Apprenticeship and internship programs are an important part of the answer to worker shortages in the trades industries. According to the US Department of Labor, 92% of apprentices retain employment after completing a Registered Apprenticeship program. More and more employers are realizing the value of offering an apprenticeship or internship program to funnel more skilled workers into their talent pools. In 2023, there were more than 340,000 registered apprentices in the construction industry alone, a 28% increase over the past five years, according to Apprenticeship.gov. 

Internships are just as valuable, as they introduce young people to the opportunities that exist in construction, a field that for so long came second to earning a college degree. But that is all beginning to change as new grads see the value in learning valuable trade skills, while earning good pay without accruing the debt that comes with a four-year degree. 

Besides gaining a steady stream of highly skilled workers, the benefits received from taking on apprentices include: 

  • Improved productivity, profitability and an employer’s bottom line 
  • Flexible training options that ensure workers develop the right skills 
  • Minimized liability costs through appropriate training of workers 
  • Tax credits and employee tuition benefits in participating states 
  • Increased retention of workers, during and following the apprenticeship 

 Interns not only lend an extra pair of hands, but provide your workers with mentorship opportunities, promoting a healthy work culture, positive publicity and possible future employees. 

But taking on apprentices and interns does require some extra recordkeeping, especially if you must report work hours to schools for credit. That’s where ExakTime can help. 

What’s the Difference Between Apprenticeships and Internships? 

While both internship and apprenticeship programs provide workers with skills and knowledge via on-the-job training, they do differ when it comes to duration, pay and outcome, which can affect how you recruit applicants for these programs.  

Apprenticeship programs typically target workers who are looking to either start or change a specific career, like carpenter, electrician or plumber. Participants have already graduated from high school and are looking for full-time employment once the apprenticeship is over. Apprentices typically receive job-specific training via on-the-job as well as through a local vocational program. Apprentices are also paid for their time, with some having their schooling paid for as well by their employers. 

Internships on the other hand are less job specific. Internships typically appeal to those still in high school or college who haven’t chosen a career path yet. Interns typically receive high-level instruction about the many jobs and functions of a company, allowing them to experience the many possible careers the field can offer. Many times, internships are short, fitting into school breaks, and provide high school or college credit instead of pay. 

Recordkeeping Requirements for Apprentices and Interns 

Taking on an apprentice or intern requires a certain amount of recordkeeping, depending on the program. For example, when taking on an apprentice as part of the US Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship program, employers must collect and maintain at least the following types of records: 

  • Records relating to apprentice selection, including applications and the employer’s bases for selection or rejection. 
  • Information on the operation of the program, including job assignments, promotion, demotion, termination, rates of pay and all other terms and conditions of the program. 
  • Documents showing that the sponsor is complying with its EEO obligations, such as those records related to the employer’s universal outreach efforts and anti-harassment training. 
  • Records relevant to any EEO complaints that are filed. 
  • Requests for reasonable accommodation. 

ExakTime’s features can help collect information on what the apprentice or intern is doing everyday on the job, including assignments, hours worked and rate of pay. (Arcoro’s software can help gather the rest of the information.)  

How ExakTime can Help 

ExakTime was built to accurately track worker hours while in the field. Being mobile, both apprentices and interns can track every minute they work for your company. The ability to track time is also essential for apprentices and interns, who often have to log a certain amount of hours for credit. But ExakTime can do so much more. 

For both apprentices and interns, ExakTime users can: 

  • Track the time spent on specific tasks required for the program. ExakTime’s job codes allow participants to assign a code to each task they take on. 
  • Assign participants tasks with ExakTime’s Scheduler feature. Managers and supervisors can also attach any required documents to the task. 
  • Create custom forms employers can use to report on tasks or learning. 
  • Provide pulse surveys for participants to provide feedback, essential for a strong program. 
  • Use Field Notes for participants to record questions. 
  • Use reporting to demonstrate program success. 

Get More from Your Digital Time Tracking 

ExakTime can do much more than simply track worker time, its numerous features make managing apprentice and intern candidates easy. Our software gathers essential data, giving you the ability to track, record and report the time of every person who works at your company—whether they are a seasoned professional, an early-career apprentice or an interested student. Available features also make it easy to customize forms for reporting. 

Learn more about what ExakTime can do by contacting us today.