Apprenticeship training and college are often considered substitutes for each other, when they in fact work best as complements. This research and practice summary analyzes administrative apprenticeship data to better understand how colleges have engaged with the apprenticeship system, and the experiences of apprentices in college-sponsored apprenticeship programs.
Why This Matters
Apprenticeship is an evidence-based education and training model that prepares participants to advance in skilled career pathways. Over the last five years, apprenticeship programs have become increasingly integrated into the nation’s community college systems. Students choosing between postsecondary pathways need clarity on this evolving landscape and the college-based apprenticeship opportunities available.
Key Takeaways
College sponsorship of apprenticeship programs has grown from 339 college-sponsored apprenticeship programs in 2020 to 558 programs in 2024. These college-sponsored programs train students for a wider variety of occupations than programs not sponsored by colleges. Over two-thirds of youth registered in apprenticeship programs not sponsored by colleges were training in construction occupations. Young people in college-based apprenticeship programs were more likely to be training in other fields, such as health care and advanced manufacturing.
Starting wages in college-sponsored apprenticeship programs were lower than starting wages in non-college programs, although their completion rates were higher.
How We Did It
We identified college-sponsored apprenticeship programs in the administrative apprenticeship data, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database System, based on the apprenticeship program titles. We then analyzed outcomes of young people participating in these college-sponsored programs.