ApprenticeshipSF is offering quality apprenticeship programs for the City & County of San Francisco.

An apprenticeship is a blend of classroom work and on-the-job-training. Under the direction of a journey-level professional, an apprentice learns the technical skills of crafts workers. Apprenticeship programs are revised and updated on a regular basis to meet new standards. Apprenticeships are administered by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the United States Department of Labor. In addition, ApprenticeshipSF partners with several local unions to provide the training. The apprenticeships duration varies between two and five years, depending on the skilled trade.

Our apprentices receive the following benefits:

  • A Paycheck. From day one, the apprentices earn a paycheck that increases over time while learning new skills.
  • Working for the Bay Area’s Top Employer. The City and County of San Francisco is proud to offer a growing list of registered apprenticeships.
  • A Career. A graduating apprentice attains a successful career, with a competitive salary and no student debt.
  • National Industry Certification: A graduating apprentice from our registered apprenticeship programs is certified as a journey-level professional in that specific skilled craft or trade. This certification is valid anywhere in the U.S.

It's On-the-Job Learning and Education

The "Earn and Learn" training model of Apprenticeship provides a unique combination of structured learning with on-the-job training from an assigned journey level mentor. Related instruction, technical training or other certified training is provided by apprenticeship training centers, technical schools, and community colleges. The goal is to provide workers with advanced skillsets that meet the specific needs of departments, agencies and school districts.

It's a Credential

Upon completion of a Apprenticeship program, participants receive an industry issued, nationally recognized credential that certifies occupational proficiency, is portable, and can provide a pathway to a career. In many cases, these programs provide apprentices with the opportunity to simultaneously obtain secondary and post-secondary degrees. In 2011, over 55,000 participants nationwide graduated from an Apprenticeship program.

What are the Advantages of Apprenticeship?

The Apprenticeship system provides a wide array of benefits.

For apprentices:

  • Improved skills and competencies that meet the specific needs of the employer,
  • Incremental wage increases as their skills improve,
  • On-the-job training and occupation focused education,
  • Career advancement,
  • Industry issued, nationally recognized credential, and
  • Agreements between certain apprenticeship training programs and 2- and 4-year colleges that create opportunities for college credit and future degrees.

An apprentice is an exempt employee considered “at-will” and serves under the terms of the apprenticeship agreement and at the discretion of the appointing officer.

As an exempt employee of the City, you are eligible to the following benefits:

  • Retirement benefit upon appointment,
  • Health benefit upon appointment,
  • Vacation hours are accrued and can be used after 1 year of continued service,
  • Sick hours are accrued and can be used after 90 days of service, AND
  • Holidays hours upon appointment.

To find out more about the City’s benefits, please visit our Employee Benefits page.

View the most common Apprenticeship questions and answers page.

For Veterans

Did you know that Veterans have the opportunity to "earn and learn" in a recognized apprenticeship, and may receive GI Bill Educational Benefits?

Eligible Veterans can use GI Bill Educational Benefits for training and/or education. Recognized apprenticeship programs allow Veterans to learn a trade through an apprenticeship, and use the GI Bill benefits to receive a tax-free monthly stipend. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides a stipend that is the equivalent of the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) of an E-5 with dependents (varies by employer location), and is paid in addition to the wages earned as an apprentice. Veterans continue to receive a stipend for every month of their apprenticeship. After six months of a Veteran’s apprenticeship, the stipend is gradually reduced – and is offset by progressive wage increases. In addition, many recognized apprenticeships have some classroom training, and apprentices can receive $83 per month for books and supplies.

Sign-Up for Future Opportunities

  • If the position you are looking to apply to is not being actively recruited for, you can sign up for job announcements via the "Notify me of Jobs" button on the SF Careers page. If you are interested in a specific job class, you can type the four-digit job code in the keyword field, eg: 3410.
  • By signing up, you will receive an email notification when the apprenticeship program you are interested in has openings and is currently accepting applications. Please include an email address you check regularly.
  • Sign up using our ApprenticeshipSF Interest Form to receive an email notification when our Apprenticeship application opens.