Apprenticeship – How an Ancient Career Path is Becoming New Again Demeterius Smith and Kirsten Pratt THE BIG PICTURE Apprenticeship structure was most prominent with Master Craft Guilds with students as young of 16 years old. To this day, international culture is normal to start an apprenticeship career track between age 15-18. Within the US, the skills gap is pushing the need for more apprenticeship programs and now youth apprenticeships (16+ years old, junior/senior level of high school). Apprenticeship Carolina is a part of the economic development division of SC Technical College System. Since it’s inception in 2007, apprenticeships in SC have increased from 90 to over 900. SPECIFICS OF TODAY SC Apprenticeship Initiative grant has allowed for increased services to employer sponsors of registered apprenticeship. It offers a scholarship to cover the job-related education from any of the 16 public technical colleges in SC for each registered apprentice in select industries and occupations. The goal is to increase the number of apprentice in registered apprenticeship programs especially those from underrepresented populations. The Department of Labor (DOL) defines a registered apprenticeship as having 3 components: on-the job learning (2000 hours), job-related education (144 hours), and a scalable wage. Every employer has the flexibility to build the specific content of the program as works best for their company. Targeted industries include: Manufacturing, Construction, Health and Social Assistance, IT, Healthcare, Logistics, Transportation, Culinary, Travel and Tourism. GOOD FOR ALL Apprenticeships build competence and confidence for employees and companies. See more information provided by the DOL at (www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/).