About the Brief

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This brief, produced under the Apprenticeship Evidence-Building and Administrative Data Research and Analysis portfolios of studies, examines the participation of women and people of color (i.e., people who are not white) in construction apprenticeships to understand whether the underrepresentation of these groups in construction is reproduced in the apprenticeship system. If underrepresentation is not reproduced in the apprenticeship system, or even if underrepresentation is less severe in apprenticeship programs than it is in construction nationally, apprenticeship training may be a viable strategy for improving diversity and equity in construction. The report begins by providing background on apprenticeship. It then compares the utilization of underrepresented groups in construction apprenticeships with their utilization in the construction industry. Next it describes strategies for improving their representation through recruitment and retention and emerging opportunities for doing this through federal, state, local, and private sector partners. Finally, the report discusses the gaps in data on construction apprenticeship.

Research Questions

• What does current research find on the impact of pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships on short- or long-term employment outcomes in general, for workers in traditionally underrepresented groups, and for the construction industry?
• What are the strategies used for recruiting populations for inclusion in apprenticeships in construction or related industries traditionally less accessible to women and marginalized racial and ethnic groups? In which cases have these strategies been most successful?
• How do characteristics of apprentices correlate with various program outcomes including wages and completion?
• What are some program characteristics that have led to greater retention and successful completion of apprenticeships for women and people of color in construction?
• What available data may be useful in assessing the impact of apprenticeships for bolstering employment outcomes among underrepresented groups in construction and related industries?

Key Takeaways

• Women, Black workers, Indigenous workers, and workers with disabilities are underrepresented in the construction industry. Because apprenticeship is a traditional pathway into these jobs and careers, examining its potential for increasing diversity — through more inclusive program designs, support services, and workplace interventions that have shown promise — may point to effective strategies for increasing diversity and representation in the construction trades.
• Existing research finds evidence of the positive effects of apprenticeship on apprentices’ earnings and employment, but currently this research is only suggestive of effective strategies for increasing the diversity of apprentices.

Citation

Kuehn, D., Butrica, B.A., Payne, J., Wolff, K. (2024). Urban Institute. Apprenticeship as a Tool to Improve Diversity in Construction: What Do the Literature, Current Strategies, and Recent Data Tell Us? Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

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The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.