Young Adults in Registered Apprenticeship Fact Sheet

The factsheet explores the role of Registered Apprenticeship (RA) in supporting young adults, particularly those from low-income communities, and addresses the persistent inequities within the program. It emphasizes the importance of dismantling structural barriers and engaging young adults in the design process to ensure equitable access to RA. The resource presents key metrics on youth engagement in RA, revealing the need for greater inclusion and representation. By examining promising practices for engaging young adults in RA, the factsheet underscores the value of creating a supportive environment that fosters talent development and long-term career success. The earn-and-learn model, coupled with pre-apprenticeship, is shown to be an effective strategy for reconnecting young people to work and education.

(This resource, posted in 2022, is 3 pages long.)

The factsheet provides key findings and promising practices for engaging young adults in RA as follows:

Findings:

• Youth engagement in Registered Apprenticeship (RA) has increased, with a 113% rise in 16-24-year-old apprentices starting a program between 2010 and 2020.
• 72.42% of youth apprentices were in the construction industry.
• Despite the increase, racial and gender inequities persist within the program. Black, Asian, American Indian & Native Hawaiian, and female apprentices are underrepresented, earn lower average hourly wages, and experience occupational segregation.
• The U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database System (RAPIDS) does not differentiate between young adults engaged in education and those disconnected from work and school, making it difficult to understand the experiences of opportunity youth within the RA system.

Promising practices:

• Create a culture of belonging by incorporating the voices and feedback of young adults into program design through advisory groups, leadership opportunities, regular check-ins, and alumni engagement.
• Invest in quality mentorship opportunities, including peer mentorship and mentor training.
• Prioritize career exploration activities to support participants in connecting their apprenticeship training to different pathways.
• Build diverse networks of partners to provide wraparound services and supports that can help participants successfully complete training.
• Leverage internal and external resources to remove financial barriers to participation, including covering the cost of equipment and testing fees and providing stipends for work-based learning.

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2022
• Author(s): Bennett, V.
• Resource Availability: Publicly available
• Posted by: Justin Venneri
• Posted in: Workforce System Strategies