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Early College STEM School » Center for Apprenticehip & Work-Based Learning

Center for Apprenticehip & Work-Based Learning

Create an Equitable Economic Recovery With Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship can and must play an important role in addressing the economic inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as we embark on a path to recovery. In particular, apprenticeship can help break the all-too-common “first out, last in” cycle—when the people who are first to lose their jobs during a downturn end up being the last to be rehired.

The people most often caught in that cycle are frontline workers from underrepresented communities who don’t have college degrees. Apprenticeship offers those workers an equitable path to rewarding careers by enabling them to do paid work while earning the credentials and developing the skills that employers are looking for.

Check out these JFF resources to learn more about promising practices for developing diverse and equitable apprenticeship programs:

Attention, Manufacturers!

JFF can help you create a diverse and equitable apprenticeship program that meets your need for talent. Learn more about our Improving Diversity & Equity in Apprenticeships for Manufacturing project, and reach out to Senior Program Manager Emmanuel Manu to get started!

JFF Calls on Biden to Strengthen America’s Apprenticeship System

After every presidential election, the JFF policy team issues a transition memo with recommendations for the incoming administration. This year, our memo offers the Biden administration a blueprint for the foundation of an equitable recovery, and it includes the following recommendations related to apprenticeship and work-based learning:

  • Support rapid skill building and credential attainment through initiatives such as apprenticeships.

  • Reauthorize the National Apprenticeship Act to support the expansion of work-based learning in high-growth fields and occupations.

  • Expand work-based learning opportunities, including apprenticeships, to every high school and college student.

For all of JFF’s policy recommendations, read the full memo.

And be sure to join us tomorrow, Friday, November 13, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. ET, for a virtual policy discussion co-hosted with the Urban Institute and New America: “Policy Matters: Reflections on the Past and Future of Apprenticeship.”

Program Spotlight

Lockheed Martin

One of the world’s largest aerospace and defense companies, Lockheed Martin employs more than 100,000 people and is well aware of the importance of attracting, hiring, and developing a capable workforce. To ensure that its operations across the country have the talent they need, Lockheed has established an extensive apprenticeship program that offers participants opportunities to develop critical skills in disciplines ranging from aircraft maintenance and assembly to software development, cybersecurity, and engineering.

Today, Lockheed has more than 30 registered occupations and has enrolled over 750 registered apprentices who are receiving hands-on instruction, mentoring, and training. Learn more about Lockheed Martin’s successful programs in “The Power of Partnerships on Lockheed Martin’s Apprenticeship Journey.

As a U.S. Department of Labor-funded national manufacturing intermediary, JFF is proud to have supported Lockheed Martin’s efforts since 2018 by helping the organization develop a centralized, efficient process to registering occupations. Learn more about our work with Lockheed Martin.

If you’re a manufacturing company looking to start or expand an apprenticeship program, JFF can help. Reach out to Senior Program Manager Emmanuel Manu to learn more.