Every week, our inbox at the Mississippi Apprenticeship Program (MAP) fills up with messages from eager career seekers asking the same great question: “How do I apply for an apprenticeship with MAP?”
We love the enthusiasm! However, there is a common misconception about what we do.
MAP does not hire apprentices directly. Instead, we work on the business side. We help companies across Mississippi design, build, and register their training programs. Once those programs are built, the companies themselves recruit, hire, and train their own apprentices. So, if you cannot apply directly through MAP, where should you look? If you are ready to earn while you learn, here is your three-step roadmap to finding an active apprenticeship in Mississippi.
1. Connect with Your Local Community College
Mississippi’s community colleges are the engines of our state’s workforce. Many of them partner directly with local industries to provide the classroom instruction portion of a Registered Apprenticeship.
The Action Step: Reach out to the workforce division at your nearest community college. Ask them about current training programs that include Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. They know exactly which local employers are actively hiring.
- Resource: Learn more about how educators factor into the process here: [Link to: For Educators – Mississippi Apprenticeship Program]
2. Visit Your Local WIN Job Center
The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) operates WIN Job Centers across the state. These centers are dedicated to connecting career seekers with employers who have immediate workforce needs.
The Action Step: Visit or call your local WIN Job Center. Tell them you are specifically interested in a Registered Apprenticeship in your chosen industry (such as manufacturing, healthcare, or IT). They can pull up available training programs and guide you through the application process.
- Resource: Find your nearest location here: [Link to: MDES – Win Job Centers]
3. Search the National Database
The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a national database of active Registered Apprenticeships. It works just like a standard job board, allowing you to filter by location and industry.
The Action Step: Go to www.apprenticeship.gov.
- Select “Career Seeker.”
- Click on the “Apprenticeship Job Finder.”
- Type in your Mississippi city or zip code to see which companies are currently operating a registered apprenticeship program in the state.
Navigator’s Note: Applying for an apprenticeship is exactly like applying for a job—because it is a job! Treat the process with professionalism. Have your resume updated, practice your interview skills, and follow up with the employers after you apply.
The Bottom Line
MAP is here to help businesses create the opportunities, but you have the power to seize them. By utilizing your local community college, the WIN Job Center, and the national database, you are putting yourself directly in front of the companies that are ready to hire.
Note: The Mississippi Apprenticeship Program (MAP) helps companies build training programs, but we do not hire apprentices directly. If you are a career seeker looking for an open apprenticeship, please utilize the community college, WIN Job Center, or apprenticeship.gov resources listed above!