CEO Library

The report presents American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) implementation study findings. The primary data source is interviews conducted during in-person site visits to 10 AAI grantees in spring 2019 and follow-up telephone calls with grant staff in fall 2020. The report documents the design and operation of grant activities and identifies potentially promising practices, implementation challenges, and lessons for future initiatives.

The report is the first of three to present findings from the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) Evaluation implementation study. This initial report primarily uses data from an online survey completed by all grantees, which documented the planning and implementation of grant-supported programs, including characteristics of grantees and their partners, strategies to engage employers, registering apprenticeship programs, identifying and recruiting apprentices, and the major components of apprenticeship programs, including related technical instruction and on-the-job learning.

The report presents findings from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS), collected from face-to-face interviews with 2,586 crop workers interviewed between October 1, 2016, and September 30, 2018. It is organized into nine chapters, each beginning with a summary of the chapter’s key findings.

Ongoing research and evaluation that produce actionable, widely disseminated evidence are central to the continuous improvement of U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) programs. In addition, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) requires DOL to conduct periodic, independent evaluations to inform the effective operation of WIOA programs and services. To support the development of DOL’s research portfolio, this scan examines existing evidence on key topics related to WIOA programs and services.

In 2020, Chief Evaluation Office, in collaboration with VETS, commissioned an implementation evaluation of the VETS Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Apprenticeship Pilot Evaluation under the Apprenticeship Evidence-Building Portfolio of studies. Results of the study are intended to inform future efforts by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S.

In 2020, the Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) partnered with the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and funded contractor Urban Institute and its partner the Capital Research Corporation to conduct the Implementation Evaluation of the Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Grants (YARG) under the Apprenticeship Evidence-Building Portfolio of studies.

In 2020, Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) partnered with the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) and the Office of Policy Development and Research (OPDR) within the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and funded contractors Urban Institute and Mathematica to conduct the State Apprenticeship Capacity Assessment under the Apprenticeship Evidence-Building Portfolio of studies.

In 2022, the Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) partnered with the Women’s Bureau and funded contractor Urban Institute to conduct the Descriptive Study of the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Grants under the Apprenticeship Evidence-Building Portfolio of studies. The descriptive study aimed to understand how WANTO grantees provided technical assistance, supportive services, and training opportunities to help women access nontraditional jobs.

Researchers investigated how less-educated and less-experienced workers in Ohio benefit from registered apprenticeships. The researchers focused on 18-24 year old males. Regression results show that compared to individuals who have similar pre-program educational backgrounds but have little or no job training, apprentices have significantly higher earnings six years after program entry. The wage premiums for apprentices persist for at least nine years after program entry.

In 2013, the Department of Labor (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) partnered with the Employment and Training Administration’s Office of Apprenticeship (OA) and funded L&M Policy Research to publish the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) Implementation Study and Feasibility of an Impact Study. This report examines USMAP program operations and the extent to which participants perceive the provided training and assistance supporting greater career success.

The report presents the findings of the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) Implementation Study and Feasibility of an Impact Study as conducted by L&M Policy Research and the Urban Institute. In undertaking the analysis, the L&M-Urban team interviewed key staff members involved with USMAP operations. In addition, the team conducted 11 focus groups at two Navy and two Marine Corps bases with USMAP apprentices, USMAP completers, and USMAP supervisors.