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POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS Economic and Workforce Health
Policy Recommendation 6:
State policymakers and agencies can consider ways to highlight the benefits of apprenticeship programs to youth and young adults.
The Economic and Workforce Subcommittee unanimously approved this recommendation in support of raising awareness of the benefits that apprenticeships offer.
With a workforce shortage in skilled trades, Gov. Gianforte has made it a top priority to strengthen workforce development pipelines. Through comprehensive regulatory reform and public-private partnerships, our state is leading the way in expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities for young Montanans, with record apprenticeship growth so far this year. Working with families, industry, schools and colleges, we’ll continue to promote access to good-paying careers to keep our kids in state and drive our economy forward.”
— Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras, Montana
Apprenticeships provide workers with new skills, opportunities to earn college credit, income to meet basic needs, a nationally or state recognized credential and gateways to a quality career and economic mobility. Apprentices earn an average starting salary of $77,000 after completing their programs and earn in excess of $300,000 more than their peers over their lifetime.1 However, there were only about 593,000 apprentices around the country in fiscal year 2021.2
One challenge in recruiting young people into apprenticeship programs is the stigma that this pathway to employment is less valuable than four-year degree programs.3 Other myths that stigmatize apprenticeships include that they are interchangeable with internships, available only for trade jobs and costly for employers and participants. Additionally, youth completing K-12 studies might only hear about apprenticeships from school counselors who may not be well versed in these programs.
State leaders looking to expand apprenticeships in their jurisdictions might consider how they can address the stigma in promotional materials. To ensure accuracy of the information presented to K-12 students about apprenticeship, it might be beneficial to educate counselors on local apprenticeship opportunities and non-traditional pathways. State leaders might also work with private partners to provide more opportunities for youth and young adults to learn about paid pathways to employment outside of school.
State Examples
Next Steps Idaho is a statewide initiative to support Idahoans through their education, training and career journey. The initiative highlights workbased learning opportunities in two subcategories. The "Learn Through Work” subcategory includes activities such as clinics, co-ops, pre-apprenticeships and internships. The “Learn at Work” subcategory includes apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, on-the-job training and school-to-registered-apprenticeships programs. The “School to Registered Apprenticeship” program targets students aged 16 and older and is an extension of the state’s registered apprenticeship program. The program requires the approval of both the school and a parent or guardian for a student to participate.4
The Maryland Department of Labor holds several events in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week. These events highlight the opportunities offered through apprenticeships. Among the events Maryland carries out, the state gives Apprenticeship Awards to recognize exemplary apprenticeship participants, and to highlight apprenticeship as an outstanding workforce development model.5
Additional Resources
State Policy Playbook to Advance Youth Apprenticeship — https://www.nga.org/publications/state-policy-playbook-to-advance-youth-apprenticeship/
Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative — https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-ambassador-initiative
States Increasingly Look to Apprentices to Bolster Their Workforce — https://www.govtech.com/workforce/states-increasingly-look-to-apprentices-to-bolster-their-workforce.html
