While the concept of apprenticeship traces back to the Middle Ages, what an apprenticeship program entails has drastically changed over the years.
Today’s apprenticeships programs promote the knowledge of skills and crafts that used to be passed on by family tradition. Now they are front and center in a movement to grow businesses and groom talent for a productive economy.
Why Apprenticeship Matters to Businesses
Apprenticeship is an effective solution for any business to recruit, train, and retain highly-skilled workers. It helps employers on-board new employees quickly, better retain employees through mentorship, and boast an industry-recognized credentialed workforce.
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To ensure success, businesses need to implement effective training curriculum that includes basic occupational skills and job readiness (soft) skills, specifically tailored to their workforce needs. This is where partnerships with community colleges and universities can prove to be extremely helpful. Educational institutions seek out business partnerships because of the benefits to students, and are often more than willing to help develop training curriculum.
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A business should also have a heavy hand in designing the program model based on its needs. According to the Department of Labor, common models include:
- Pre-apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship Model: Pre-apprenticeship programs provide basic skills training, work readiness, and other foundational skills to prepare youth or adult workers to succeed in Registered Apprenticeship programs. Pre-apprenticeship programs have formal partnerships with one or more Registered Apprenticeship programs. Participants begin a Registered Apprenticeship program once they have met the basic qualifications for entry into the apprenticeship.
- Traditional Apprenticeship Model: Apprentices receive both related instruction and on-the-job training concurrently throughout the program.
- Front-loaded Apprenticeship Model: Apprentices complete some related instruction or classes before starting on the job, in order to learn critical skills needed the first day at the job site. The related instruction may be provided by the employer or a partner, such as a community college.
- Segmented Apprenticeship Model: Apprentices alternate between related instruction and on-the-job training.
No matter the model, the responsibilities of the business remain the same. Employers must identify the skills and knowledge that apprentices must learn and provide on-the-job training. When teaming up with the right educational partner, the two can provide instruction that supports this training.
Why Apprenticeship Matters to Students / Apprentices
Apprenticeships offer workers increased skills, higher wages, industry-recognized credentials and opportunities for career advancement.
Students receive ongoing support to complete the program, including mentorships and peer network participation, which is key to helping students envision their future careers. While mentorship is in the best interest of businesses for retention purposes, the individual attention also helps to set the stage for career success and advancement of students.
There are also major financial benefits. Apprenticeships are often paid, so students are not looking at tuition fees or student debt. Starting employment earlier also means there’s a better chance students can progress in their careers quickly and begin earning a good salary early.
Why Apprenticeship Matters to State and Local Governments
A collaborative effort among businesses, educational institutions, and other community organizations to determine necessary resources, develop curriculum, and recruit apprentices is critical for successful apprenticeship programs. However, guidance and resources from state and local governments is what gets these programs off the ground.
There are two main questions state and local governments should ask themselves when considering involvement with apprenticeship programs.
- What does our local labor market data say about industries that are growing in the region and in need of skilled workers?
- What supply and demand gaps exist for workers in growing occupations, particularly in occupations that require credentials?
By working with a public workforce system, local governments can formalize industry sector strategies and career pathway initiatives utilizing apprenticeship. State governments, like Virginia, have quickly realized the benefits of funneling resources into apprenticeship programs. The state just last year announced grant funding that aims to accelerate apprenticeships by increasing outreach to employers to start new apprenticeship programs and integrate apprenticeships into education and workforce development systems.
Apprenticeships have become a proven workforce solution model, benefiting businesses, educational institutions, students, and the economy. It’s the collaboration among these key stakeholders that is necessary to ensure success.
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