Toll Free: 877.880.

4477
Phone: 281.880.6525

Certified
Apprenticeship
Programs Helps
Fill Skills Gap

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The Department of Labor (DOL) has been promoting the use of
apprenticeships for over 75 years. According to the most recent DOL data,
about half a million workers are participating in apprenticeship programs in
more than 1,000 different occupations. On average, between 1,500 and 2,000
new certified apprenticeship programs are created each year.

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Here are some of the ways employers can benefit from such a program:

Apprentices receive customized training that results in highly skilled

employees trained to your needs.

On-the-job learning from an assigned mentor combined with related

technical instruction increases productivity and knowledge transfer.

Employees who have undergone an apprenticeship are highly likely to

remain loyal employees.

A focus on safety training can reduce workers' compensation costs.

An apprenticeship program provides a stable and predictable pipeline for

the development of qualified workers.

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 A participating company can gain a reputation as an employer that's
willing to invest in its employees.

Certified apprenticeship programs offer a systematic approach to training

that ensures employees have the ability to produce at the highest skill
levels required for that occupation.

As for the employees, chances are they won't want to participate in an

apprenticeship unless they could see it as benefiting them directly. A well-
developed apprenticeship program offers a participant the opportunity to
qualify for a paying job, and provides the training needed to command higher
wages.

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 Program Variety
While most apprenticeships are in traditional trades like construction and
manufacturing, there are also many apprentices working in service industries
including transportation, health care, wholesale, retail, administration, data
processing, finance and insurance.

Although employers can structure an apprenticeship any way they want,

programs certified by the DOL's Office of Apprenticeship (in conjunction with
state agencies) generally will be more meaningful to prospective and current
employees. That's because they can earn a "Completion of Registered
Apprenticeship" certificate that credibly attests to their achievement. It's
similar to a diploma from a trade school, which might be the only formal
recognition of training achievement participants receive.

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 5 Steps to Creating a Registered Program
Employers interested in developing a registered apprenticeship program can
follow these five steps, outlined by the DOL.

Step 1. Think through an apprenticeship strategy by addressing these

questions: What are the biggest hiring challenges in the present workforce for
technical jobs that don't require a college degree? Does your workforce
already include employees who could participate along with new hires? Will
the manpower challenge likely remain the same in the future, or grow?

Step 2: Scout out partner organizations. "Apprenticeship programs are born

from collaboration among partners," states the DOL. Those include other
businesses, industry associations, labor organizations, educational institutions
(for example, community colleges), community foundations, and the public
workforce system (such as dispatchers). The partner organizations can help
design the apprenticeship, provide some of the educational resources, and
the apprentices themselves. For the program to be certified, a state
apprenticeship agency must be involved.
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Step 3. Build a program. These are the components that are needed:

Direct business involvement. That is, identify who will fill the leadership
roles within the existing staff.

On-the-job training, the basic job aspect of the program.

"Related instruction," or learning that takes place outside of the job itself,
including classroom-based training.

Rewards for skill gains. Plan for an communicate to apprentices the

financial rewards they will enjoy as they achieve key milestones (and thus
become more valuable to the business). And

The end game. The point at which the apprenticeship is completed, and
the certification that accompanies it.

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Step 4. Register the program with the "Apprenticeship USA Network" a
group of organizations that have the authority to deem a well-planned
program eligible for apprentices to receive their "Completion of Registered
Apprenticeship" certificate. Being registered can also possibly qualify a
company for state and federal tax credits, and other forms of financial
support.

Step 5. Flip the switch and launch the program. Be sure to have systems in
place to evaluate the success of the program as it moves forward, and make
any necessary adjustments on the fly or with each new apprentice.

Creating and maintaining an active apprenticeship program may seem like a

daunting task. But it will likely be much less intimidating once it's in process,
particularly if it's modeled after similar organizations that have successful
ongoing programs. Business owners can benefit from the lessons learned by
others who've gone before them, and in the process, make setting up a
successful apprentice program easier and more likely to succeed.

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14550 Torrey Chase Blvd., Ste. 360 Houston, TX 77014 USA
Toll Free : 877.880.4477
Phone : 281.880.6525
Fax : 281.866.9426

E-mail : info@hrp.net

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