Offering a Registered Apprenticeship at a Community College Dr. Rebecca Lake, Dean NCWE Conference Melissa MacGregor, Grant Manager Atlanta, Georgia Harper College Palatine, Illinois October 12-13, 2016

Harper College Background Info: Founded 1965; 200 acres; 24 buildings on site; 2 satellites Operating Expenses: over $110,000 Million Programs offered: 7 associate degrees, 100+ transfer partnerships, 40+ career programs, 100+ certificate programs, Registered Apprenticeship Program Sponsor (4 RA programs) Enrollment: 25,500 credit students; 12,000 CE students, 30% graduating rate Achieving the Dream College Awarded 2 TAACCCT grants; 1 AAI grant

Topics Covered in Presentation: 1) What is an apprentice and a Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Program ? 2) Decision Process Regarding Offering RA Program 3) Involving Companies and Potential Apprentices 4) Harper 4 current RA programs 5) Extra Components of the RA programs

How many know about Apprenticeships...

What is an Apprenticeship Program? A proven program that ensures a quality education by combining on-the-job training provided by a company plus related classroom instruction to prepare the student-apprentice for a high-demand career. Apprentices Earn a salary from their job while attending Harper College to Learn a specific career.

Are Apprenticeship Programs All Alike? No, these programs are NOT all alike. Three common types of apprenticeship programs

3 Types of Apprenticeship Programs 1. Generic apprenticeship – Company hires a person, pays for classes at any training facility plus provides OJT 2. Company sponsors Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program – registers their program, registers apprentices, designs the curriculum (RTI) and the OJT 3. College sponsors Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program – registers the programs, registers apprentices, designs curriculum (RTI) and works with companies to design OJT complementary learning activities

Five Core Components for Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Programs 1. Employer assistance with designing curriculum 2. On-the-Job Training with an employer mentor 3. Related Technical Instruction 4. Reward for skills and knowledge gains (some amount of reciprocal wage increase) 5. National RA credential awarded by Office of Apprenticeships

Over Last 60 Years, Apprentices are Most Likely Found in Building Trades

Questions to Answer Before Becoming a RA Program Sponsor: 1) Should the College invest time, effort, funds, internal and external political capital, and internal resources? 2) Can the college develop, implement , plus eventually grow and sustain apprenticeship programs? 3) Is there a leader invested or willing to become invested in this project, long term? 4) Are faculty and companies onboard?

Deciding to Offer RA Programs To assist you to focus decision-making efforts: Why do this? Who has signed on and agrees with concept? What might be design of a RA program? When and where (program of study) to begin a RA program?

Initial Decision Step: Why start apprenticeship programs at your college? 1) Fulfill mission of college 2) Meet needs of employers and job seekers 3) Improve college statistics and fiscal strength: a) Increase enrollments b) Retention rates c) Completion rates 4) Build crucial relationships with employers

Initial Decision Step: Who endorses this Project at your college? 1) College President and VPs must support this project 2) Need an appointed Champion, the “working” leader 3) Need to make sure faculty want to do this 4) Need to confirm area employers will participate 5) Identify College apprenticeship team to coordinate work 6) Contact State Office of Apprenticeships

Initial Decision Step: What should a program look like at your college? 1) All decisions must include employer and faculty input 2) Do accurate assessment of College capabilities 3) Select first apprenticeship program 4) Review List of Available Occupations for RA programs 5) Obtain Federal Standards; national credential content 6) Decide on program length and format

Initial Decision Step: Where and When to start the program at your college? 1) Do the fiscal “number crunching” to see if viable 2) Decide semester to start program 3) Streamline steps for admissions, registration, billing 4) Develop and implement effective outreach activities 5) Identify employers willing to hire an apprentice

How to Start the RA Program 1) Internal marketing: Explain RA program 2) External Outreach to companies and job seekers 3) Provide list of employers wanting to hire apprentices 4) Require potential apprentices pass placement tests 5) Develop talent pipeline with area entities (High Schools, local WIOAs, etc.)

Educate Companies about RA Programs Advantages to enrolling personnel in RA programs 1. Tailored training program 2. Apprentices increase knowledge 2 ways, a) OJT with company mentors and b) college credit 3. Stable and reliable pipeline 4. Cost savings (lower turnover rate, increase productivity, lower recruitment costs) 5. Grow your own personnel & pass on vital knowledge before skilled workers retire 6. Greater loyalty from employees

Steps for Companies Hiring an Apprentice 1. Interview and hire an apprentice a) Company negotiates salary & benefits with apprentice b) Provide annual wage boost commensurate with increase in knowledge and skills (requirement of a RA program) 2. Provide an experienced mentor(s) to guide OJT 3. Let the apprentice off work to attend class 4. Meet with Harper coaches 1-3 times each semester 5. Document apprentice progress 6. SAMPLE documents on Harperapprenticeships.org website

Benefits of Apprentice Graduates 1. Employment – Hired by company with a living wage plus benefits including vacation & sick days 2. Zero Debt at Graduation – Employer pays for college as long as apprentice passes courses and works well at the company 3. College course schedule coordinated with work schedule

For Those Wanting to Become an Apprentice 1. Apply to Harper and Pass Harper’s Placement Test (read, write & do math at college level = “College Ready”) 3. Work hard at company with designated mentor(s) 4. Maintain cumulative GPA of 2.0 5. Work with Harper apprentice coaches 6. Optional: If decides to leave company, fails a course, etc., company may require funds paid for RA program be reimbursed (company decision) 7. SAMPLE document on Harperapprenticeships.org website

Initial Steps Apprenticeships How to start the program at your college? 1) Meet with those interested students (parents/guardians) 2) Explain OJT and RTI components of program 3) Require potential apprentices pass placement tests 4) Provide list of employers wanting to hire apprentices 5) Develop streamlined orientation processes

4 Apprenticeship Programs at Harper 1. Industrial Maintenance Mechanic 2. CNC Precision Machining 3. Logistics/Supply Chain Management 4. General Insurance

Industrial Maintenance Mechanic 3-year program design College courses 16 weeks per year (8wks fall / 8wks spring) Students can take test to earn NIMS I (1-3) and German DIHK credential AAS Degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technology This AAS Degree is transferrable towards online BA degree at 4 Illinois Universities when student is ready

Logistics / Supply Chain Management 2 1/2 year program design Apprentices attend 12 week courses for 3 semesters each year plus 1 semester Weekly schedule: Work Monday - Wednesday - Friday Harper College classes Tuesday & Thursday AAS Degree in Manufacturing Technology with concentration in Supply Chain Management Students can take test to earn 5 National Supply Chain credentials through Council of Supply Chain Management Professional

General Insurance 2-year program design Apprentices attend 12 week courses for 3 semesters each year Weekly schedule: a) Work Monday – Wednesday - Friday Harper College classes Tuesday & Thursday b) condensed evening courses (FastTrack) AAS Degree in Business with concentration in Insurance Students can take test to earn 3 National Insurance credentials

CNC Precision Machining 3-year program design College courses 16 weeks per year (8wks fall / 8wks spring) Students can take test to earn NIMS I (1-3) and German DIHK credential AAS Degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technology This AAS Degree is transferrable towards online BA degree at 4 Illinois Universities when student is ready

What is Harper’s Obligation? 1. Provide experienced qualified faculty 2. Provide new equipment for apprentice to use 3. Current curriculum vetted by companies 4. Embedded in curriculum are national credentials 5. Provide tutors, if needed, to help apprentices succeed 6. Coaches to work with apprentice and employers 7. Coaches keep employers informed as to academic progress of their apprentice

Train-the-Trainer Program for Mentors Harper provides 4 small classes for mentors 1. Starts during the apprentice first semester 2. Company can send any number of mentors 3. Learn how to: a) evaluate apprentice/student b) motivate apprentice/student c) use variety of teaching techniques for apprentices d) set and assess learning goals

Suggestion to Help Find Apprentices Work with your area High School regarding internships: Offer an internship to high school students can be a natural pipeline to finding and selecting your apprentices High school internship offers students some exposure to the industry and your company to see if they fit and like both Gives companies an “extended interview window” to work with a range of students and possibly hire one as an apprentice High school internship opportunities can be paid or unpaid and for any short specified length of time

Cost of Harper’s RA Programs Cost: $15,000 for entire RA program as long as apprentice remains enrolled & in good standing a) Includes tuition, books, and fees b) Cost divided by each semester of RA program c) If student flunks course or violates Harper rules & regulations such as Student Code of Conduct, they are out of the program d) Graduation is based on cumulative GPA 2.0

Additional RA Programs at Harper Apprenticeships can be developed in any field – Cyber Security, Surgery Technician, Early Childhood Education, Banking and Finance, Sales and Merchandizing, Management, etc. New RA programs must be driven by company’s needs – must have enough industry support to drive development of a new apprenticeship program. More about this option can be discussed in private meetings, call us and we’ll come to your office.

More information & Thank You 1. Visit the Harper apprenticeship Website www.harperapprenticships.org 2. Call 847-925-6630 to schedule an appointment regarding apprenticeships