Home / Federal careers / GS-0243
Apprenticeship and Training
Federal position developing, administering, and evaluating apprenticeship programs and vocational training initiatives that prepare workers for skilled trades and technical occupations.
What GS-0243 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0243, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education: Four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, or 4-year planned apprenticeship in an apprenticeable occupation.
OR
Experience:
GS-5 (General Experience): Three years of progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4, that demonstrated ability to assume progressive responsibilities as an apprenticeship and training representative. Qualifying experience includes:
- Journey-level work in an apprenticeable trade or craft
- Developing labor standards as they relate to apprenticeship
- Applying labor laws as they affect workers in the trades
- Training program coordination or classroom instruction in occupational subjects
Above GS-5 (Specialized Experience): One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Specialized experience must have provided:
- Knowledge of the functions, purposes, and practices of apprenticeship or other industrial training
- Knowledge of training methods, techniques, and devices; labor utilization practices; and workforce requirements
- Knowledge of industrial relations
- Ability to work cooperatively with management, labor, and public officials at various levels
Qualifying experience includes work as a member of a joint apprenticeship committee, training official for a union or employer, apprenticeship or training coordinator, or vocational instructor in an apprenticeable occupation.
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
| Grade | Education | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's degree or 4-year apprenticeship | 3 years progressive experience including journey-level trade work or training coordination |
| GS-7 | 1 year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 |
| GS-12+ | N/A | 1 year specialized experience at next lower grade |
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0243
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Recruiter
Army Recruiters develop and manage training programs for new recruits, similar to apprenticeship program development.
Skills that carry over: Training Development, Employer Outreach, Compliance Monitoring.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Navy Counselor
Navy Counselors coordinate training and career development programs, aligning well with apprenticeship program management.
Skills that carry over: Training Development, Apprenticeship Programs, Employer Outreach.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Recruiter
Marine Corps Recruiters have experience in training and program coordination, useful for apprenticeship roles.
Skills that carry over: Employer Outreach, Training Development, Compliance Monitoring.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Develop apprenticeship programs
- Coordinate vocational training
- Monitor trainee progress
- Establish training standards
- Partner with employers
Key competencies
Apprenticeship Programs
Knowledge of registered apprenticeship standards.
Training Development
Ability to develop competency-based training programs.
Employer Outreach
Skill in recruiting employers for apprenticeship programs.
Compliance Monitoring
Ability to monitor program compliance with standards.
Equal Opportunity
Knowledge of EEO requirements in apprenticeship.
Curriculum Review
Skill in evaluating training curricula.
Industry Standards
Understanding of industry skill standards.
Partnership Building
Ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
Data Management
Skill in maintaining apprenticeship records and reports.
Technical Assistance
Ability to provide guidance to program sponsors.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0243
What is a federal Apprenticeship and Training Specialist?
GS-0243 Apprenticeship and Training Specialists develop, administer, and evaluate registered apprenticeship programs and vocational training initiatives at agencies like the Department of Labor. They establish training standards, partner with employers, monitor trainee progress, and ensure compliance with federal apprenticeship requirements.
How much does a federal Apprenticeship and Training Specialist make?
GS-0243 positions typically range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry level to GS-12 ($75,706-$98,422) for senior specialists. Journeyman-level positions are commonly GS-9 to GS-11. Add 15-40% for locality pay in major metro areas. Department of Labor positions in Washington, DC often start higher.
What are the requirements for GS-0243 positions?
You need either a bachelor's degree, a completed 4-year apprenticeship in an apprenticeable trade, OR three years of progressive experience including journey-level trade work or training coordination. Above GS-5, you need specialized experience in apprenticeship programs, training development, or vocational instruction.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0243?
Absolutely. Military journey-level trade experience (electrician, welder, mechanic, etc.) directly qualifies. If you trained apprentices, coordinated unit training programs, or served as an instructor, that's prime specialized experience. Your DD-214 and training records documenting these duties are essential for your application.
What is the career progression for Apprenticeship and Training Specialists?
Entry at GS-5/7 with a ladder to GS-9 or GS-11 is common. Experienced specialists can reach GS-12 as senior representatives or regional coordinators. Supervisory positions and program manager roles at GS-13+ exist at DOL regional offices. Many transition into broader workforce development or HR specialist roles.
How do I apply for GS-0243 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Apprenticeship and Training' or series 0243. Most positions are with the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Highlight your trade background, any training/instructor experience, and knowledge of apprenticeship standards. Veterans with 5 or 10-point preference have significant advantages for these positions.
Ready to apply for GS-0243?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.