Inclusive apprenticeships offer benefits for businesses

Historically, apprentices have solely been associated with trade industries, such as plumbing, construction or electrical. Today, apprenticeships can be developed for any role. For example, culinary apprentices can work in restaurants. Businesses that need accountants, web designers, office managers and more, are developing apprenticeship opportunities to fill key roles and feed their employee pipeline.

Emily Griffith Technical College has been offering career and technical education programs since its inception 108 years ago. Last year the College issued college credit to 4,800 apprentices across the state. Today, the College is going beyond what has been known as a traditional apprenticeship and helping to spotlight new, inclusive opportunities.

What exactly is an apprentice? Apprentices are individuals who are “earning and learning” in a specific career path. Individuals earn a wage while getting hands-on experience to learn on the job during the day while expanding their knowledge in a classroom setting, often at night. This provides apprentice employees the means to develop on-the-job skills and earn college credit at the same time as they progress through their program.

Registered Apprenticeship Programs through Emily Griffith create value for employers. In an apprenticeship, the employer determines all aspects of the program. They can tailor what the apprentice will learn and specify what skills are needed to respond to industry needs. The employer identifies the educational outcomes needed to fulfill the program. Emily Griffith can collaborate with employers to determine content. At the end of the apprenticeship, the apprentice earns a certificate from Emily Griffith Technical College and a portable, nationally recognized credential from the U.S. Department of Labor, and may be eligible to earn other industry-recognized credentials.

Today, with a 3.8% unemployment rate in Colorado, many businesses can’t wait two to four years for a potential employee to learn a specific skill and to graduate. Even then, the person may not have the real-world experience that some employers seek. Apprenticeship expedites a pipeline of skilled workers; some apprenticeship programs can be completed in as short as one year.

The College is helping apprenticeship to evolve by advocating for and assisting employers and educational partners to create inclusive apprenticeship programs, promoting the participation and representation of women in trades and increased enrollment of apprentices from diverse backgrounds. For example, women are underrepresented in the trades. Only 4% of apprentices are female, yet many are interested in industries of all kinds, including the trades and other apprenticeship opportunities. Inclusive apprenticeship supports all learners, and helps employers remove barriers while diversifying their talent pool and unlocking access to state and federal recruitment tools, perfect for spreading the word about the program.

 As an advocate for inclusive apprenticeship, Emily Griffith Technical College continues to forge impactful and unique partnerships to support closing workforce gaps for underrepresented groups and develop new, inclusive apprenticeship programs while strengthening existing programs. For example, the college is partnering with the Colorado-based, minority-led organization, Fortified Academy, on a new apprenticeship program. Fortified Academy is a commercial trucking company dedicated to providing comprehensive workforce training, mentorship, and other resources within the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) career path. It serves those following a traditional work path as well as justice-impacted individuals. The company aims to empower individuals to attain personal and economic advancement for their families and the community. Fortified Academy is the only program in the state that oversees apprenticeship in commercial truck driving.

Emily Griffith is also working with The Attainment Network to remove barriers in apprenticeship by developing employer resources and recommended processes that support organizational shifts around diversity, equity and inclusion practices. The Attainment Network’s mission is to transform education-to-workforce systems, erase persistent and pervasive equity gaps, expand opportunities for all learners, and meet the economic demand for a highly skilled and educated workforce. Emily Griffith Technical College and The Attainment Network will share resources at a workshop, sponsored by the Colorado Office of the Future of Work, at the Career-Connected L/Earning conference at AIMS Community College in Greeley, Colorado in September 2024. Attendees will be able to use Emily Griffith’s new employer resources to identify areas of opportunity and develop specific action items to help employers design inclusive apprenticeships. Participants will obtain the resources needed to bring action items to life. Emily Griffith Technical College will offer another opportunity to learn about creating inclusive apprenticeships at a Colorado Department of Higher Education equity conference in October 2024.

For its continued work in the apprenticeship space, in July 2024, Emily Griffith Technical College was recognized by Apprenticeship Colorado, the state apprenticeship agency, as a Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary for expanding and enhancing Registered Apprenticeship Programs, focusing on employer and career-seeker needs. At the federal level, in 2023, the College was recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as an Apprenticeship Ambassador – a champion in promoting, expanding, and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship. Emily Griffith partners with other higher education providers including Colorado community colleges, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Colorado State University (CSU) Global to offer pathways to two- and four-year degrees.

Apprenticeships are a game-changer for employers because they boost employee retention due to their supportive nature. They cultivate a dependable talent pool and foster a culture of continuous learning, creating an employee succession plan. Plus, they create a win for current employees who have the opportunity to take on leadership roles and sharpen their skills by providing mentorship.

Are you interested in exploring an apprenticeship program for your business? Learn more by sending an email to Emily Griffith Technical College at [email protected].

Kevin Riebau is the Dean of Apprenticeship at Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver.