student, and the participating company.
Whether apprenticeship is your number one goal or you’re still exploring your options, start with the steps below to learn more and begin the application process.
There are a number of ways to learn more about apprenticeship opportunities in Guilford County. Look for the following events and opportunities.
From November to late January, students and parents are able to tour companies that offer apprenticeships. Each tour typically lasts about an hour, and you are able to learn about how the company operates, specific apprenticeship opportunities, possible career pathways, employee benefits, and more. Apprenticeship applicants and a parent or guardian must attend at least one company tour in order to apply.
GAP student apprenticeship applications are typically available in October and are due January 31, 2023.
After a review of applications, selected students will be invited to continue in the process with an invitational held in Mid February and/or March. The invitational is held over four evenings.
Students that match with a company and meet all requirements will be invited to be a pre-apprentice. Students will be notified of this offer in mid-April. The six-week paid pre-apprenticeship is a combination of working at the company and taking two classes at Guilford Technical Community College.
During the six week pre-apprenticeship, students are evaluated for:
Individual students will meet with their company contact regarding the selection of apprentices. At that time, the selected students will receive information about how to adjust their schedules; the official signing ceremony, which is held in August; registration at Guilford Technical Community College; and other details.
In some cases, a pre-apprentice may not be selected as an apprentice. If a student is a rising senior and still interested in the program, they may go through the process again the following year.