Dive Brief:
- Employers are finding success with modern apprenticeships, according to a new report from Institute for WorkPlace Skills & Innovation America (IWSI).
- With U.S. employers reporting challenges finding skilled workers, many are adopting programs that combine classroom learning and on-the-job training. Employers such as Mailchimp, Adobe and CVS Health have demonstrated the effectiveness and versatility of apprenticeships in, health care, cybersecurity, engineering and more, according to the report.
- Workers seem to be benefiting as well: The average starting wage for apprentices is more than $60,000, IWSI said, and apprentices mostly complete programs debt-free.
Dive Insight:
A majority of adults believe an apprenticeship program has a better chance of landing them a job than a four-year degree, a recent American Staffing Association survey revealed. And based on IWSI’s report, they may be on to something. From the food industry to insurance, apprentice programs are emerging as a way to train employees and generate a talent pipeline.
Apprenticeships are nothing new, of course, but businesses today are looking past the traditional trade-oriented offerings to develop programs in unexpected disciplines, like cybersecurity. Employers are increasingly developing structured, work-based learning programs.
Apprenticeships are seeing a push from the Trump administration, too, with funding and discussion groups planning initiatives to update these avenues to employment.