Registered apprenticeships
Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
- This strategy can provide assistance to unemployed workers. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
- Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Program overview
Preparing individuals for in-demand careers: Registered Apprenticeships are on-the-job workforce training programs that prepare individuals to move from low-skill, entry-level positions to full occupational proficiency in a specific industry. Participating in a Registered Apprenticeship Program is associated with higher average earnings and lower rates of unemployment.
Operating across multiple industries: Registered Apprenticeship Programs are registered through the U.S. Department of Labor, but typically operated by a local sponsor, such as workforce intermediary, community college, or business consortium. Programs are offered across multiple industries, including advanced manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and transportation.
Providing paid employment and training: Registered Apprenticeships are paid jobs, and apprentices earn higher wages as they learn skills and their productivity increases. To prepare participants for a successful career, programs provide structured, on-the-job training, which includes instruction from an experienced mentor. Apprentices may also receive supplemental classroom education depending on the training needs of their field. The cost of all training and education is covered by the program sponsor.
A pathway to a credential and permanent employment: The length and requirements associated with a Registered Apprenticeship Program vary depending on the sponsor and occupation. Upon completion of their program, however, apprentices earn a nationally-recognized credential relevant to their industry, and most retain employment with their program sponsor.
- Strategies
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Sector-specific job training
- Cost per Participant
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Variable
Multiple studies with less rigorous designs provide some evidence for Registered Apprenticeships as a strategy to increase workers’ earnings.
A 2022 program evaluation found that participation in a Registered Apprenticeship was associated with a 49 percent increase in annual earnings from the year prior to starting the apprenticeship to the year after completing it.
A 2012 program evaluation found that participation in a Registered Apprenticeship Program was associated with an average increase in annual earnings of $5,839.
Identify partners across sectors: Successful apprenticeship programs are typically the product of collaboration between a range of stakeholders, including employers, workforce intermediaries, educational institutions, and public workforce agencies. Each of these partners has a critical role to play in the design and operation of an apprenticeship program (e.g., a community college can offer expertise on curriculum development and provide instruction for apprentices, while employers can advise on their workforce needs).
Select an appropriate training model: In a traditional apprenticeship model, apprentices receive both on-the-job training and classroom instruction concurrently throughout the program. In contrast, a “front-loaded” model requires apprentices to complete all related instruction prior to beginning work and on-the-job training. Other models, like the “segmented” model, where apprentices alternate between instruction and on-the-job training, also exist. Sponsors should select a model based on the training requirements of each occupation. For example, the “front-loaded” model may be appropriate for an occupation requiring significant up-skilling prior to the first day on the job.
Create a recruitment strategy: To attract diverse and high-quality applicants to an apprenticeship program, sponsors and their partners should conduct outreach to stakeholders that are not a part of the core partnership. As most apprentices learn about their apprenticeship program through their employers, local businesses should be key targets for outreach. Creating a pre-apprenticeship program, which is often run in partnership with a high school or community college, is a structured approach that can lead to a more diverse candidate pool.
Register the program: Programs should register through the U.S. Department of Labor to demonstrate that they have met a set of national standards for apprenticeship programs. By registering, programs can receive access to a number of benefits, including free technical assistance, tax credits, additional funding, and more.