Strategic Partnerships between Washingtons Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Systems

Apprenticeship is a strategic economic growth tool in Washingtons Comprehensive Plan for Workforce Development (High Skills High Wages) A win-win proposition – Workforce Development partners are realizing that Apprenticeship helps the state achieve its policy goals. Word is getting out: Apprenticeship is the Nordstroms of talent development THE STRATEGIC APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE

Partnership building, public policy efforts and funding investments have made a difference 2003 Investment of Governors WIA 10% funding Apprenticeship Utilization requirements Running Start to the Trades for secondary pre-apprenticeship Community College Growth funding APPRENTICESHIP IS A FOCUS OF PUBLIC POLICY

Strategy for partnering with Workforce partners First, find and meet the people in charge, and build a relationship. Show up, be nice, and keep showing up! Second, explain what apprenticeship is and why it is important. Especially the data supporting the outstanding workforce outcomes brought by apprenticeship Third, challenge stereotypes and dispel myths.

Myth A pprenticeship equals dead- end trades jobs. B lue Collar careers are the only apprenticeship option C omplicated and takes too much time, not worth the effort. THE ABCS OF APPRENTICESHIP Reality A pprenticeship is an amazing talent development tool B lue collar, white collar, green collar apprenticeship is a good fit for most occupations C ompetency-based education that pays, and staff that are eager to build successes. VS

How do you get workforce partners to come to the table? Focus on the results that matter to them: Putting people to work (especially certain people) Getting people into training Increasing economic vitality of industry partners Explain how the partnership can be mutually beneficial. They have people looking for work and/or skills training; you are looking for people to go to work and get trained. They are looking to boost key industry clusters

Success begets success - Workforce partners respond well to data that shows the benefits of apprenticeship Certain data has turned heads of workforce partners toward Apprenticeship in Washington State. Growth Money Comparative analysis Net benefits to the system APPRENTICESHIP In Washington State

Apprenticeship Opportunities on the Rise

Why the dramatic increase? The large public investment in infrastructure (roads, buildings, energy, etc) that have come from a few year's worth of good economic climates and the increase in commercial/industrial building efforts Coupled with the accumulative effect of many state and local the apprenticeship utilization requirements. These are laws that require 15 – 20% of total labor hours on a project to come from registered apprentices And the departure/retirements of many Baby Boom age workers in the building/construction workforce.

Apprentices make as much money as college graduates Source: US census wage data and WA State Workforce Board report Workforce Training Results 2006

Apprentices make more money than completers of other workforce training programs Source: WTECB Workforce Results 2006

Benefit Analysis of WA Workforce Programs Participant benefits are comprised of earnings (minus taxes) and employee benefits and transfers. Transfers include UI, TANF, Food Stamps, and medical benefits. For this measure all benefits are forecasts based upon individual earnings to age 65. Costs include foregone earnings, and program costs (tuition, etc.) Net Benefit = All benefits – all costs. All data from the 2006 Workforce Training Results study.

Steps you can take next week… TEGL and donuts: Go meet your local WIB director and OneStop management and staff. Be prepared to commit your time! Advisory committees, partnership boards, other committees. Knowledge is power: The more you know about them, the more you benefit from the system.

Offer to conduct Apprenticeship training for One Stop Staff and WDC/WIB participants and partners How to make quality referrals to apprenticeship They have little budget for training, and love to do partner events Create WIA Training for Apprenticeship staff Look into getting your apprenticeship programs onto the Eligible Training Provider List Expand the local and state policy discussion around the TEGL Explore ways to count apprenticeship toward local and statewide WIA Performance Measures Steps you can take next week…

Beyond Workforce Development: Building the K-12 pipeline to apprenticeship After they see the positive outcomes, many schools are eager to create connections with local apprenticeship programs, preparing students specifically for these opportunities. As they do this, they teach the skills that are elemental to the State Exam and prepare kids for specific occupations and apprenticeships. Explain the skills you need: Generally, the most important skills to apprenticeship are demonstrated competency in applying math, reasoning and work readiness. Navigation 101 – Integrate apprenticeship into career guidance in Washingtons education system, grades 6 – 12.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Website

Thank You! Elizabeth Smith Program Manager Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Office of Apprenticeship