QCC is at the forefront of a workforce revolution by helping employers and learners embrace apprenticeships as a powerful solution to talent shortages and barriers to education. Local stakeholders gained insight into apprenticeships at a recent Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce presentation, which included a panel led by Dean of Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education Kathie Manning.
"We're faced with an increasing number of nontraditional students. The majority of them are working part-time and many are working full-time," said Manning. "Having the opportunity for an apprenticeship program where they earn and learn has allowed people to stop making the choice between getting a degree or a credential, or working to support themselves. They get to do both."
During the presentation, Dennis Collins from the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) explained how registered apprenticeships operate and how DAS supports employers through the process. He also noted that the national retention rate for apprentices staying with their employers after program completion is 90%, with some Massachusetts employers seeing even higher rates.
According to Collins, there are several key components to registered apprenticeships:
- Employer engagement by full commitment to the program
- Structured mentoring and on-the-job training (the shortest program is 2,000 hours; some are multi-year)
- Related technical/class instruction (approximately 150 hours/year)
- Progressive wage increases when milestones are met
- Apprentices receive an industry credential from the U.S. Department of Labor and Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
While some apprenticeships are employer-sponsored, many are managed by an intermediary like QCC or MassHire. Several of QCC's employer partners spoke on the panel, including representatives from UMass Memorial and Machado Consulting.
"We established an apprenticeship program with QCC because the need is tremendous," said Helder Machado, CEO of Machado Consulting. "We're looking for people who want to go right into the industry, and we can nurture them and grow them through this system."
For more information, visit QCC.edu/learn-qcc/advance-your-career/apprenticeships.