Essential skills identify what is unique to apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship programs, like other forms of work-based learning, can show significant benefits in preparing workers for the workplace. Learning in the workplace under the supervision of a master worker allows full participation by students in the process of learning and working. Through observing and commenting, students can build technical skills, experience the sharing of tasks, and see how technical tasks relate specifically to theoretical knowledge and interpretation.

Students are more likely to be able to understand the big picture. Students can see for themselves how the technical task can be affected by the context in which it is performed and how their own performance must take that context into account. Such broadening of technical performance makes workers more skilled, more flexible, and more able to contribute to workplace productivity. In addition, students are prepared to acquire new skills later in life. 

Apprenticeships also offer considerable benefits to employers and other training sponsors, schools, and the community. Benefits to employers and training sponsors include assistance from trained educators in job analysis and training design, the active participation of the school's testing and guidance professionals in program recruitment, shortened training times and costs, and the opportunity to prepare students to meet the individual sponsors' particular requirements. Schools benefit by being able to provide educational opportunities outside their usual physical, financial, and staff resources. Instructors, administrators, and counselors have increased and improved contact with local employers and employment conditions. 


8 Essential Components