Establish Apprenticeships
Help people of all ages earn as they train, learn on the job, and finish with the experience and credentials that open bigger doors. Apprenticeships can take many forms and have different goals, but organizations that offer them have the opportunity to increase economic stability for their neighbors. Communities win, as well, with local talent filling local jobs.
To Get Started:
Define Program Structure and Identify Employer Partnership: Determine whether the apprenticeship will be a Registered Apprenticeship or a company-run program. Establish key contacts, mentors, compensation, and a projected start date.
Write the standards, set instruction, and lock in supports: Define expectations for selected apprentices, skills required and skills to be learned, and mentor plan to support apprentices.
Launch and measure: Start small, identify issues that arise for employer and apprentice, track progress and task completion. Fix what does not work well, then scale.
Examples of Best Practices / Innovative Programs:
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Aon U.S. Apprenticeships offers paid, two-year roles that integrate real-world client engagement with college coursework in diverse fields such as insurance, human resources, and technology, showcasing how large employers can foster non-degree entry points.
Zurich North America apprentices earn while they train, complete partner college credits, and transition into full-time roles. It highlights that apprenticeships are effective in professional services as well as in the trades.
Accenture Apprentices train for IT and consulting roles while taking college classes and building workplace skills. It is a plug-in path for firms that need early-career tech talent without four-year degree barriers.
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CareerWise Colorado helps high school students divide their time between classes, college credit, and paid work across various occupations. It links classrooms to hiring needs, so students graduate with experience and a wage.
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Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship (DWD) is a longstanding state initiative that places high school juniors and seniors in paid positions with structured training, demonstrating how coordinated state efforts can consistently create pathways and employer partnerships.
Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program acts as a “front door” for residents seeking apprenticeship opportunities while aiding employers in establishing registered programs, effectively minimizing barriers to entry.
NC Career Launch is a statewide hub that connects young people to registered youth apprenticeships tied to local demand. It makes the path visible and fast, with low cost to students.
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Year Up United has a tuition-free model that combines technical training, professional skills development, and corporate internships that lead to employment opportunities. It demonstrates that wraparound supports, combined with employer commitments, drive completions and wage gains.
Apprenti is a national intermediary that recruits, trains, and places registered tech apprentices with major employers. It gives regions a turnkey pipeline for hard-to-hire IT roles.
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Foundation for California Community Colleges provides statewide technical assistance that helps colleges and employers design, launch, and improve programs. It is a scalable play for funders aiming to expand apprenticeship opportunities.
PAYA (Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship) is a collaborative initiative that supports cities and states in establishing high-quality youth apprenticeships, accelerating the development of local pilots into durable systems.
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Cleveland Clinic Apprenticeships offers earn-and-learn roles across various sectors such as pharmacy tech and IT, often leading to credentialing. It shows that large health systems can grow their own workforce while filling critical vacancies.
Atrium Health “Rise to Success” participants engage in work and study while receiving sponsorships for allied health careers, providing a clear pathway to living-wage roles within a single health system.
