Maryland Apprenticeship Programs

Maryland Apprenticeship Resources

Overview of Apprenticeship Programs in Maryland

In Maryland, apprenticeship is organized through the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program (MATP) within the Maryland Department of Labor. Apprenticeship is described as a job where you “earn while you learn.” You’re hired as an apprentice, you do on‑the‑job training (OJT) with a skilled person, and you receive related instruction (classroom or equivalent).

In registered apprenticeship programs in Maryland:

The occupation must require at least 2,000 hours of on‑the‑job training per year if the apprenticeship lasts more than a year.
The related instruction must involve at least 144 hours per year if the program is longer than one year.
Upon completion, the apprentice receives a certificate of completion and is eligible to be a journeyperson in the trade.

Benefits of registered apprenticeship include paid employment from day one (progressive wage scale), industry‑recognised credentials, and a structured path to a skilled career.

Registered vs Unregistered / Youth / Pre‑Apprenticeship

Registered Apprenticeship: These are formal, state‑registered (and often federally recognized) programs under MATP standards. They meet the regulatory requirements described above. Eligible across many occupations (over 230 registered occupations in Maryland) and many apprentices are already registered.

Youth/Pre‑Apprenticeship or “Career connected learning”: Maryland also supports programs that begin in high school (junior/senior years) where students can do paid or partially paid “apprentice‐type” work combined with related instruction, often through partnerships between school systems, employers and MATP. For example, the “Apprenticeship Maryland” youth apprenticeship program spans many school districts.

Such programs may not always meet the full 2,000 hours / 144 hour annual instruction standard for full journey‑level registered apprenticeships, but they are recognized as pathways into them.

Where the Programs Are & What Types of Jobs

Because Maryland is a large state with varied industries (tech, IT, health care, construction/trades, manufacturing, service, government), there are apprenticeship opportunities across many sectors and many counties. For example:

The Maryland Department of Labor launched a tool called the “Apprenticeship Locator” so jobseekers and employers can find registered apprenticeship programs by county, occupation, sponsor.
Maryland received nearly $23 million in federal funding (in 2024) to expand registered apprenticeships in growth areas like healthcare, technology, transportation.

Some sample occupations include electrician, sheet metal worker, air‐conditioning mechanic, arborist, cyber security professional, digital marketing professional, biotechnology instrumentation technician.

Jobs are offered statewide (in every county) via registered programs.

Cities in Maryland & Apprenticeship‑Relevance

Here are some of Maryland’s larger cities (or major urban areas) and how the apprenticeship possibilities tend to map to them. While not exhaustive or city‑specific program lists, this gives you a sense of where different industries and training options converge.

Baltimore (Baltimore City) – As the largest city, with port, trade, deep infrastructure, health care, services, tech sectors. Apprenticeships here may include trades (construction, electrical, plumbing), manufacturing/logistics, information technology, health‑care support, maritime/coastal occupations.
Columbia/Ellicott City (Howard County) – Well‑positioned for tech, IT, professional services, health care, advanced manufacturing. Apprenticeship routes in cybersecurity, digital tech, health professions may be strong.
Frederick / Hagerstown region – In western Maryland; manufacturing, logistics, transportation, construction trades are more prominent. Apprenticeships may tie to those sectors.
Annapolis / Annapolis area (Anne Arundel County) – With government, services, maritime/coastal, and logistics; apprenticeship routes might include public infrastructure, maritime trades, service/hospitality industries.
Prince George’s / Bowie / College Park region – Near DC metro area; opportunities may include government‑contracting trades, IT/cybersecurity, logistics, transportation, construction.
Wilmington – While not in Maryland, the border regions (e.g., Cecil County) might have similar apprenticeships in manufacturing, trade, warehousing.

In all these areas, industry demand, employer sponsorship, and local school/training‑provider partnerships shape what apprenticeship types are available.

Tips if You’re Considering an Apprenticeship in Maryland

Identify which occupation/industry you’re interested in (trade, tech, health care, transportation, etc.).
Use the Apprenticeship Locator (via Maryland Department of Labor) to search for registered apprenticeship sponsors in your county, industry and occupation.
Contact the sponsoring employer/program directly (because the Department of Labor does not place individuals into registered apprenticeships; you apply via the sponsor/employer).
Ensure you understand the program requirements: age (many programs require ≥18 years though some allow younger), high school diploma or GED, transportation/access, physical ability.
Ask about wage progression (when does your pay go up as you gain experience), whether the program leads to a full journeyperson certificate, and what the job‐placement prospects are after completion.
Consider youth apprenticeship if you’re a high school student: these give earlier exposure and can lead into a full registered apprenticeship.
Investigate the industry regionally: some industries may have more demand in certain counties (e.g., construction in areas with many infrastructure projects, tech/cyber in the DMV region, logistics/manufacturing in more rural counties).
Be ready for competition: apprenticeship spots are valuable because of the “earn while you learn” model; early preparation (good math/English, aligned interests, communication with employers) helps.