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TMCC Apprentice Program

The Apprentice Program is designed to provide a link between the educational institutions and the business community in Tucson. The program gives students a chance to work for a salary in a career that parallels their chosen degree or vocation. The program further provides businesses a chance to recruit individuals who want a career in the employer’s industry, and allows that employer to tailor the training over a two year period to suit the business organization’s needs. The candidate and the business sign MOU’s that sets forth a working agreement as to the expectations of both the employer and the apprentice. If the work experience has benefited both parties during the apprenticeship, upon graduation, the employer will have the opportunity to offer a job to the graduate, depending upon position availability. There is no binding agreement on either party for this job offer to be made or accepted. The Apprentice Program consists of four organizations or entities working together, bound by written agreements. They include:

Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce: Provides a foundation for the Apprentice Program by linking the business with an apprentice candidate, who qualifies through a screening process. The screening process is provided in conjunction with the educational institution, which ensures that the apprentice candidate possesses the appropriate credentials required by the business. The Chamber will provide the business a list of potential candidates. The business will interview the candidates) and select one or more apprentices. Using data from the University, the Chamber will also provide the business with the current salary expectations for specific areas of study and degrees.

The Chamber will continue to follow up on both the apprentice and the business to ensure that the program is working well. From the apprentice standpoint, the Chamber will ensure that she/he is fulfilling their agreement by reporting to work on time, wearing proper apparel for work, providing the employer productive work, and discussing any absences and tardiness at work. The Chamber will also obtain feedback from the apprentice’s perspective on how the program is progressing, the degree of training and supervision received, and value of the work assigned in relation to their degree or vocational trade being sought. Additionally, the Chamber will ensure that the apprentice is provided regularly scheduled performance appraisals produced by the business. From the business standpoint, the Chamber will ensure that the business is satisfied with the attendance, punctuality, professionalism, and productivity of the apprentice. The Chamber will ensure that the apprentice is working in areas that relate to their degree at least 50% of the time. It is important that the business provide honest feedback to the Chamber and be willing to make necessary changes in order that the program succeeds.

The candidate will sign an MOU with the employer that sets forth a working agreement as to the expectations of both the employer and the apprentice. If the work experience has benefited both parties during the apprenticeship, upon graduation, the employer will have the opportunity to offer a job to the graduate, depending upon position availability. There is no binding agreement on either party for this job offer to be made or accepted.

Educational Institution: Provides the ability for employers to screen of the potential apprentice candidates that meet the minimum/preferred requirements of the business. Students participating in the Apprentice Program will apply during their sophomore year at The University of Arizona, Pima College, or high school (must be 16 years of age or older). The institution will refer resumes of qualified apprentice candidates for the open position. The institution will allow businesses to interview apprentice candidates on their campus should the business prefer to conduct the meetings there instead of at the business location.

The second meeting for a potential candidate would include a tour of the business facility and a follow up interview at the business site. The business will inform the educational institution and the Chamber of the specific requirements for the interview process. The educational institution will work with the Chamber to ensure that each apprentice candidate is thoroughly counseled on the purpose of the program, their expectations, and the potential job waiting for the apprentice upon graduating. The educational institution will receive updates on each apprentice’s performance from the Chamber.

Business Organization: The business will specify the type of student required (either college or high school) and provide a job description for the position that the apprentice will fill. The business will provide minimum and preferred requirements for the position. Interviews will require a second, on-site interview. When a candidate is selected, the employer will offer the apprentice a salary that is appropriate for the job position, based on the level of education and experience. Raises and bonuses are at the discretion of the employer. The apprentice is subject to any incentives, commissions, rewards or disciplinary actions that is available to the company’s staff.

The business/organization will provide the apprentice all necessary training, provide supervision andany tools or instruments needed in the position, and any uniforms or clothing that are issued to regular staff. Salary increases between the employer and the apprentice, is at the discretion of the employer. While every employee is required to do work outside of their expertise or job level on occasion, the business guarantees that a minimum of 50% of the apprentice’s work time will be spent on work directly related to the student’s degree, thus furthering the functional knowledge of that line of study. Hours of work, days of the week, and schedule flexibility in general should be set such that class load not be negatively impacted. Most importantly, the student should be encouraged to integrate the knowledge that he/she is currently acquiring at the learning institute with the work performed at the company.

The candidate will sign an MOU with the employer that sets forth a working agreement as to the expectations of both the employer and the apprentice. If the work experience has benefited both parties during the apprenticeship, upon graduation, the employer will have the opportunity to offer a job to the graduate, depending upon position availability.

There is no binding agreement on either party for this job offer to be made or accepted. Entering into this MOU presupposes that the company is in full compliance with all OSHA and EEOC laws and that the apprentice and company will comply fully with all rules stipulated by these laws. The employer should remember that Arizona is an “At Will” work state and therefore must accept all that this designation implies. If for any reason the employer or the apprentice deem that the MOU is no longer viable, either party can work to renegotiate, or failing a new MOU, terminate the agreement.

The Apprentice: The apprentice is selected for an apprenticeship based on their credentials, interviewing skills, experience and potential that they will bring to the business/organization. It is important for the apprentice to fulfill their MOU and ensure that he/she: provide the employer good attendance and punctuality, follow company policies and rules, and report to work ready to perform safely and productively. Most importantly, the student should endeavor to integrate the knowledge that he/she is currently acquiring at the learning institute with the work performed at the company.

The apprentice must remember that in the course of job positions there are many tasks that are not directly related to a particular field or area of study. For example, an apprentice majoring in business, and working apprentice accountant must realize that many tasks that an accountant performs are not directly related to accounting, but are related to the business/organization. It is not intended that copying, filing and providing courier service be the major workload that an apprentice will accomplish. It is intended that the apprentice would work a minimum of 50% on accounting tasks, but the rest of the work could encompass up to 50% non accounting tasks. Hours of work, days of the week, and schedule flexibility in general should be set such that class load not be negatively impacted.

Should concurrence on work schedule not culminate after mutual discussions between the apprentice and the employer, either party is free to terminate the MOU. The candidate will sign an MOU with the employer that sets forth a working agreement as to the expectations of both the employer and the apprentice. If the work experience has benefited both parties during the apprenticeship, upon graduation, the employer will have the opportunity to offer a job to the graduate, depending upon position availability.

There is no binding agreement on either party for this job offer to be made or accepted. Entering into this MOU presupposes that the company is in full compliance with all OSHA and EEOC laws and that the apprentice and company will comply fully with all rules stipulated by these laws. The apprentice should remember that Arizona is an “At Will” work state and therefore must accept all that this designation implies. If for any reason the employer or the apprentice deem that the MOU is no longer viable, either party can work to renegotiate, or failing a new MOU, terminate the agreement.