Bates Technical College has a 65 year history providing Washington State approved apprenticeship training programs. The college registers over 1,500 apprentices annually and currently, operates 16 apprenticeship disciplines offering both classroom and on-the-job training. Apprenticeships provide students with paid, on-the-job learning opportunities in the field with wages beginning at a percentage of the journey-level rate and increasing based on satisfactory progress in both the classroom and on the job.

Upon completing a one- to five- year (2,000 to 10,000 hour) apprenticeship with a minimum of 144 hours of related and supplemental instruction per year, the worker receives an Apprenticeship Completion Certificate and is recognized as a qualified journey level worker nationwide. A journey level worker is guaranteed an excellent wage and benefits anywhere in the United States.

State labor and industry statistics reflect that the median wage for all program participants in Washington is currently $32,420.00 per year and those completing their journey-level certificate earn a median annual wage of $50,599. Over 43,700 employers in the state provide paid on-the-job training for apprentices.

APPRENTICESHIP STUDIES DEGREE

An Associate of Technology Degree in Apprenticeship Studies is available for apprentice graduates of the College. This added benefit is available through the College for any apprentice from an affiliated program that has completed at least 6,000 clock hours of apprenticeship training and at least 432 clock hours of apprenticeship related supplemental instruction. The apprentice or journey worker will need to complete five credits each of college-level 100 courses including communications/English, human relations/social science, mathematics and a general education elective to obtain an Associate of Technology Degree in Apprenticeship Studies. These credits may be transferred from other institutions.