Absence of conflict of interest.
Citation
Highlights
- The study’s objective was to examine how workforce development programs that offer pre-apprenticeship services connect individuals to construction apprenticeships.
- The study used data from a survey completed by pre-apprenticeship programs to gather information about their programs.
- The study found that workforce development programs differed in their program models, individuals served, program partnerships, and pre-apprenticeship services provided to individuals. Workforce development programs were likely to connect individuals to carpentry apprenticeships and apprenticeships were likely to be unregistered apprenticeships.
- The study was conducted when many skilled construction workers were unemployed. While many workforce development programs took part in the survey, the researchers are not sure if the sample truly reflects the programs that provide pre-apprenticeship services throughout the United States.
Intervention Examined
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Features of the Study
Pre-apprenticeship programs equip individuals with skills necessary to connect them to jobs and apprenticeships in skilled trades. The Aspen Institute’s Workforce Strategies Initiative (AspenWSI) conducted a survey of workforce development programs that provide training and pre-apprenticeship services for those entering construction jobs and apprenticeships. These workforce development programs target marginalized groups who typically face challenges breaking into the construction field. AspenWSI created the survey with input from workforce development program operators, researchers, public officials, labor union representatives, and construction industry members to gather details about their program models, participants, locations, partnerships, and types of apprenticeships offered. The survey was launched in April 2009, and AspenWSI received responses from 358 programs, with 236 meeting study criteria and completing the survey. Responses were collected from workforce development programs located in 40 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Findings
- The study found that the workforce development programs offering pre-apprenticeship services had different definitions of pre-apprenticeships and varied program models to serve individuals.
- Most pre-apprenticeship programs partnered with a construction business or contractor. Also, most construction pre-apprenticeship programs were in the Pacific region of the United States.
- Many workforce development programs offering pre-apprenticeship services primarily targeted low-income adults. However, these programs frequently also assisted subpopulations of individuals who were not the intended beneficiaries.
- The study found that 88% of pre-apprenticeship programs offered job readiness training, technical or vocational training, and occupation specific training services to individuals. Also, case management was the most frequent support service offered.
- The study found that most pre-apprenticeship programs linked participants to carpentry apprenticeships and most of these apprenticeships were likely to be non-registered.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
During the period when the survey of workforce development programs offering pre-apprenticeships was conducted, job opportunities in the construction sector were low and unemployment rates among skilled construction workers were high. Although the study encompassed a wide array of programs, the authors expressed uncertainty regarding whether the responding programs accurately represented all workforce development initiatives providing pre-apprenticeship services across the United States.