With about 3,000 persons from across Ohio graduating from apprenticeship training this summer, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reports significant growth in the number of apprenticeship registrations.

Greg Moody, ODJFS interim director, said registrations have grown from 15,000 in 1999 to 20,000 this year, with 1,700 labor and management sponsors of apprenticeship programs.

"Everyone benefits from the program," Moody said. "Not only do apprentices learn a unique way to acquire a trade while earning a reasonable wage, they also contribute to the success of the economy by paying taxes. And, as a result of the program, employers can hire more well- trained people."

The Ohio State Apprenticeship Council assists in establishing apprenticeship training programs. Its services include registering businesses which want to incorporate the program within their company and registering apprentices who are interested in the program. The Council has dubbed apprenticeship training as "The Other Four Year Degree," not only because the average apprenticeship is four years in length, but also because the certificate earned upon graduation is equivalent to a degree in a specific trade. The certificate is recognized throughout the United States and beyond as a credential of appropriate skills training and related classroom instruction in an occupation.

Apprentices attend trade schools, two-year colleges and universities, or receive training within the sponsor business, for a minimum of 144 hours per year while working full-time to acquire the needed skills for graduation. In addition, apprentices' education is paid for by the sponsoring businesses and they receive wages that increase with their skills.

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes more than 850 apprenticeable occupations, of which nearly 400 are registered in Ohio. Ohio is in the top five in the nation in number of registered apprentices and number of sponsoring businesses.

Most of Ohio's apprentices (60 percent) are registered in the building and construction trades, which include electricians, operating engineers, inside and outside wiremen, roofers, plasterers, painters, plumbers, pipefitters and bricklayers.

Manufacturing makes up15 percent of apprentices; health and services including nurses, dental assistants, optometrists, cooks, bakers and housekeepers make up about 3 percent and all others account for 22 percent. Firefighters and police patrol officers are the least known apprenticeable occupations.

For more information about the Ohio Apprenticeship Council, visit the website through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services site at http://jfs.ohio.gov

Information about apprenticeship programs in local areas is available at:

Dayton (937) 225-2725
Cleveland (216) 522-3823
Toledo (419) 259-6390
Youngstown (330) 743-0186
Columbus Area (614) 469-7376
Cincinnati Area (614) 469-7377

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For more information contact ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650.