USMAP Serving 50,000 Active Apprenticeships

By Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- After 35 years of providing sea-service military members with journeyman-level certifications that document their skills through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) reached the milestone of 50,000 current active participants on March 18.

The USMAP team works closely with DOL to provide nationally-recognized apprenticeship programs that result in journeyman-level Certificates of Completion for members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. During their apprenticeship, service members document their military duties while working in their rating or military occupational specialties (MOS). Earning the DOL certificate costs the service member nothing and does not normally require working additional off-duty hours.

"We've made significant upgrades to the program, making it easier for service members to sign up, manage and complete the program," said Cmdr. Mitzi Ellis, Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) Detachment Saufley Field site director. "With the recent improvements, we've seen an increase in weekly program completions of 68 percent over the last two years and an increase in the interest level, bringing us up to 50,000 service members actively working toward their USMAP certificates."

One Sailor who has embraced the program is Chief Hull Technician (SW/AW) Jonathan Purvis, Executive Department leading chief, aboard USS Stout (DDG 55). Purvis currently holds five DOL certifications, ranging from Plumber to Welder.

"I started working on USMAP apprenticeships during my first enlistment, when I wasn't sure whether I was going to stay active duty, and I knew that it could help me get a job in the civilian sector," said Purvis. "But throughout my career, working on several apprenticeships has helped me focus on different skill areas and made me a better technician. That focus and knowledge has also helped me train my junior Sailors."

USMAP enables documentation of a Sailor's formalized and structured training. It combines on-the-job training (OJT) and related technical instruction. All the individual is required to do is regularly document the hours worked in the various skill areas either in a hard-copy log or electronically through the Web and have it verified by their supervisor. In addition, the service member submits a report every six months and a final report once their required OJT hours are complete.

"Each apprenticeship requires anywhere between 2,000 and 10,000 hours of on-the-job work and training," said Marybeth Whitney, USMAP senior registrar. "Working a typical 40-hour week, many individuals can complete an apprenticeship within a year. There are 123 trades available, ranging from aircraft mechanic to x-ray equipment tester. More than 96 percent of Navy enlisted rates, 85 percent of Coast Guard enlisted rates, and 232 Marine Corps MOS' are eligible for these trades."

USMAP trades apply to virtually all members of the services, including those who have been serving for several years.

"Pre-registration credits can be awarded to those who have time-in-service and can even be applied toward college credits," said Tom Phillips, USMAP Certifications and Credentialing Program lead. "The maximum credit a service member could possibly receive is 50 percent of the required OJT. For example, an E-6 with ten years of service interested in an apprenticeship requiring 8,000-hours can receive a maximum of 4,000 credits toward their certificate, cutting their requirements for hours of logged OJT in half."

"It's about quantifying what you've accomplished," added Phillips. "Service members are already doing the work; it's just a matter of documenting what they do. Now they have their work 'on the record' and a completed apprenticeship shows significant professional development, and can look good to promotion boards. Certificates can also open doors once a service member decides to hang up the uniform."

Any active duty Sailor, Marine, or Coast Guardsman can become an apprentice as long as they have been designated in a rating, have sufficient time to complete the program while on active duty and possess a high school diploma or GED. The selected trade must be their primary job at their current command.