Apprenticeship programs start with apprenticeship committees. All employers of apprentices can become involved with an on-going committee or they can organize a committee for a new apprenticeship program.
 
Apprenticeship committees decide their current and future training needs and develop guidelines for their own programs.
 
Consultants from the Bureau of Labor and Industries who are familiar with industry standards and related training guidelines work with them. Committees include both employer and employee representatives of a company.
 
Based upon market conditions and industry needs, the committee decides:

• Criteria for becoming an apprentice
• Skills required and the level of proficiency in those skills necessary to reach journeyman level.
• Numbers of apprenticeship openings.
• Wage rates and wage progressions based upon demonstrated competencies.
• Required course curriculum to complement on-the-job training; (usually a minimum of 144 hours of related classroom training for each year of apprenticeship).
• Methods for supervising apprentice progress.
• Procedures for selection, employment and training that guarantee fair and equal opportunity to all applicants and workers.

 
Committees may also choose instructors and make arrangements for a local community college or educational service district to provide classroom training.
 
Apprenticeship committees meet at least twice a year to review the progress of apprentices and to update standards and curriculum to current industry needs.