Enhancing Our Region’s Economic Stability and Prosperity

Creating, sustaining and retaining a viable workforce is at the core of our vision of moving every life forward. We believe in upskilling our current workforce and providing opportunities for disadvantaged workers by:

• Partnering with workforce development agencies and business advisory councils
• Acquiring funding to support programs
• Offering internships, pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships
• Leveraging community support and job training support and engaging educational institutions

This enables us to position our employees for career success and strengthen our overall workforce.

What Is a Registered Apprenticeship?

A Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, progressive wage increases, classroom instruction and a portable, nationally recognized credential.

Registered Apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. They are different from other types of workplace training programs in several ways:

• Industry alignment — Programs are industry-vetted and approved to ensure they align with industry standards and that apprentices are trained for highly-skilled, high-demand occupations.

• Guaranteed payment — Registered Apprenticeships are jobs! Apprentices earn a progressive wage as their skills and productivity increase.

• On-the-job mentorship — Programs provide structured on-the-job training, including instruction from an experienced mentor, to help apprentices prepare for a successful career.

• Supplemental education — Apprentices are provided with supplemental classroom education based on the employer’s training needs to ensure quality and success.

• Credentials — Apprentices earn a portable, nationally-recognized credential within their industry.

 

Some Key Facts

• The apprenticeship program is an “industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce.”
• The terms of the apprenticeship program must be upheld by the Authority as it is regularly reviewed by the Apprenticeship Council.
• The Authority cannot unilaterally make changes to the program as it is a bipartisan agreement.
• The program sets a standard for training that the Authority (“the sponsor” per the terms of the agreement) must adhere to, including training and on-the-job apprentice training.
• This is a voluntary program — COTA employees may choose to participate in the program if they wish.
• This program does not change the terms of the contract. It has no impact on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) or the terms that were negotiated between the Union and the Authority.

 

Set Yourself Up For Career Success

By enrolling in a registered apprentice program you will receive:

• Paid work experience
• Progressive wage increases
• On-the-job training
• Supplemental classroom instruction
• Nationally recognized credential
• Journeyman status as Bus Maintenance Technician
• Eligible Veterans with GI Bill benefits can receive a monthly stipend

 

Join Team COTA’s Apprenticeship Program Today!

Email Alonzo Lipscomb at lipscomba@cota.com or call 614-275-5877 to get started.