Apprenticeship is a longstanding, proven workforce solution that marries strong skills development through on-the-job training and classroom or theoretical instruction to help fuel industries with the skilled talent needed for sustainability and growth. Community colleges are uniquely positioned to lead customization and delivery of this solution to help meet local and regional employers’ needs.
To that end, the U.S. Department of Labor has made ongoing investments in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship, including the $184 million grant program Scaling Apprenticeship through Sector-Based Strategies in 2019. Through this initiative, the Illinois Community College Board developed a project called Customized Apprenticeship Programming Information Technology to expand existing industry-led customized apprenticeships through IT sector partnerships, innovate new apprenticeship models for pilot and expansion, and scale and grow the apprenticeship model nationally through partnership with Jobs for the Future and Harper College.
This brief shares replicable examples, lessons learned, and best practices from JFF’s work with ICCB and the 10 CAP-IT program colleges. It also includes case studies of two colleges and highlights effective strategies to use to expand apprenticeships across multiple industries, including high-demand IT professions.