About the Literature Review

Download Literature Review

The report reviews the latest studies, reports, and documents on Registered Apprenticeship programs to help understand gaps in apprenticeship knowledge. It discusses what we know about the benefits of apprenticeship for employers, workers, and society; how the federal government has been investing in the apprenticeship system; and what we have learned from state efforts to expand apprenticeship. The report also reviews the evidence for what specific types of Registered Apprenticeship programs work and for whom. Finally, the report discusses what is known about the effectiveness of program models and strategies, and potentially promising practices. This information will inform future activities conducted under the Evaluating Registered Apprenticeship Initiatives project.

Key Takeaways

• Despite recent evidence of the positive effects of apprenticeship, many questions remain about whether benefits are consistent across industries, employers, workers, and program models. Additionally, there is little rigorous evidence regarding the impact of pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship programs, programs developed through community colleges and other intermediaries, and effective strategies to increase diversity among apprentices. DOL has funded research studies, including the ABA evaluation, that will build evidence on some of these aspects of apprenticeship, and more information will be available in the next few years as those studies release findings.

Citation

Butrica, B.A., Jones, E., Rosenberg, L., Sattar, S., Sotelo, V. (2023). Urban Institute. A Review of the Literature on Registered Apprenticeships: Evaluating Registered Apprenticeship Initiatives. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

Download Literature Review   View Study Profile

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. CEO’s research development process includes extensive technical review at the design, data collection and analysis stage, including: external contractor review and OMB review and approval of data collection methods and instruments per the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), Institutional Review Board (IRB) review to ensure studies adhere to the highest ethical standards, review by academic peers (e.g., Technical Working Groups), and inputs from relevant DOL agency and program officials and CEO technical staff. Final reports undergo an additional independent expert technical review and a review for Section 508 compliance prior to publication. The resulting reports represent findings from this independent research and do not represent DOL positions or policies.