The apprenticeship programs at Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) bridge Maryland’s workforce gaps by offering paid, hands-on training and classroom instruction in skilled trades and high-demand fields like health care, manufacturing and IT.For decades, apprenticeships have provided entry-level learners with a unique opportunity to work alongside a professional while mastering their skills. Dedicated to training new generations of skilled workers both on-site and in the classroom, the apprenticeship programs at CCBC proudly embrace the motto “Earn While You Learn,” providing participants with paid paths to brighter futures.“The student apprentice will start earning wages on day one, so it is an immediate connection for a student to a good job with a local employer,” said CCBC Project Director of Scaling Apprenticeships John Delozier. “It’s one of the oldest and most proven training models of all time.”Registered apprentices typically work full-time in well-paying jobs as they complete a specialized training program. Thanks to a variety of dedicated employers, students receive the hands-on experience, theoretical learning and committed mentorship they need to build career success–without going into education debt.“Typically, registered apprenticeships are designed so that the cost of tuition is not borne by the apprentice,” said Jay Bouis, assistant dean of Applied Technology and Logistics at CCBC. “An apprenticeship is not easy. It requires commitment. However, the combination of paid employment and high-quality training creates a path for a great career.”CCBC student Evan Smith, who is employed at Calvert Mechanical Solutions in Towson, Md., and a fourth-year HVAC apprentice at Associated Builders and Contractors, is earning while learning. “I’m able to support myself and put everything I’m learning into practice,” he said, “It’s giving me a path to my journeyman status and a solid future.”Thanks to the apprenticeship, Smith has made significant progress toward earning the accumulated 8,000 job hours needed to become a journeyman. He enjoys benefiting from the combination of both theoretical and hands-on experience.“Everything we learn in class connects to what I face at work,” said Smith. “I might solve a problem using a manual or tech support, and then later in class, we cover that exact topic. It helps me see underlying issues I hadn’t considered. That’s why working while learning is so valuable.”CCBC plans to expand its apprenticeship offerings. CCBC, in partnership with the Maryland Transit Administration, launched a full-time paid bus maintenance apprenticeship program in Fall 2024. The college also offers non-traditional apprenticeships in industries such as health care, manufacturing and information technology. Both traditional and non-traditional apprenticeship programs aim to help local businesses and community members fill critical positions in various skilled trades. The length of time to complete a specific apprenticeship program is directly related to occupation requirements. Traditional skilled-trade apprenticeships take roughly three to five years to complete, while certain non-traditional apprenticeships may take as little as one year to finish.Upon completion, apprentices can earn CCBC credentials and, depending on the program, certifications along with a journeyperson certificate from the Maryland Department of Labor. Journeypersons can pursue diverse career opportunities, potentially becoming supervisors, business owners, instructors and more. Those who pursue non-traditional apprenticeships also find that they have acquired valuable skills and experience that employers are seeking, giving them an advantage over their peers.With the opportunity to work not just in the state, but all over the country and around the globe, apprentices are prepared to conquer a world of diverse career opportunities.Learn about the apprenticeship opportunities at CCBC, including pre-, traditional and non-traditional apprenticeships.