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Apprenticeship Readiness Checklist

Sixteen things employers and apprenticeship programs quietly expect before day one. Check what you have — whatever’s left becomes your personal to-do list. It saves automatically.

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Documents & basics

Government ID / driver’s licenseMost programs require a valid license — jobsites move, and driving is often part of the job. Reliable transportationJobsites are rarely on a bus line, and start times are early. A plan that works every day counts. High school diploma or GED (or a plan to get one)Nearly all registered apprenticeships require it. GED programs are free or cheap in every state. Documents for hiring paperworkSocial Security card or birth certificate for the I-9 on day one. Find them now, not the night before.

Work readiness

A one-page resumeEven without trade experience — work history, reliability, and any hands-on background count. Our free AI Resume Builder does it in minutes. Two references who’ll vouch for youA former boss, coach, teacher, or supervisor. Ask them first, have their phone numbers ready. Interview practicePrograms rank applicants by interview score. Practice with our AI Mock Interview until the answers feel natural. Comfortable with basic mathFractions, decimals, basic algebra — the aptitude test staple. A few weeks of free brush-up (Khan Academy) is usually plenty.

Jobsite ready

Work bootsSteel or composite toe. The one purchase you can’t skip — $100–$200 for a pair that lasts. OSHA 10 card (or plan to get it)~$25–$90 online, done in a weekend — choose from OSHA’s official list of authorized providers. Often the first thing employers ask about. Able to pass a drug screenMost programs test at entry and randomly afterward. This disqualifies more applicants than any test score. Physically ready for the workLifting, ladders, weather, long days on your feet. Be honest with yourself — and know many trades (HVAC controls, low-voltage) run lighter.

Financial & planning

Picked a trade (or a top 2)“Anything” reads as “nothing” in an interview. Our free assessment narrows it in 3 minutes. 2–4 weeks of expenses coveredFirst paycheck can lag a few weeks after your start date. A small buffer keeps a good start from becoming a crisis. Explored fundingWorkforce Pell, WIOA, and trade scholarships can cover training and gear. Start here. Know where you’ll applyAt least 2–3 target programs from our directory or Apprenticeship.gov.

New to all of this? Read the Zero-to-Apprentice roadmap first — it explains every step.

Apprenticeship Readiness Checklist

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