Apprenticeship is an effective work-based learning approach that builds worker skills and establishes pathways to higher levels of employment and wages.

Earn and Learn

Apprenticeship is an “earn and learn” model in which apprentices earn wages from the first day on the job. There are over 150,000 employers within more than 1,000 occupations, including Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Energy, Finance and Business, Healthcare, Hospitality, Information Technology, Telecommunications and Transportation.

Using apprenticeship as a workforce strategy will contribute to higher performance outcomes in employment, retention, earnings and credential attainment.

According to a report published by ODEP in 2015, “Registered Apprenticeship Programs: Improving the Pipeline for People with Disabilities,” Completion of a Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program should be considered as a possible option for promoting successful long-term employment outcomes for people with disabilities at competitive salaries and with little or no educational debt.

Vocational Rehabilitation Opens New Doors for Identifying and Adopting Apprenticeship Partnerships

VR has a dual customer: employers and consumers with disabilities. Services and supports not only lead to value and positive employment outcomes for consumers, but also meet the needs of the business customer while still fulfilling the mission and outcomes of the agency.

Find out more about the benefits to both employers and consumers by reviewing the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC) summary on Apprenticeships and Customized Training.