Apprenticeships for America (AFA), a nonprofit focused on expanding apprenticeship programs nationwide, launched today amid urgent demand for new education and training approaches that better connect America’s workers to in-demand jobs and rewarding careers in an increasingly dynamic economy.
“Despite decades of evidence that apprenticeships are among the most effective paths to economic mobility, they are both poorly understood and inadequately funded at all levels of the U.S. government,” said Robert I. Lerman, Institute Fellow at the Urban Institute and Chairman of the Board at the new organization. “Today we have a record number of unfilled jobs, including 2 million in professional and business services. Given the track record of apprenticeships, we must explore how to apply the model across many sectors of the U.S. economy. Our goal is to make registered apprenticeship a mainstream, widely available component of how the U.S. prepares young people f or quality jobs and sustainable careers.”
Apprenticeships for America was founded to respond to the challenges facing a strained and overburdened U.S. labor market. The record 11 million unfilled jobs reflects a growing skills mismatch, despite rising college attendance and graduation rates over the last decade. The U.S. education and training system is not up to the task of ensuring that all workers gain the skills employers are seeking. Too many students fall short in pursuing degrees yet end up with excessive student debt. The “academic only” emphasis of schooling often fails those who learn best by doing. Employers become frustrated with the dearth of candidates with the relevant occupational and employability skills, yet too few employers provide the work-based learning vital to achieving a skilled workforce.
The apprenticeship model, in which mostly early-career workers receive training alongside the benefits of full-time employees, is recognized worldwide as the most cost-effective approach to equipping individuals, especially young people, with the technical skills and training required to transition successfully into long-term skilled careers. Yet, in comparison with major industrial economies, registered apprenticeship programs are underutilized by U.S. employers: despite increases over the past generation, U.S. apprenticeships are only one-eighth the level of peer countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
“For decades, policymakers have sought to expand apprenticeships into newer and expanding growth industries,” said Ann Marie Stieritz, the founding director of Apprenticeship Carolina who will serve as a board member for Apprenticeships for America. “In South Carolina, we’ve seen the accelerating impact of intermediary organizations on the ability to expand the ‘learn-to-earn’ apprenticeship model across diverse sectors of our economy. Apprenticeships for America will advocate for scaling registered apprenticeships in tech, healthcare, and other fast-growing sectors by focusing on the role of these intermediary entities and networking with them for broader impact.”
Apprenticeships for America aims to help the United States bring registered apprenticeships to the scale experienced by other advanced economies, such as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. AFA’s multi-pronged strategy for building a robust, sustainable apprenticeship system will include research, advocacy, and grassroots mobilization. AFA will establish the American Apprenticeship Network to enhance collaboration among intermediaries, employers, service providers, schools, and other apprenticeship sponsors, labor representatives, and researchers. The organization will initially focus on strengthening the role of intermediaries such as unions, business services companies, industry associations, staffing companies, nonprofits, and government agencies, which – as demonstrated in other countries – have the potential to organize and sell apprenticeship programs to employers.
“Apprenticeships provide a clear pathway to good jobs. As policymakers and employers alike double down on getting Americans not only back to work, but also into family-sustaining careers, apprenticeships need to be part of the solution,” said Sean Cartwright, the founding executive director of AFA who also served as chief of staff for the Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor in the Obama administration. “We’re seeing incredible innovation and demand across our sector right now. We aim to collaborate with intermediaries, researchers, and funders alike to accelerate the momentum for apprenticeships and ultimately ensure that Americans have access to the best pathways to meet their career aspirations.”
Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story @ New National Organization to Focus on Expanding Apprenticeships Across the U.S. Economy — Apprenticeships for America
Related posts
Apprenticeships – The real costs and benefits (Video)
Turning recommendations into action to improve apprenticeships for employers and learners. Following the publication of its report, The St Martin’s Group, in partnership with City & Guilds and NCFE held an event to discuss the key insights from the report and explore how the recommendations could be delivered to drive greater update and improvements in … Continue reading
Portable Apprenticeships in UK – A consultation
Apprenticeships are more important than ever in equipping individuals and businesses with the skills they need as we build back better from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The UK government wants to make sure apprenticeships reflect modern models of employment for all employers in all sectors. In sectors such as the creative industries, construction and digital, … Continue reading
Apprenticeship in Canada, 2019 – Just under one-third of apprentices had certified in their trade six years after registration
In 2013, there were 93,430 apprentices who began their training. By 2019, six years into the program, those who registered in 2013 were less likely to certify in their trade and more likely to discontinue, compared with those who had registered in 2011 and 2012. This leads to growing concerns about the potential shortage of … Continue reading
Apprenticeship Levy in UK – A substantial shift away from lower-level apprenticeship starts to higher-level starts
The English apprenticeship system has experienced a series of major reforms in recent years, affecting apprenticeship length, quality, level and funding. In particular, the UK government has introduced an Apprenticeship Levy to help fund apprenticeship starts for large employers. Since April 2017, all employers with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million contribute … Continue reading
Apprenticeship in US – How to build and sustain a high-quality system
The 2016 election heightened an ongoing debate in the United States about how best to respond to two of the foremost economic challenges of the current era: stagnant wages and a dearth of promising career prospects for American workers without a bachelor’s degree. These challenges persist despite a dramatic increase in recent decades in years … Continue reading
Apprenticeship in Canada – Less than one-fifth complete their training within the designated time period
Less than one-fifth of people who embark upon an apprenticeship program in Canada complete their training within the designated time period. Less than one-fifth Apprentices in higher-paying apprenticeship positions are more likely to complete their program within a given period of time than those in lower-paying positions, according to a new study. Skilled trades are … Continue reading
Apprenticeship Levy in UK – Type of apprentice (career starter, career changer or upskiller) impacted on the value and effectiveness of prior learning assessments
The apprenticeship levy was introduced in 2017 as part of wider reforms to improve apprenticeship quality and employer engagement.This research provides insight into the impact of the levy on employers’ decision-making and whether levy funds were used for additional training or to replace other forms of training. It also explores how employers and providers assess … Continue reading
Apprenticeships after Covid in UK – What future ?
The Covid-19 pandemic outbreak and the ensuing economic uncertainty caused interruptions to apprenticeship training. This is putting the future of apprenticeships at risk just at the time when they will be most needed to protect employment and sustain the recovery. Apprenticeships offer a mix of training on the job and additional off-the-job training. This is … Continue reading
Apprenticeships in UK – It is the combination of on- and off-the job training elements that contribute to its success
Understanding the potential contribution of time spent undertaking on- and off-the-job training to meet identified learning needs, their relative advantages and the inter-relationship between sector skills and development opportunities is particularly pertinent today due to recent developments in apprenticeships in England – the government’s flagship skills training programme undertaken by over 800,000 employees. policy mandates … Continue reading
COVID and Apprenticeships in European – The aim is not to lose the year, but unsure on the final assessment
Cedefop’s community of apprenticeship experts launched an internal consultation on how European countries are managing apprenticeships in the current health emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic. Twenty five experts contributed to this exercise from: Austria, Belgium (fr, fl, de), Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, … Continue reading
Apprenticeship Levy in UK – The evidence on the composition and distribution of apprenticeship training
The Apprenticeship system has been subject to a number of major changes in recent years. These include: the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017 for employers with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million; a change in funding rules for all employers; and the transition from Apprenticeship Frameworks to Apprenticeship Standards which, … Continue reading
Apprenticeships in UK – A steady rise in the number of starts at higher-education
The DfE publication included final figures on the number and type of apprenticeships that were started over the 2018/19 academic year. It confirmed one trend that we have continuously identified: the fall in apprenticeship starts at Level 2, and the steady rise in the number of starts at higher-education (Level 4+) levels, as the chart … Continue reading
Apprenticeship in US – The wage and participation gap
In recent years, U.S. apprenticeship programs have become popular among politicians, workforce advocates, workers, and employers—and it’s easy to understand why. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), people who complete an apprenticeship program can expect to earn an average annual income of approximately $60,000—slightly above the 2016 U.S. national median household income. In … Continue reading
The Apprenticeship Levy in UK – What is it ?
In April 2017 the Government implemented the apprenticeship levy, a mandatory employer tax that contributes to apprenticeship development. Yet not all employers need to pay this tax. The apprenticeship levy is only paid by organisations with a pay bill of over £3 million each year (regardless of whether they employ any apprentices). Levy Payers: Organisations … Continue reading
Apprenticeship in UK – Understanding recent changes
In 2017 there was overhaul to the apprenticeships system in England: large firms were required to pay 0.5 per cent of their wage bill into an apprenticeship levy, while regulations on training and delivery were firmed up. Two years on, this briefing note takes stock of the system, looking at what’s changed, why and where … Continue reading
Apprenticeships – An analytical framework for analysing systems and schemes
Cedefop’s analytical framework for apprenticeships is a tool for analysing apprenticeship systems and schemes in Europe and, possibly, beyond. Cedefop’s analytical framework for apprenticeships is not modelled on a single recommended type of apprenticeship system or scheme – it draws on features that appear to work in more than one apprenticeship system or scheme and … Continue reading
Industry-Driven Apprenticeship in US – A true alternative with a two-track system for skills standards
Changing technology, growing skills mismatches and weak wage growth are drawing attention to the need for more sophisticated, more relevant career and technical skills, especially for workers who lack a four-year college degree. Among the most effective ways to raise skill levels and prepare workers for rewarding careers is with apprenticeships that combine classroom learning … Continue reading
Pre-Apprenticeship in US – To prepare individuals to enter and succeed
Pre-apprenticeship programs are designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship or other high-quality apprenticeship program, and ultimately a career. They can be delivered by a range of entities including community-based organizations, high schools, labor organizations, workforce agencies, or community colleges. For educational institutions, the programs can and should integrate directly … Continue reading
Apprenticeship Levy and Employer Underinvestment in Training in UK – Verdict : Not yet
The UK has suffered a long-term and substantial decline in employer investment in training over past decades. Figures show declining employee participation in workplace training, and that a substantial portion of the training done is only induction or compliance-based. As part of an attempt to reverse the trend, the government introduced the Apprenticeship Levy in … Continue reading
Apprenticeships – An analytical framework
Cedefop’s analytical framework for apprenticeships is a tool for analysing apprenticeship systems and schemes in Europe and, possibly, beyond. Cedefop’s analytical framework for apprenticeships is not modelled on a single recommended type of apprenticeship system or scheme – it draws on features that appear to work in more than one apprenticeship system or scheme and … Continue reading
Degree Apprenticeships in UK – The number is rapidly increasing
Degree apprenticeships are a success story. The number of people starting degree apprenticeships is rapidly increasing, the range of apprenticeships on offer is broadening and the first degree apprentices have recently graduated. But progress developing degree apprenticeships in England is being held back by poor levels of awareness among school pupils, parents and employers. Bold … Continue reading
The Levy and Apprenticeship in Small Firms in England – 92 per cent are held by 16-24 year olds
This report shines a light on the impact of the apprenticeship reforms on small businesses in England. It should inform Government decision-making to improve the system, feeding into the ongoing Review of the Apprenticeship Levy and the upcoming Spending Review. This report is based on quantitative and qualitative data collated from FSB members. It is … Continue reading
Apprenticeships in UK – Should be broader, higher quality, better prepared
Apprenticeships are seen as the jewel in the crown of technical education in the UK. While they are generally perceived positively by the businesses and apprentices involved, and some significant progress has been made in recent years, there is no doubt that this particular jewel risks becoming significantly tarnished. Our evidence shows that, with the … Continue reading
Vocational vs General Education in Apprenticeship – The life-cycle trade-off
This paper discusses the role of vocational education, and in particular apprenticeship education, in preparing students for the labor market, with a particular focus on a life-cycle perspective in changing economies. The basic idea is that vocational education may facilitate entry into the labor market but hurt employment opportunities later in life because of limited … Continue reading
Apprenticeships in England – What do we know?
Increasing the quantity and quality of apprenticeships is high on the policy agenda in England. Research on this issue is a central focus of the Centre for Vocational Education Research (CVER). Sandra McNally summarises some of the most significant findings to date. An apprenticeship is usually thought of as a programme of work and study … Continue reading
Apprenticeships in UK – The National Audit Office Report: is it providing value for money ?
This report assesses whether the apprenticeships programme is providing value for money. Background to the report The Department for Education is accountable for the apprenticeships programme, including securing value for money. The Education and Skills Funding Agency is responsible for apprenticeships policy and funding, and for overseeing the delivery of apprenticeships. The apprenticeships programme is … Continue reading
Apprenticeships in Advanced Manufacturing – Dual apprenticeship competes increasingly with academic pathways
Building on the analysis of national apprenticeship systems in the 2018 Eurofound report Adaptation of national apprenticeship systems to advanced manufacturing, this report summarises the results of 14 case studies of good practice in the manufacturing sector in five EU Member States (Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland and Italy) and two countries outside Europe (Australia and … Continue reading
Attitudes toward Apprenticeships in UK – They are becoming more positive but their number still decreases
Despite the number of new apprentices starts in Britain falling last year, new research released from leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP, ahead of National Apprenticeship Week (5-9 March), finds that attitudes towards apprenticeship programmes are becoming more positive. According to provisional government statistics released in February 2018*, apprenticeship starts for the … Continue reading
Implementing Technology-Focused Apprenticeship – Nine common issues and strategies
The goal of this report is to highlight effective employer engagement practices and identify key lessons learned from implementing technology-focused apprenticeship programs. To identify effective practices, JFF interviewed eight individuals who are implementing these types of programs through the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) to answer four questions: 1. How are tech apprenticeship programs engaging employers? … Continue reading
Apprenticeship in US – A key component to the solution to the skills gap
Apprenticeship programs, when implemented effectively, provide workers with a career path featuring paid on-the-job training, skills development, and mentorship, while at the same time providing employers with a steady source of highly trained and productive workers. These programs have the potential to grow into a critical and successful component of America’s workforce strategy, but are … Continue reading
The State of Apprenticeship in the United States
Today, the federal government spends $18 billion for on-the-job training to help workers secure the skills and training they need to access in-demand, well-paying jobs. That number is dwarfed by the estimated $600 billion a year that employers spend on formal and informal training. Employers clearly are committed to investing in their workers. The question … Continue reading
Apprenticeship Levy in UK – Assessing the early impact from an employers’ perspective
The purpose of this research is to understand the early impact of the apprenticeship levy on employer behaviour and assess the likely future impact on the quality and quantity of apprenticeships, as well as on broader investment in workforce skills development and training. Before summarising the key findings, it’s important to note that there is still … Continue reading
Supporting people with English language needs to access apprenticeships in UK – A guide
This guide has been developed by Learning and Work Institute as part of a wider project, undertaken at the request of the Department for Education (DfE), to understand and address barriers to apprenticeships for those with English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) needs. The project aimed to: • establish how and to what extent … Continue reading
Apprenticeship Training – Do firms benefit from it ?
The workforce strategy of firms is increasingly important for competitiveness and for producing at high quality and low costs. Firms must decide on the mix of skills and wages for current and future operations and on whether to train skilled workers or hire them from the open labour market. While traditional human capital theory states … Continue reading
Apprenticeship and VET in Sweden – The overall level of company participation in apprenticeships is low
The Swedish VET system offers 12 national vocational programmes that aim at preparing students for the labour market and can be pursued through two different modes of delivery: the school-based scheme (skolförlagd utbildning) that includes compulsory in-company training, or apprenticeship education (lärlingsutbildning). The school-based and the apprenticeship schemes lead to the same vocational diploma (yrkesexamen) … Continue reading
The Apprenticeship Levy In UK – A substantial reduction in apprenticeship numbers
Over half of today’s 19-year-olds are engaged in either work, training, vocational study or an apprenticeship, the last of which being a government priority. This morning, the Department for Education published figures outlining the number of people who started an apprenticeship in May, with May marking one year since the apprenticeship levy and its associated … Continue reading
Apprenticeship in Europe – In 24 out of the 30 countries covered by the study
This report details Cedefop’s first cross-nation study of apprenticeships in the European Union. The point of departure for the study is what countries define and offer as apprenticeship training. It then applies a purposive approach to identifying the changes that apprenticeships are undergoing in practice, based on their design characteristics. Largely based on data collected … Continue reading
Apprenticeship in Australia – A clear need to implement higher programs
For some time, the participation levels in apprenticeships and traineeships in Australia have been falling. The latest available data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research confirms the downward trend for the last decade. As at December 2017 there were 256,140 apprentices and trainees in training. This is a progressive fall from 435,115 in … Continue reading
Apprenticeship in UK – The number starts has been driven mainly by those over 25 years of age
In recent weeks, there has been much controversy over the slowdown in the number of apprenticeship starts and the potential connection with the change in the funding system. The context is one in which there is a government target to have 3 million apprenticeship starts between 2015 and 2020. In the light of recent controversies, … Continue reading
Apprenticeship in England, United Kingdom – There is still some way to go to establish an apprenticeship system to match those of the strongest countries OECD says
Across many countries, apprenticeship is now experiencing a revival, in the light of a wide range of evidence demonstrating its effectiveness as a means of transitioning young people into work, and serving the economy. But few countries can match the energy and range of reforms currently being pursued in England. Key findings England has launched … Continue reading
The First Full Year of the Apprenticeships Levy in UK – The number of people starting an apprenticeship over 40 per cent lower
Now that the apprenticeship levy has completed its first full year of operation, this report reviews the available evidence to determine whether the levy will, as the Government hopes, “incentivise more employers to provide quality apprenticeships” and “transform the lives of young people who secure them”. The levy itself is, in effect, a tax of … Continue reading
Apprenticeships in Norway – Schemes that can improve the chances of completing VET
Many countries with apprenticeship-based systems of VET face a shortage of apprenticeships. Some countries, including Denmark and Norway, address this supply-demand mismatch by offering alternative school-based routes to vocational qualifications for students not able to secure an apprenticeship. Other countries offer no alternative routes, but focus instead on pre-vocational education and training to prepare students … Continue reading
UK – What distinguishes schools which guide significant numbers of pupils into apprenticeships from those which do not?
Recent government figures have shown that despite the overall number of apprenticeships increasing, the number of under 19s starts have stagnated at around 20%. With the support of the Commercial Education Trust (CET), this project explores the characteristics of schools and individuals who buck the trend and asks: what distinguishes schools which guide significant numbers … Continue reading
Firms Benefits and Costs of Apprenticeship – Seven questions to determine how to align it with their goals
This paper presents an initial study of the benefits and costs faced by firms with apprenticeship programs. Recent policy focus on skill development and worker training has not been matched by a detailed understanding of the business case for apprenticeship. Based on conversations, site visits, and data collection with 13 organizations, we created a detailed … Continue reading
Job Market Monitor 
Discussion
No comments yet.