Sarah Steinberg

This report examines a suite of innovative apprenticeship models from around the country. It provides detailed case studies of Vermont Healthcare and Information Technology Education Center, or Vermont HITEC; the Michigan Advanced Technologies Training program, or MAT2; the SEIU Healthcare NW Training Partnership; the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, or NIMS, Certified Registered Apprenticeship program; and Apprenticeship Carolina. From effective marketing and business engagement to… Show more

This report examines a suite of innovative apprenticeship models from around the country. It provides detailed case studies of Vermont Healthcare and Information Technology Education Center, or Vermont HITEC; the Michigan Advanced Technologies Training program, or MAT2; the SEIU Healthcare NW Training Partnership; the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, or NIMS, Certified Registered Apprenticeship program; and Apprenticeship Carolina. From effective marketing and business engagement to financial incentives and thorough skills assessments, these models exemplify a number of compelling strategies to expand apprenticeships into new occupations and sectors and to increase overall apprenticeship enrollment. Show less

As policymakers look to expand apprenticeships into new sectors and occupations—such as advanced manufacturing, health care, and information technology—it will be crucial to establish apprenticeship as a credible form of certification in the eyes of employers. To accomplish this, employers should develop industrywide standards that validate that a worker who has successfully completed an apprenticeship possesses the specific knowledge and competencies required for employment in that industry.

For all its benefits, apprenticeship is significantly underutilized in the United States. The U.S. Department of Labor currently administers a small system of more than 375,000 active registered apprentices. Here’s how that stacks up to five other developed countries—England, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Scotland—for the 2012 academic year. These countries have model apprenticeship programs that are either already well developed and an integral part of that country’s respective workforce… Show more

For all its benefits, apprenticeship is significantly underutilized in the United States. The U.S. Department of Labor currently administers a small system of more than 375,000 active registered apprentices. Here’s how that stacks up to five other developed countries—England, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Scotland—for the 2012 academic year. These countries have model apprenticeship programs that are either already well developed and an integral part of that country’s respective workforce or apprenticeship programs that have grown demonstrably over the past few years through innovative policies that could be replicated in the United States. Show less

Employers are increasingly worried about finding and holding on to quality, skilled workers and economists warn of a widening skills gap. What are employers to do? Apprenticeship—that age-old worker-training model that pairs on-the-job training with classroom instruction—just may be the solution to employers’ woes.

Policymakers at the state level are also getting behind apprenticeship. Starting in 2007, South Carolina launched Apprenticeship Carolina, and with it a major expansion of apprenticeships in the state. Iowa recently budgeted $3 million per year to help businesses and trade unions pay for the startup costs of apprenticeship programs. In Vermont, Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) has proposed expanding apprenticeships, saying “graduates will have a bright future in Vermont and earn good wages as skilled… Show more

Policymakers at the state level are also getting behind apprenticeship. Starting in 2007, South Carolina launched Apprenticeship Carolina, and with it a major expansion of apprenticeships in the state. Iowa recently budgeted $3 million per year to help businesses and trade unions pay for the startup costs of apprenticeship programs. In Vermont, Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) has proposed expanding apprenticeships, saying “graduates will have a bright future in Vermont and earn good wages as skilled tradespeople.” Indeed, there are a number of steps states can take to promote apprenticeship. Show less

From 2009 to 2012, England more than doubled the number of people starting apprenticeship programs each year, while also expanding the gender and occupational reach of apprenticeships. As the United States looks to significantly expand its own apprenticeship system, policymakers can learn from England’s experience. In particular, England demonstrates that by increasing marketing, establishing business outreach, and creating financial incentives for businesses to sponsor apprentices, it was able… Show more

From 2009 to 2012, England more than doubled the number of people starting apprenticeship programs each year, while also expanding the gender and occupational reach of apprenticeships. As the United States looks to significantly expand its own apprenticeship system, policymakers can learn from England’s experience. In particular, England demonstrates that by increasing marketing, establishing business outreach, and creating financial incentives for businesses to sponsor apprentices, it was able to create new apprenticeship opportunities that boost worker’s employment outcomes, improve businesses’ productivity, and generate new economic growth. Show less

This week, more than 1,000 Scottish companies will participate in Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2014, highlighting the success of the country’s recent efforts to dramatically increase apprenticeships. As U.S. policymakers set out to double the number of apprenticeships in America over the next five years, Scotland serves as an example of a country that has done just that.

Republicans in the House of Representatives released a report in February that relies on a misleading and incomplete review of social-science literature to paint the nation’s anti-poverty programs as largely ineffectual and counterproductive.

Expanding the U.S. apprenticeship system both in number of participants and available occupations would strengthen the American economy by helping businesses meet the demand for skilled workers while offering workers higher wages and better employment outcomes. Such an initiative would especially benefit Millennials, who are struggling with disproportionately high unemployment, low-wage jobs, rising college costs, and spiraling student debt. Apprenticeships can create promising new pathways for… Show more

Expanding the U.S. apprenticeship system both in number of participants and available occupations would strengthen the American economy by helping businesses meet the demand for skilled workers while offering workers higher wages and better employment outcomes. Such an initiative would especially benefit Millennials, who are struggling with disproportionately high unemployment, low-wage jobs, rising college costs, and spiraling student debt. Apprenticeships can create promising new pathways for young workers to well-paying, middle-class jobs. Show less

At a time when too many American workers lack the education and training to secure well-paying, middle-class jobs, and American businesses increasingly rely on high-skill workers to innovate and expand, we believe that apprenticeships hold great promise for addressing our nation’s economic challenges. In this report, we will discuss America’s insufficient workforce training system, demonstrate that apprenticeships are a time-tested solution to our workforce training challenges, and propose a… Show more

At a time when too many American workers lack the education and training to secure well-paying, middle-class jobs, and American businesses increasingly rely on high-skill workers to innovate and expand, we believe that apprenticeships hold great promise for addressing our nation’s economic challenges. In this report, we will discuss America’s insufficient workforce training system, demonstrate that apprenticeships are a time-tested solution to our workforce training challenges, and propose a set of policies to expand apprenticeships while addressing the reasons they have not yet been widely adopted in the United States. Show less