Expanding Apprenticeship to New Sectors and Populations: The Experiences and Outcomes of Apprentices in the American Apprenticeship Initiative Final Report

< Back to Search Results
Release Date: October 01, 2022

Expanding Apprenticeship to New Sectors and Populations: The Experiences and Outcomes of Apprentices in the American Apprenticeship Initiative Final Report

deliverable icon

Related Tags

Topic

Apprenticeships ,  Employment and Training

Research Methods

Study Population

DOL Partner Agency

U.S. Regions

U.S. States

Country

About the Report

Download Report

The report presents findings from the outcomes study of the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) evaluation. It examines the characteristics, reasons for enrollment, program experiences, and postprogram outcomes of AAI apprentices and pre-apprentices. The data sources include an AAI Apprentice Survey administered to a sample of approximately 2,600 registered apprentices, program records from grantees, and administrative earnings data from the National Directory of New Hires.

Research Questions

  • What are the characteristics of AAI apprentices and why did they enroll in an apprenticeship program?
  • What were the experiences of AAI apprentices during the apprenticeship program?
  • What were the completion rates and post-program labor market outcomes of AAI apprentices?
  • How did the experiences and outcomes of AAI apprentices differ between subgroups? Underrepresented versus historically represented populations? Nontraditional versus traditional occupations? New workers versus incumbent workers?
  • What were the characteristics, program experiences, and post-program outcomes of AAI pre-apprentices?

Key Takeaways

  • Most AAI apprentices and pre-apprentices were from an underrepresented population.
  • Most AAI apprentices were attached to the labor market prior to enrolling.
  • As reported on the AAI Apprenticeship Survey, AAI apprentices most often enrolled in a program to train for a career to gain skills and credentials valued by employers.
  • Most AAI apprentices reported that their program “prepared them well” for aspects of their occupation.
  • Most AAI apprentices (86 percent) would recommend their programs to a family member or friend.
  • Most AAI apprentices had completed their programs or were still enrolled at the time of the AAI Apprentice Survey.
  • About two-thirds of AAI apprentices who completed their apprenticeship continued to work at the same employer who had sponsored their apprenticeship program.
  • AAI apprentice earnings grew by 49 percent on average between the year before starting the apprenticeship and the year after expected completion.
  • Most AAI pre-apprentices completed their programs and experienced substantial earnings growth.

Citation

Walton, D., Gardiner, K.N., Barnow, B. (2022). Abt Associates. Expanding Apprenticeship to New Sectors and Populations: The Experiences and Outcomes of Apprentices in the American Apprenticeship Initiative. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

Download Report   View Study Profile

This study was sponsored by the Employment and Training Administration, Office of Policy Development and Research, Division of Research and Evaluation, and was produced outside of CEO’s standard research development process.