Apprenticeships

What is Apprenticeship and How Does it Work?

Apprenticeship is a proven approach for preparing workers for jobs while meeting the needs of business to obtain a highly skilled workforce. It is an employer-driven, “learn-while-you-earn” model that provides an apprentice with on-the-job training provided by an employer, coupled with an educational program component. This “learn-while-you-earn” model also includes progressive increases in an apprentice’s skills and wages. Apprenticeship is a flexible training strategy that can be customized to meet the needs of any business. Apprentices can be new hires, or businesses can select current employees who need upskilling to join the apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeship programs:

• help businesses develop highly skilled employee.
• reduce turnover rates, increase productivity, and lower the cost of recruitment.
• offer customized training that meets industry standards, tailored to the specific needs of businesses, resulting in highly skilled employees.
• increase knowledge transfer through on-the-job learning from an experienced mentor, combined with education courses to support work-based learning.
• increase employee retention (91% of apprentices who complete an apprenticeship are still employed nine months later).
• offer a safer workplace that may reduce worker compensation costs, due to the program’s emphasis on safety training.
• offer a stable and reliable pipeline of qualified workers.
• deliver a systematic approach to training that ensures employees are trained and certified to produce at the highest skill levels required for the occupation.
• ensure that every graduate of an Apprenticeship program receives a nationally recognized credential. This is a portable credential, which signifies to employers that apprentices are fully qualified for the job.

Quinsigamond Community College offers educational training in key Apprenticeship areas that include:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Early Childhood Education
• Financial Services
• Healthcare
• Information Technology
• Biotechnology / Life Sciences
• Automotive Technology
• Hospitality / Culinary

Learn more about Apprenticeship Programs and how Quinsigamond Community College can help your business flourish, please reach out to Director of Apprentice Expansion Mari Cooney at mcooney [at] qcc.mass.edu.