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Post-Secondary Education

The Roles That Colleges and Universities Play in Apprenticeship

As a training provider, colleges and universities deliver academic instruction driven by industry standards. 

Primary responsibilities include co-creating apprenticeship curriculum alongside local businesses, granting progressive credentials based on competency testing, and facilitating access to financial aid and other support resources (e.g., academic, tutoring, counseling).

As an intermediary, colleges and universities serve as connectors to their local business community while remaining committed to providing students with quality education, experiential learning, and skills that meet employer needs. 

Primary responsibilities include recruiting, screening, and testing potential apprentices ready, to begin with, an apprenticeship sponsor. Colleges and universities work with individual employers, large and small, to design a tailored curriculum that meets individual employers' business goals.

As a sponsor, colleges and universities operate a Registered Apprenticeship Program. 

Primary responsibilities include assuming full responsibility for the administration and operation of an apprenticeship program. This includes employing apprentices.

Post-Secondary Education Success Stories

Discover how local colleges and universities are working with regional and local industry, improving transitions for K-12 students, and forging partnerships across their state to be successful in apprenticeship.

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Expand Employer Base

Learn how Harper College expanded on their apprenticeship program footprint

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Effective Partnerships

Understand how Macomb Community College developed partnerships

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Diverse Talent

Learn about outreach strategies employed at Reynolds Community College

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Expanding Community College Apprenticeships

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is partnering with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to Expand Community College Apprenticeships. To learn more about this initiative and their apprenticeship participant colleges, visit the AACC website.

In addition, as part of the ECCA initiative, AACC created a Virtual Apprenticeship Network Toolkit. While high-quality tools about Registered Apprenticeship Programs for community colleges exist, few are compiled and organized specifically for community colleges. AACC has identified, organized, and, where necessary, created or customized tools for rapid adoption by community colleges.

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Community College Educator

Registered Apprenticeship at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The Nation's 105 HBCUs are located in 20 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and serve more than 300,000 undergraduate and graduate students. These institutions continue to be important engines of economic growth and community service, and they are proven ladders of intergenerational advancement for men and women of all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds, especially African Americans. The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) calls for Federal Agencies to work in partnership with HBCU leaders, representatives, students, and alumni, to eliminate barriers HBCUs face in providing the highest-quality education to a growing number of students. Registered Apprenticeship is one of the innovative and time-tested superhighways in the education and workforce development infrastructure, particularly for communities who have been excluded from good jobs for far too long. Good jobs, like Registered Apprenticeships, help develop highly skilled workers and help career seekers launch successful, well-paying careers. Registered Apprenticeship can serve individuals historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality by allowing apprentices to earn while they learn. The HBCUs listed below have launched or joined a Registered Apprenticeship Program:

Sponsor NameOccupations
Alabama A & M UniversityLicensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
Alcorn State UniversityBusiness Management
Bishop State Community CollegeElectromechanical Technician CB, Industrial Maintenance Repairer
Coahoma Community CollegeComputer-Peripheral-Equipment-OP, Industrial Machinist System Technician, Industrial Maintenance Repairer, Welding (Existing Title: Welder, Combination)
Denmark Technical CollegeEducation and Training (Military Only, Information Technology Specialist, Office Manager/Admin Services)
Fayetteville State University Public Safety Officer, Offset Press Operator, Housekeeping
Hinds Community CollegeTruck Driver, Heavy, Diesel Mechanic, Mechatronics Technician, Production Technologist
Jarvis Christian CollegeCommunity Health Worker
Lawson State Community CollegeMachinist (Alternate Title: Precision Machinist), Welder, Combination
Shelton State Community CollegeAutomotive Technician Specialist, Child Care Development Specialist, Industrial Manufacturing Technician 
South Carolina State UniversityApplication Developer 
Stillman CollegeIT Generalist, Material Coordinator (Alt Titles: Automated Logistical /Unit Supply Specialists) 
Tennessee State UniversityCyber Security Support Technician, Teacher Aide I 
Trenholm State Community CollegeAutomotive Mechanic, Nurse, Licensed Practical and Registered Nurse
The Rural Workforce Academy, Prairie View A&M UniversityChild Care Development Specialist, Commercial Drone Pilot, Community Health Worker, Cyber Security Support Technician, Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanic & Installer, Nurse Assistant Certified (CB), Office Manager/Admin Services, Organic Vegetable Farm Manager, Phlebotomist, Plumber, Residential Wireman, Truck Driver, Heavy, Welder, Combination
Xavier UniversityBusiness Analyst, Data Scientist, IT Project Manager, Operations Management
Morehouse School of MedicineCommunity Health Worker
Prairie View A&M UniversityK-12 Teacher, Teacher Aide I
Southern UniversityK-12 Teacher