The Council of State Governments’ Post

Are you exploring public sector #apprenticeship programs? Check out this fantastic resource from Mary Wurtz and The Council of State Governments; it's full of helpful information and concrete examples to help you get started!

Exciting news! Check out this #toolkit if you're exploring establishing a #RegisteredApprenticeship in your state for #educators! The Pathways Alliance is working on recommendations & best practices for establish your data systems and infrastructure to support #RAPs that will build off of this work. We've already interviewed a number of great folks working on #apprenticeships in #education and we're looking forward to sharing initial findings this Fall!

📢 Changes to Level 7 Apprenticeships As a current Level 7 Senior Leadership apprentice in an SME, I know firsthand how valuable this opportunity is. It’s a unique chance to gain high-level skills without the financial burden of traditional education routes. I’m disappointed to hear that Level 7 apprenticeships may be phased out, limiting this pathway for others. If we’re serious about building a highly skilled workforce and supporting lifelong learning, we need options for development at all levels. Apprenticeships should be for everyone, at every stage. Elev8 Training Ltd University of Exeter AELP University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) #Apprenticeships #LifelongLearning #Skills

ILG is thrilled to announce the launch of our Bridge Public Sector Apprenticeships Initiative! Bridge is designed to support California’s local governments in building their workforce pipeline through Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in “non-traditional” fields. This will help local governments hire for positions that are in high demand and notoriously difficult to fill, while also expanding economic opportunity and career mobility for underserved and underrepresented populations. #NAW2024 #DecadeOfNAW #ApprenticeshipUSA #ILG

To close out #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, we are highlighting the Institute for Local Government (ILG) as they launch Bridge, a pioneering pathway into public sector apprenticeships.   ILG is committed to helping local agencies find solutions to address growing public sector workforce needs and help Californians from underrepresented groups gain new job skills and climb the ladder in the public sector.    Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) have been a staple in the public sector for decades, yet local government vacancy rates hover near 15%, impacting their ability to deliver vital services. A recent study from ILG found that nearly 70% of the state’s cities, counties and special districts experience challenges with recruitment and retention.    ILG’s Bridge initiative was developed in partnership with California Community Colleges to address these needs and help local governments build their workforce pipeline through RAPs in non-traditional fields like human resources, accounting, IT, health and human services – while also expanding economic opportunity and career mobility for underserved and underrepresented populations.   Research shows that RAPs offer higher retention rates than non-apprenticed career pathways and that apprentices advance faster than traditional hires, making it a win-win for employers and employees.   Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gQhx9GgR

I am happy to see my good friend Hermann Nehls still engaging with the Wisconsin Apprenticeship System. Our trip to Germany with Hermann in 2020 was so eye opening as a brand new State Director at the time and I see that those things we learned while there are continuing to be massaged out and implemented in Wisconsin in this write-up. With German Apprenticeship being a gold standard in the world, it was interesting to learn during that trip how Wisconsin Apprenticeship did things different than Germany and many of those things were what raised the bar for apprenticeship in the states. When I returned from the trip in 2020, I was energized knowing I was leading one of the premier apprenticeship systems (youth apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship) in the country but realizing that there was opportunity to be even better with very small tweaks; an apprenticeship system grounded by the illustrious Karen Morgan who operated as the Director for nearly 30 years. The German model is solid and strong, with true engagement in the system by all as a way to make their community better and that is something we still haven’t been able to achieve here in the American Apprenticeship system. It is one of the biggest things the system should focus on because it has the ability to change lives and drive growth in the American workforce. Imagine how powerful a national system would be when people aren’t afraid of engaging because they would be looked at as “less than” since they didn’t go to college? Hats off and wishing nothing but success to Wisconsin Apprenticeship as they continue to build on that strong foundation we’ve created. #apprenticeshipworks #apprenticeshipisforeveryone

Despite significant investments in the earn-and-learn model through federal agencies and key legislation, Multiverse—a leading UK #apprenticeship provider—paused its U.S. registered apprenticeship programs. This raises the question: Is our apprenticeship system too rigid and costly? Check out the latest @Work Shift op-ed, JFF’s Vanessa Bennett highlights the need for increasing public funding, refining success metrics, and streamlining administrative requirements to help ensure that the promise of apprenticeships is fully realized by all employers and workers Read more insights here: https://lnkd.in/eTbZnADW

Great article! Love this point: “Funding tends to favor high outcome numbers which can limit access for small and micro employers who may only be able to train a couple apprentices at a time.” For where we are in our efforts to scale apprenticeships, it’s important that we continue to think with constructive criticism and really look at what the data is telling us about our efforts. The number of apprenticeships should not be our only bar.

CHANGES ON THE HORIZON TO THE UK APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM ... ➡ NEW GROWTH AND SKILLS LEVY (TO REPLACE EXISTING APPRENTICESHIP LEVY): The changes to the levy will allow funding for shorter apprenticeships and further 'foundation' level apprenticeships. ➡ LEVEL 7 APPRENTICESHIPS (MASTER'S DEGREE EQUIVALENT) TO REQUIRE FUNDING OUTSIDE THE LEVY: With the focus on boosting the opportunities for young people to enter the professional world, 'level 7 apprenticeships' are likely to need funding outside of the apprenticeship levy. 🎙 The first report by Skills England (the Government's new body for the skills system) was also launched yesterday, showing that training expenditure is at its lowest level since records begin in 2011 - highlighting the need for the changes to the system. Ultimately, as ambassadors of our young professionals, we see this as a positive step forward to encourage employers to support and recruit the next generation. Let's hope the 'detail' is soon to follow!! FYI: for any business owner who hasn't come across the terminology 'apprenticeship levy' before (it was all new to me, a few months ago, too!) - the 'levy' is only applicable to businesses who have an annual wage bill of £3 million +. EMA Training Ltd | Tracey Mosley, MAAT | Laura Barber | Matt Edwards | Shane Mosley | Julian Smith | Adam Barnes #apprenticeships #apprenticeshiplevy #levy #growthandskills #growth #skills #apprentice #skillsgap #chooseanapprentice

Despite significant investments in the earn-and-learn model through federal agencies and key legislation, Multiverse—a leading UK #apprenticeship provider—paused its U.S. registered apprenticeship programs. This raises the question: Is our apprenticeship system too rigid and costly? In the latest Work Shift op-ed, JFF’s Vanessa Bennett highlights the need for increasing public funding, refining success metrics, and streamlining administrative requirements to help ensure that the promise of apprenticeships is fully realized by all employers and workers. Read more insights here: https://hubs.la/Q02JJWVs0