Registered apprenticeship programs result in positive outcomes for employers and apprentices. Traditionally used as a training model in the building trades, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) aims to expand registered apprenticeship as a workforce training model, including to nontraditional industries such as health care and information technology. Although registered apprenticeship programs share key elements, they vary in terms of occupational focus, length, registration agency, and approach (time based, competency based, or hybrid).
This brief from the Urban Institute focuses on the three approaches to registered apprenticeship programs, considerations in selecting an approach, and insights from program sponsors using each approach.
As this brief describes, there are benefits and drawbacks to each approach. Considerations in selecting an approach include the apprenticeship occupation (traditional or nontraditional), the employer (type of organization, experience with registered apprenticeship), and the apprenticeship system