Key Moments
MassBridge Apprenticeships Symposium May 2022
MIT OpenCourseWareKey Moments
AACC's ECCA project leveraged a $20M grant to support 20,000+ apprentices via community colleges using a virtual toolkit.
Key Insights
The ECCA project, funded by a $20 million Department of Labor grant, aimed to serve 16,000 apprentices through community colleges, exceeding its goal to over 20,000 apprentices across more than 600 occupations.
A virtual apprenticeship network (VAN) toolkit was developed by AACC, offering a comprehensive, interactive web-based resource with data, success stories, and guidance on implementing and sustaining apprenticeship programs.
Key steps for establishing an apprenticeship program include defining a clear vision, developing supportive internal systems, identifying a champion, defining and building the program model, and planning for implementation and scaling.
Data reveals that 64% of apprentices in the ECCA project were new employees, highlighting community colleges' role in expanding the workforce, while 36% were existing employees, indicating opportunities for upskilling.
Demographic data shows a significant male representation (83%) in apprenticeships, with a growing but still smaller percentage of women (13%), and a strong focus on construction and advanced manufacturing trades (62%), though other sectors like healthcare and IT are increasing.
Resources like apprenticeship.gov and the VAN toolkit are crucial for aspiring program administrators, and understanding funding opportunities, like those from the Department of Labor, is vital for program sustainability.
THE ECCA PROJECT AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR GRANT
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) spearheaded the Expanding Community Colleges Apprenticeships (ECCA) project, a significant initiative funded by a $20 million grant from the Department of Labor. Launched on March 1, 2019, and concluding on June 30, 2022, its primary objective was to facilitate apprenticeships for 16,000 individuals nationwide through community college partnerships. This ambitious project significantly surpassed its target, ultimately supporting over 20,000 apprentices across more than 600 distinct occupations by March 31, 2022, demonstrating a substantial impact on workforce development.
THE VIRTUAL APPRENTICESHIP NETWORK (VAN) TOOLKIT
A central component of the ECCA project was the development of the Virtual Apprenticeship Network (VAN) toolkit, an interactive, web-based resource accessible via the AACC homepage. This 'honeycomb' shaped tool serves as a comprehensive guide for creating, implementing, and expanding apprenticeship programs. It offers a wealth of resources, including success stories from project partners, data insights, and practical advice, covering five key areas: implementing registered apprenticeship programs, effective messaging strategies for various stakeholders, managing and sustaining programs, ECCA data, and quarterly showcases of partner projects.
CORE COMPONENTS OF ESTABLISHING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
Implementing a registered apprenticeship program involves several critical steps for community colleges. Firstly, defining a clear vision for the apprenticeship experience is essential. Secondly, developing robust internal systems that integrate apprenticeship requirements across college departments is crucial for streamlined operations. Thirdly, identifying a dedicated champion or 'cheerleader' is vital for advocacy and employer engagement. Fourthly, defining and building a flexible program model that suits the college and its employer partners is necessary.
PROGRAM SCALING AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Following the foundational steps, the focus shifts to implementing and scaling apprenticeship programs. This involves a continuous process of growth and adaptation to the institution's needs. Colleges also need to consider specific strategies for different environments, such as right-to-work states versus non-right-to-work states, and calculate the return on investment for their efforts. Navigating the complexities of registering new apprenticeship standards programs with state apprenticeship agencies or the federal Office of Apprenticeship is also a key part of this phase.
ECCA DATA: APPRENTICE DEMOGRAPHICS AND OCCUPATIONAL TRENDS
The ECCA data provides significant insights into the apprenticeship landscape. As of March 31, 2022, the project involved 106 community colleges across 31 states and territories, with 31 colleges acting as registered apprenticeship sponsors and eight participating as consortia. The data highlights that 64% of apprentices were new hires, underscoring the role of community colleges in expanding the workforce, while 36% were existing employees, pointing to upskilling opportunities. Demographically, 83% of apprentices were men and 13% were women, with a strong concentration in construction and advanced manufacturing trades (62%), although other sectors like healthcare and IT are showing notable growth.
RESOURCES AND FUTURE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Several valuable resources are available to support apprenticeship initiatives, including apprenticeship.gov and the AACC's VAN toolkit. These platforms offer quick-start guides, best practices, and examples of successful programs. The presentation also touched upon federal funding, noting recent opportunities like the ABEA fund (though now closed) and the Woman Apprenticeship funding. It emphasizes the importance of monitoring grants.gov for future funding announcements, as apprenticeship remains a key focus for government grants aimed at workforce development and training.
CHALLENGES AND CONSIDERATIONS IN APPRENTICESHIP DELIVERY
Discussions around apprenticeship delivery revealed specific challenges and nuances. The question of Pell Grant eligibility for apprenticeships is complex, often depending on whether programs are credit or non-credit based, and how they are structured with employer funding. Furthermore, the prevalence of non-credit programs is partly due to the extensive approval processes required for credit-bearing courses, making non-credit pathways more accessible for quicker implementation. The success rate of apprenticeships is high, with a reported 92% retention rate, but completion rates are still being tracked due to the long-term nature of many programs, particularly in the trades.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Tools
●Companies
●Organizations
●Concepts
●People Referenced
Key Steps for Establishing Apprenticeship Programs
Practical takeaways from this episode
Do This
Avoid This
Apprentice Demographics and Characteristics
Data extracted from this episode
| Category | Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Apprentices (as of May 2022) | 20,288 | Exceeding initial goal of 16,000 |
| Total Apprentices (as of March 31, 2022) | 19,544 | |
| New Employees Participating | 64% | Hired by employers through community colleges |
| Existing Employees (Incumbent Workers) | 36% | Suggested by employers to participate |
| Participating Community Colleges | 106 | Including consortia |
| Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors | 31 | |
| Participating States and Territories | 31 | Including Guam |
| Industry Partners | 8 | Including IBM, Lockheed Martin, ABC, MTP |
| Advisory Board Executives | 54 | |
| Hispanic Apprentices | ~18% | Demographic breakdown |
| Black or African American Apprentices | ~9% | Demographic breakdown |
| American Indian Apprentices | ~2% | Demographic breakdown |
| Asian Apprentices | ~3% | Demographic breakdown |
| Male Apprentices | 83% | Demographic breakdown |
| Female Apprentices | 13% | Demographic breakdown |
| Unknown Gender Apprentices | 4% | Demographic breakdown |
| Time-Based Apprenticeships | ~79% | Type of apprenticeship |
| Construction and Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships | ~62% | Industry sector |
| Other Occupations (Healthcare, Hospitality, IT, Transportation) | ~38% | Industry sector |
| Construction Trades (December Data) | ~78% | Historical trend |
| Other Occupations (December Data) | ~22% | Historical trend |
| Other Occupations (Current Data) | ~34% | Increasing trend |
Common Questions
The EKKA project, funded by a $20 million grant from the Department of Labor, aimed to expand apprenticeships through community colleges across the U.S., with a goal of serving 16,000 apprentices.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Executive Director of Apprenticeship at the American Association of Community Colleges.
A resource mentioned as a toolkit for high-road apprenticeships in the healthcare industry.
Organization leading the EKKA project, which aims to expand apprenticeships through community colleges.
Provided a $20 million grant for the EKKA project and is involved in discussions regarding apprenticeship funding and policies.
Community college with significant experience in apprenticeship programs, offering a toolkit for connecting apprenticeship in higher education.
One of the national industry partners involved in the EKKA project.
One of the national industry partners involved in the EKKA project.
Industry partner with national chapters involved in the EKKA project.
An industry partner, also known as MTP, involved in the EKKA project.
The speaker's former institution where they developed 11 apprenticeship occupations and utilized EKKA funds.
Federal financial aid that is currently not widely available for non-credit apprenticeship programs but is under discussion for future use.
A non-credit course often included as part of apprenticeship programs, particularly in construction management.
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