Apprenticeship: Earn-and-learn Opportunities Can Benefit Workers and Employers: A report from the Government Accountability Office examines current federal support for earn-and-learn opportunities, such as apprenticeships, and the benefits and challenges associated with these opportunities.
The researchers found that participants in Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are largely concentrated in high-wage, high-demand fields. Of the 10 most common RAP occupations, six are projected to grow faster than the average occupation by 2033 and nine pay above the median wage. The top three occupations for RAP participants in 2024 were electricians, plumbers/steamfitters and computer-related occupations. RAP participants also earned higher wages and completed their programs at a higher rate compared to two-year certificate or associate degree students.
Despite strong federal support for apprenticeships, stakeholders identified barriers that hinder their growth, including awareness gaps, administrative burden and pressure to pursue a full-time college education.
Policy Blueprint to Modernize and Expand Apprenticeship Nationwide: A brief from Jobs for the Future describes the current landscape of apprenticeships, arguing that the nation should expand these opportunities to meet the evolving needs of the workforce. Accordingly, the authors pitch several policy recommendations for policymakers to consider, including:
- Reimagining how apprenticeships are funded by not only increasing funding but also utilizing funding streams such as WIOA and Perkins, establishing tax credits and adopting a formula-based funding model.
- Streamlining the process for apprenticeship registration, supporting apprenticeships that are competency based in addition to time-based programs and establishing clear timelines for registration.
- Strengthening pathways into apprenticeships beyond youth apprenticeships by expanding work-based learning opportunities and aligning service programs, like AmeriCorps, with apprenticeship pathways.
- Reforming data collection and quality standards by creating a centralized apprenticeship database instead of relying on fragmented state data, which is often riddled with errors and duplicate information.
Evaluating the Effects of Virginia’s Workforce-targeted Free College Program: A report from the Annenberg Institute evaluates the outcomes of Virginia’s Get a Skill, Get a Job, Get Ahead (G3). The initiative, which was enacted in 2021, provides tuition assistance for students enrolled in community college programs that lead to high-demand careers, such as education or skilled trades.
The researchers analyzed data from the Virginia Community College System and found that the initiative increased student grant and financial aid use while also reducing borrowing. These effects were concentrated on middle-income students, a population that may not receive full Pell Grants or other forms of financial assistance. The initiative also increased FAFSA completion, enrollment in eligible G3 programs and certificate attainment. Middle-income students in G3 programs were found to be more likely to earn a certificate than students in non-G3 programs.
The Emerging Micro-credential Movement in K-12 Education: A report from FutureEd analyzes the evolution of micro-credentials in K-12 education, outlining challenges in this shifting landscape:
- There is little trust in the value of micro-credentials among employers and colleges. The current micro-credential landscape is massive, and stakeholders lack the tools to assess their value. There is also a mismatch between the skills micro-credentials offer and the skills employers want to see.
- It is difficult to adapt existing infrastructure to implement micro-credentials. To encourage micro-credential attainment in a K-12 setting, schools need to invest in professional development. Micro-credentials must also be rigorous, portable and aligned to academic standards.
- Many educators worry that micro-credentials would become a form of tracking for students who struggle in a traditional education setting.