Community Health Worker Training Program: Apprenticeship Information for Community Health Workers (CHWs)

Who can be a CHW Apprentice at a Registered Apprenticeship? 

You are eligible to be an apprentice at an apprenticeship registered with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry if you are a CHW Certificate holder or if you are in your last semester of the CHW Certificate Program at any of the accredited Minnesota schools who offer the certificate program.  

How do I become an apprentice?  

Employers who have established a registered apprenticeship program through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry choose their own apprentices. For a list of employers who have established or are starting apprenticeship programs, contact apprenticeship@MNCHWAlliance.org  

What are the benefits of being an apprentice?  

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has requirements that employers who operate apprenticeships must follow. These include: 

  • Employers determine wage and must provide benefits to apprentices  
  • Wage must increase with training and education hours and at the end of the 12-month program be a living wage as determined by MN Department of Labor and Industry (adjusted by region/ area of employment) 
  • Apprentices must be employed full time (at least 32 hours per week) 
  • Employers must provide safety training (at least 50 hours) 
  • Minimum of 144 hours of relevant educational instruction must be provided (this can include the CHW Certificate Program at an accredited institution) 
  • On-site mentor who will guide apprentices through the training and education.  
  • At the end of the apprenticeship experience (1 year), apprentices will have a nationally recognized credential, and will stay on as an employee of the organization  

What will the Community Health Worker Training Program (CHWTP) do to enhance the apprenticeship experience?  

  • Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance staff can help connect you with apprenticeship sites and other employment opportunities 
  • MNCHWA staff will connect with both you and your employer over the apprenticeship period to check-in 
  • You may apply for a $7500 stipend paid for by the grant  

Interested in participating?   

Contact Vonyee Howard at apprenticeship@mnchwalliance.org