You want to build a registered apprenticeship program the right way? Then do it with partnerships in mind. It’s in any playbook you find online. In fact, if RADD Training had an official playbook (we’re working on it), it would be in ours, too.
Developing a RAP requires fulfilling several Department of Labor-specified components. Among them:
- Direct business involvement
- On-the-job training
- Related classroom instruction
- Rewards for skills gained
- National occupation credential upon completion
Odds are, no one partner can check all of the boxes on its own. However, together partners can merge their unique expertise and resources to implement a sustainable program. Therefore, partnerships mean expedited, less costly, and more successful programs.
Suddenly, the challenge of developing a RAP sounds less overwhelming, right?
Types of Partners
Choose a model for partnership and collaboration that works best for your desired RAP. Here are different types of partners you might consider as you develop your registered apprenticeship programs, according to Apprenticeship.gov:
- Educational Institutions, such as community colleges or technical schools. They can provide instructors, develop curriculum, provide facilities, and more. They also can connect students with employers.
- Intermediaries, such as industry associations or community-based organizations. They have a network that includes both job seekers and employers and often have access to or knowledge about education and funding resources. They also can promote your RAP.
- Sponsors, which include employers, educators, and intermediaries. Sponsors take responsibility for all administrative operations of RAPs.
- American Job Centers and Workforce Development Boards, both of which aim to connect job seekers with employers and oftentimes can provide funding assistance and can promote your program.
Choosing the Right Partners
Developing and implementing a registered apprenticeship program is no small task, and it pays to take the time to choose the right partners. As you explore the field, keep these considerations in mind:
- Is the partnership mutually beneficial and sustainable?
- Do the partners share your vision and commitment for the RAP’s success?
- Does the partner serve small, medium, and/or large sized businesses?
- What is the partner’s reputation?
- Where are they located?
If you operate multiple RAPs, certain partners work more effectively for different programs. For instance, you might prefer a community college classroom experience for your larger registered apprenticeship program cohort of seven or eight students, but an online provider might be more ideal for a smaller program of one or two apprentices.
Finding Partners for Your Registered Apprenticeship Program
Form partnerships through relationships you already enjoy, or explore new opportunities. Apprenticeship.gov’s Partner Finder allows you to search for partners based on industry and location.
Using keywords such as “community-based organization” or “workforce development board” or “American job centers” or “community colleges,” to name a few, in a Google search also is sure to return some promising results.
Of course, RADD Training is available to help you design and develop your customized RAP and introduce you to its network of partners as part of the process.
Partners for Funding
Funding opportunities are available for apprenticeships to help offset the costs of training or even hiring new recruits. Workforce intermediaries, such as those found in your local counties, state government, industry associations, and even educational institutions, sometimes offer access to apprenticeship-specific or training grants/credits. Ask them about the following:
- Incumbent Worker Training – covers costs of training classes up to $25,000
- On-The-Job Training Grants – covers 50 percent of a new employees’ salary for the first six months of their training
- Individual Training Funds – granted to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity (WIOA) Act eligible individuals for $8,000 worth of career training
- Apprenticeship-Specific Training Funds
- Apprenticeship Tax Credits – state-specific
It doesn’t have to cost you and your organization next year’s revenue! RADD Training has registered apprenticeship programs that cost as little as $1,000/person/year!
Impact of Effective Partnerships
The National Skills Coalition states, “Partnerships between businesses, community colleges, and other community organizations maximize the capacity of each to provide crucial services to an apprenticeship program. Industry or sector partnerships have been proven to improve employment outcomes for a broad range of training programs. Cutting-edge partnerships across the country have focused efforts around using this model to expand apprenticeship, too.”
When you have effective partnerships, you can accelerate the development of your program, increase the number of participants, and reduce costs.
Contact RADD Training at rdaurio@raddtraining.com for more information.
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