Over the last ten years, the Department of Labor recorded a 70% increase in the number of Apprenticeships in the United States. Employers realize that legacy recruiting channels no longer produce the quantity or quality of candidates they need.
This has led to an explosion in interest in Registered Apprenticeships, as they allow employers to create reliable and cost-effective talent pipelines for their in-demand positions. Whether you have an already-established Apprenticeship or need to start one, having the framework in place for compliance and record-keeping as you scale is fundamental to your success.
Scaling and operating a Registered Apprenticeship Program without the necessary tools is like running a business without payroll software or hiring new talent without an HR department. The right software and know-how for properly scaling your program will ensure a seamless transition.
Is it Time to Grow Your Registered Apprenticeship Program?
Several common scenarios require Apprenticeship Programs to grow quickly and efficiently.
The first scenario pertains to companies that don’t have an established Apprenticeship Program but realize they need one. Apprenticeship Programs in certain industries could be required for your company to participate in certain jobs. For instance, the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act established that Registered Apprentices must complete 10% of labor hours in supported construction projects. This has left energy companies scrambling to quickly set up and grow Apprenticeship programs to continue working on these projects.
Another common scenario is when organizations that already have Registered Apprenticeships decide to make them a more central component of their talent strategies rather than a supplement. Your organization might want to expand your Apprenticeship offerings not only in size but also in scope to support talent development more broadly.
The last common scenario is when an organization receives a federal workforce grant (i.e. WIOA), which often outlines participant enrollment goals in line with the funding thresholds.
Regardless of why your organization is looking to scale your Registered Apprenticeships, though, it’s vital to have the proper systems in place in case any of these scenarios occur, and you need to take your Registered Apprenticeships Program from 0 to 60 in a short period. The downstream benefits include access to federal grants and funding, staffing your company with talented employees, and compliance with USDOL regulations.
Common Challenges to Scaling an Apprenticeship Program
Once you’ve decided to scale your Registered Apprenticeship program, it’s crucial to avoid typical roadblocks and pitfalls. The most common error is failing to have an organized system for recruiting new talent and managing record-keeping and compliance. Like any complex program, Apprenticeships require careful tracking and record-keeping, so it’s imperative to ensure you’re keeping everything accurate and up-to-date.
It’s challenging to remain compliant with federal and state regulations, especially if you don’t have a dedicated team for your Registered Apprenticeship. For example, Pennsylvania requires four mentors for every apprentice—a rule that can be a significant challenge for employers.
Even with the best of intentions, it’s not always easy to find the information you’re looking for or even know what information you need. Apprentice management software helps you stay informed with current guidelines and sets you up for compliance and organizational success.
3 Ways to Make Scaling Your Registered Apprenticeship Program Successful
Reduce stress and boost training outcomes by putting the necessary systems in place before you need to scale your Registered Apprenticeship program. For instance, the Builders Association of North Central Florida’s Apprenticeship Program (BANCF) ran into challenges during the pandemic when local governments needed construction to continue, even with COVID regulations in place.
BANCF already had a Registered Apprenticeship program in place, but they struggled to scale it because they didn’t have a robust system for managing data and compliance records. When we spoke with BANCF earlier this year, they emphasized how important it is for new programs to invest in a solution like ApprentiScope.
“I think one of the biggest challenges for me when I first started was not having a database or software like ApprentiScope. I needed a comprehensive database that could track the progress of the apprentices throughout the program but also be accessible to employers and other staff members. This is a common need among programs like these, so I was extremely excited to find ApprentiScope.”
Since implementing our Apprenticeship Management System, they’ve reduced administrative overhead by over 50%, giving them a significant amount of time back to focus on growing and improving their program. The following takeaways can apply to any organization looking to scale an Apprenticeship:
- Develop management processes & systems before you scale. To ensure your programs are set up for success as you scale, you’ll want to ensure you have processes in place for key components of your program's lifecycle. These components include recruitment, managing stakeholders, managing programs, and automating compliance to ensure you’re on the right track.
- Build a team to manage your program. Depending on the size of your program, you’ll want to have a dedicated person or team to manage your program actively. Convene management and make sure everyone is fully invested in the success of your Registered Apprenticeship program.
- Focus on the long-term. Apprenticeships are great long-term investments but don’t expect instant gratification. You will thank yourself in the future for making investments in a skilled workforce. Think of Apprenticeships as a long-term talent pipeline that will keep you fully staffed, operational, and ready to grow for years to come.
Grow Your Workforce with a Registered Apprenticeship Program
The benefits of Registered Apprenticeship Programs are hard to deny: a pool of well-trained and dedicated individuals excited to fill your organization’s needs and a debt-free path to a long-term career for apprentices. Scaling an Apprenticeship can seem daunting, and embarking on the challenge alone and without the proper tools can be. Take the extra step of setting up necessary systems before growing your program, and enjoy the rewards.
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