How to hire

Build your own skilled workforce: Bolster your employees’ development and your company’s productivity through Registered Apprenticeship. Starting an apprenticeship program is easier than you might think. Here’s what the process looks like from an employer’s perspective:

Step 1: Make Sure It’s a Good Fit

Connect with a Registered Apprenticeship Consultant (RAC) through Virginia Works who will walk through your business needs and confirm that apprenticeship is a good match. They’ll also make sure everything meets basic state requirements, with no guesswork on your end.

Step 2: Outline What the Apprentice Will Learn on the Job

With your consultant’s help, you’ll create a simple plan that shows:

• What skills the apprentice will learn
• How those skills will be taught on the job
• How the apprentice will progress over time

This is called a work process schedule, but think of it as a training roadmap.

Step 3: Decide How Classroom Learning Will Work

Most apprenticeships also include some classroom or technical instruction. Your consultant will help you determine:

• What training is needed
• Where it will happen (community college, training provider, online, etc.)
• How it fits alongside work hours

This ensures apprentices build both hands‑on skills and technical knowledge.

Step 4: Register the Program (Paperwork Made Simple)

Once everything is set, your consultant will help you register your program with the state. This step only involves a few forms, and you’ll be guided through the process with your consultant.

After that, your apprenticeship program is officially registered and you’re ready to start training talent to your business’s needs!

You’re not expected to figure this out alone. Local apprenticeship consultants help employers design, register, and launch programs that work for their business, from start to finish.