REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP / DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Your Journey starts here!
Rising Star Entertainment Group’s system has created the FIRST Professional Wrestling Apprenticeship in the Nation! By setting foundational standards, set yourself apart from the competition with knowledge on every aspect of professional wrestling.
Veteran-owned • Sponsor/Employer Led • Growing Nationwide Network
Primal Pro Wrestling School in San Diego, CA was our first partnered school for the Apprenticeship Program. We’ve been visited by industry professionals such as Rey & Dominik Mysterio, Super Crazy, and Gabe Sapolsky as well as worked with brands such as Monster Energy, Luna Grill, and San Diego FC!
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
REGISTERED
Independent Professional Wrestler/Actor apprenticeship
O*NET-SOC CODE: 27-2011.00
RAPIDS CODE: 0862HY
VA / DOW SKILLBRIDGE
APPROVED
GI Bill® eligible apprenticeship training and transition pathway for eligible active duty members.
*individual benefits vary
WIOA
APPROVED
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding available with Workforce Partnerships and American Job Centers of America
01 / Developing more than just wrestling skills
Preparing you for a career
Our apprenticeship brings together foundational training, event experience, and professional development. The Apprenticeship itself covers all aspects of a professional wrestling event to include business financial literacy, marketing, logistics and personnel management. Choose your path!
01
IN-RING PERFORMANCE
Take the steps to become a Professional Wrestler! The foundational techniques in our program have been curated from years of refinement and knowledge from wrestlers who have traveled worldwide and had on screen experience.
02
OFFICIATING & EVENT SAFETY
A match cannot occur without an in-ring official. Additionally, management of safety staff helps prevent outside dangers from becoming a problem to in-ring personnel and/or fans themselves.
03
BROADCAST, STORYTELLING, and Media ART
Whether you’re interested in live commentary, announcing, interviewing, photo/videography, lighting, audio engineering, or any aspect of the production team, start your journey here!
04
BUSINESS Management
Are you ready to be your own boss? If you want to learn how to start and run a successful business, every graduate of our Apprenticeship Program learns the steps needed to start their own Limited Liability Company (LLC) or register a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) by graduation.
Training in supporting disciplines does not by itself constitute a separately registered apprenticeship occupation.
02 / Lifetime Support
Your Career DOESN’T END AT THE RING.
We continue to support our graduating apprentices with guidance on how your experience can lead to other career options. Many factors can impact your wrestling journey plans, but that doesn’t mean that the industry has closed doors!
Participants can develop a portfolio of training milestones and relevant event experience, guided by the applicable approved program standards.
03 / HOW THE PATHWAY WORKS
TRain with standards
01
start your apprenticeship
Rising Star Entertainment Group tracks ALL apprentices, at minimum, through the Department of Labor. If you decide to train at another location that hosts this program, your progress is tracked, pick up where you left off.
02
Graduate and earn guaranteed wages
You’ve heard of the hotdog and a handshake compensation. Graduating Apprentices are GUARANTEED a waged hourly pay in accordance with state standards. All program sponsors agree to these wage standards.
03
PERFORM & PROGRESS
Like all careers, your compensation increases the more you’ve done your job. Program sponsors agree to a set wage scale with room for negotiation for Journeyworkers and Masterworkers.
2–2½ Years
DOL STANDARD ACCREDITATION PROGRAM
4,000–5,000 hrs
ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCE HOURS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE APPRENTICESHIP
288 hrs
SUPPLEMENTED INSTRUCTION
Duration and hour figures shown are planning references. Final requirements and prior-experience credit are governed by the current registered standards and approved work-process schedule.
04 / COSTS & FUNDING
FIND THE RIGHT TRAINING PATHWAY.
We work with eligible applicants to explain training arrangements and benefits. Funding programs have different rules, and approval does not guarantee that every participant qualifies.
ANNUAL SCHOOL TRAINING RATE
$6,000 / year
Tuition costs are set annually with an expectation of 2-2.5 year attendance rate for students just starting their Professional Wrestling journey.
Acceptance into the registered apprenticeship is not conditioned on paying a fee.
FUNDING OPTIONS & STATUS
DOW SKILLBRIDGE
Transition from active duty
Servicemembers with 180 days or less remaining in service may request to join this program. Approval of this program is subject to the servicemember’s Chain of Command.
GI BILL®
VA
Active Duty and Veteran personnel may use their Ch. 33 or Ch. 35 GI Bill benefits to cover tuition costs and receive a stipend from the VA to cover living expenses while you get educated.
WIOA / ETPL
COUNTY BASED FUNDING
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding has not yet been confirmed. Availability, training provider listing, and local eligibility are subject to approval per county.
COST BREAKDOWN
| Training Costs: | These costs are paid directly to the Professional Wrestling School managing your on-premise Professional Wrestling training. |
| Tuition Costs: | These costs are paid directly to the Industry Professionals that conduct your specialized training (i.e. Lighting, Photography, Medical, etc.) |
| Registration Fee: | This is the fee implemented to register you into all the applicable programs. |
| Books / Supplies: | All instructional materials are provided for the course. Any additional items referenced in instruction is optional. |
| Other: | These costs go to payments such as administrative reporting throughout your Apprenticeship progression. |
05 / TRAINING NETWORK
LOCAL TRAINING. NATIONAL AMBITION.
Start with our Southern California training partners. As the program grows, this directory will expand into a searchable national network of participating locations.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY | CHULA VISTA
PRIMAL PRO WRESTLING SCHOOL
663 Palomar Street, Suite D, Chula Vista, CA 91911
SAN DIEGO COUNTY | SAN MARCOS
SOCAL Pro WrestLING SCHOOL
133 Newport Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069
EDUCATION PATHWAYS
Exploring college and pre-apprenticeship connections.
Our collaboration with WestCal Academy supports the development of pre-apprenticeship pathways. Partner types and eligible program locations will be identified individually as the network expands.
School websites are external. Contact RSEG to confirm current apprenticeship intake and the approved work location for your training arrangement.
06 / COMMON QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU STEP IN?
We want applicants to understand the program before committing to a training pathway.
Does this program only train wrestlers?
The registered apprenticeship is for the approved Independent Professional Wrestler/Actor occupation. Our instruction also introduces related skills in live-event operations, safety, media, and business. While some basic wrestling classes are expected, Apprentices may choose to focus on whichever pathway is best fit for them.
Are there discounts for Veterans?
While there is not specifically a tuition discount, Veterans and other eligible beneficiaries may qualify for VA education benefits while enrolled in approved apprenticeship/on-the-job training. VA determines each applicant’s eligibility and benefit amount.
What is the Timeline for program approval?
This is largely dependent on whichever program you are applying for. As soon as we submit the request from your enrollment, you’ll be notified as soon as we receive response from the appropriate authority. Your enrollment in the DOL Apprenticeship system, however, starts immediately as of the day of paperwork signing.
Are additional school locations coming?
Yes! The overall goal is to build a scalable network of training and education partners. Contact us if your school is interested in discussing affiliation!