Closing the Skills Gap: The Transformative Role of Apprenticeships in Today’s Workforce
By Sammie Trvalik, Earth Forward Group
Published November 15, 2022. Updated November 12, 2023.
As of November 2023, the labor landscape continues to reveal a compelling yet challenging scenario. The Bureau of Labor Statistics underscores a national surplus of 10.7 million available jobs, a staggering contrast to the 6.1 million positions currently filled. This discrepancy, often attributed to the “skills gap,” amplifies the critical need for a skilled workforce aligned with evolving economic trends, particularly in fields related to climate solutions and advancing technologies.
The imbalance is starkly evident within the realms of green jobs and skilled trades, where a substantial gap persists between the escalating demand for these roles and the skilled workforce to meet it. Occupations such as wind turbine technicians, projecting a 44% growth rate, and solar photovoltaic installers at 27%, manifest this gap against the national average growth of a mere 5%.
The resolution of this predicament involves more than just upskilling. It necessitates a multifaceted approach, intertwining workforce development initiatives and the establishment of connections between adept workers and employers seeking their specialized skill sets.
Enter the registered apprenticeship. This invaluable avenue permits aspiring professionals to “earn while they learn.” Under this program, apprentices gain invaluable hands-on experience in the industry while receiving payment and, in some cases, earning university credit. Mentored by seasoned professionals, apprentices emerge from programs that usually span 1 to 4 years, equipped with industry-recognized credentials.
The Department of Labor underscores that registered apprenticeships offer a high-quality, industry-aligned career pathway, securing a symbiotic relationship where employers mold their future workforce, and individuals gain paid work experience, along with classroom instruction and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.
Reframing the narrative surrounding apprenticeships is crucial. Often misconceived as an “alternative” to higher education, apprenticeships offer a framework that closely aligns with the brain’s optimal learning process, providing close mentorship, experiential learning, and the opportunity to “test-drive” various fields. This approach stands as a promising solution, particularly in the face of rising student debt, dropout rates, and the scarcity of post-graduation employment opportunities.
“Upon graduation from college, you get a degree. Upon graduation from an apprenticeship, you have your career.”
Apprenticeship opportunities span diverse sectors, from trades to healthcare, technology, finance, and early childhood education, with around 80% concentrated in construction and manufacturing industries. The success rate is noteworthy, with 93% of registered apprentices securing employment, boasting an average annual salary of $77,000, and contributing to more than 395,000 apprentices nationwide.
Recent policy developments, like President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, further fortify funding and support for expanding apprenticeship opportunities, signaling a promising landscape for workforce development.
how can you find an apprenticeship?
Visit your local Job Center for support in locating jobs and training programs.
Explore the DOL’s apprenticeship.gov site; use their Apprenticeship Job Finder or Occupation finder for registered apprentices.
Contact the Connecticut Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship Training
Contact EFG! In part, we support students and job seekers in connecting with the appropriate industry professionals to find opportunities in their field of interest.
Programs and Organizations to watch:
Labor’s Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Grant Program