Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. Apprenticeship programs are a proven solution for employers, giving them the tools they need to recruit, train, and retain skilled workers. Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with a steady paycheck, making it an ideal solution for many Americans, including those with disabilities.
Registered Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of occupations, including traditional fields, like construction, and high-growth, and nontraditional fields, like health care and information technology.
ODEP promotes apprenticeship program models that meet employer needs by attracting candidates, including people with disabilities. ODEP works to promote people with disabilities in apprenticeship programs by influencing national and state policies and providing effective practices.
DOL and Apprenticeship
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to growing and expanding apprenticeship and has recently awarded $183 million as part of the Scaling Apprenticeship Through Sector-Based Strategies grants to expand apprenticeships and make them available to more workers and employers.
The #ApprenticeshipWorks Video Series demonstrates how apprenticeship works for job seekers and employers. These videos feature apprentices with and without disabilities and their apprenticeship sponsors participating in apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries like information technology and healthcare. Videos are available in English and Spanish with full captioning and audio introduced versions.
The Quick Guide includes ODEP developed resources employers can begin implementing today to hire, train, and retain workers with disabilities. Work-based learning models present an opportunity to attract people with disabilities. This includes apprenticeships and work-based learning initiatives available through the various investments in infrastructure and manufacturing across the country.
Apprenticeship Toolkit
- Introduction to the Apprenticeship Toolkit: Youth with Disabilities Entering the Workplace through Apprenticeship
- Module 1: Understanding Apprenticeship Basics
- Module 2: Preparing Youth and Young Adults for Apprenticeship Programs
- Module 3: Increasing the Participation of Young Adults with Disabilities in Apprenticeship Programs
- Module 4: Establishing New Apprenticeship Programs
- Module 5: What Apprenticeship Employers Need To Know About Working with Young Adults with Disabilities
- Module 6: Looking To Future Opportunities In Apprenticeship
Connecting Veterans To Apprenticeship
ODEP, with DOL VETS and the VA’s Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) developed a desk reference guide to support the transition of more veterans with disabilities into registered apprenticeships. The information contained in this guide includes a list of resources, a glossary of terms and acronyms, and an Appendix with veterans benefits.
To learn more about how the VR&E Program helps veterans with service-connected disabilities transition into civilian employment through apprenticeship, watch the Connecting Veterans to Apprenticeship Videos.
Related Resources
Youth and Future Apprentices
- Information and Benefits for Apprentices – Information for individuals interested in pursuing apprenticeships.
- Apprenticeship Finder — Find apprenticeship opportunities near you. Get started by searching by keyword and your location.
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
- Job Corps — DOL-funded free education and training program that helps eligible young people ages 16 through 24 complete their high school education, trains them for meaningful careers, and assists them with obtaining employment.
- YouthBuild — DOL-funded YouthBuild is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16-24 who have previously dropped out of high school.
Employers
- Apprenticeship.gov — A web-based no-cost tool that allows employers to promote apprenticeships in their industries, and offers career seekers a platform to search for apprenticeships by city, state, and occupation.
Educators and Service Providers
- Apprenticeship Partner Finder – DOL's Partner Finder can connect you with the right partners to help you design, develop, or enhance your apprenticeship program.
- State Apprenticeship Information — Provides information about state apprenticeship programs and contact information for state departments of labor.
- National Apprenticeship Week — Held each November, National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a nationwide celebration where employers, industry associations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, education providers and government leaders host events to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are instrumental in rebuilding our economy, building a pipeline to quality jobs, and increasing opportunities for employment for all workers, including people with disabilities.
Related Documents
- Training and Employment Notice No. 04-15 provides information and resources on promising strategies to promote opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities in registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships.
- Training and Employment Notice No. 10-09 describes an issue paper and toolkit on improving transition outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities through apprenticeship.
Papers
- Improving Transition Outcomes of Youth with Disabilities by Increasing Access to Apprenticeship Opportunities Issue Paper examines the role apprenticeship can play in increasing opportunities and improving outcomes for youth with disabilities as they move from school to the workplace.
- Apprenticeships: Modernizing a Proven Workforce Development Strategy explores the current collaborative approach to apprenticeships, involving manufacturers, workforce educators, and others.