This Annie E. Casey Foundation resource highlights the work of the Del Norte Work-Based Learning Ecosystem, which works to trans­form edu­ca­tion to bet­ter respond to stu­dents and help schools and dis­tricts in strength­en­ing or imple­ment­ing work-based learn­ing programs. Indi­vid­u­al­ized youth intern­ships are keep­ing stu­dents at Del Norte High School in Albu­querque, New Mex­i­co, on track to achieve aca­d­e­m­ic and career goals. By intern­ing at orga­ni­za­tions that address homelessness, these stu­dents are build­ing aca­d­e­m­ic and occu­pa­tion­al skills as they con­tribute to their communities.

Apprenticeships can be a powerful model for workforce development but too often completion rates fall short. Apprenticeships for America will host a webinar on September 25, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET to explore the challenges and strategies behind improving apprenticeship completion rates.

Successful apprenticeship initiatives often begin with the development of a strong employer partnership. Intermediaries play a key role in educating the employer about the benefits of apprenticeships, assisting in the development of the apprenticeship, and providing support for the operation of the apprenticeship. Apprenticeships for America will host a webinar on October 16, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET to offer two examples of such partnerships from the manufacturing and healthcare industries. The panel will explore:

• How their partnerships developed;
• Key factors and strategies that contributed to the success of the partnerships;
• Challenges that needed to be addressed and the solutions that were developed;
• How the partnerships contribute to apprentice retention and completion; and
• Suggestions for other intermediaries and employers.

This brief examines how the Urban Institute, partnered with Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation America, supported employers in designing and launching youth apprenticeship programs by drawing on five years of experience as federally funded intermediaries. The brief outlines what works in employer outreach, program design and registration, and support for employers’ mentoring and scaling efforts.

Apprenticeship training and college are often considered substitutes for each other, when they in fact work best as complements. This WorkRise resource analyzes administrative apprenticeship data to better understand how colleges have engaged with the apprenticeship system, and the experiences of apprentices in college-sponsored apprenticeship programs.

In recognition of Youth Apprenticeship Week in 2024, Mathematica spoke with Maryland’s Director of Apprenticeship and Training and California’s deputy chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards. This recording was supported by the Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Center of Excellence and highlights in-school and out-of-school youth apprenticeship initiatives for youth ages 16–24.

Early care and education (ECE) apprenticeship programs provide structured on-the-job learning combined with job-related education or coursework and are viewed as a promising strategy to prepare people for careers in ECE or provide career pathways for the people currently working in ECE. This Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation learning agenda offers a strategic approach to develop a portfolio of evidence and learning about the implementation and outcomes of ECE apprenticeship programs. It presents findings from a scan of existing materials and resources on ECE apprenticeships, expert interviews, and discussions at a virtual convening. This resource summarizes what is known about ECE apprenticeships, gaps in the knowledge base, and priorities for future research.

The merits of job training and apprenticeship programs are well known, but certain populations could stand to benefit more from these valuable tools if apprenticeship programs were expanded. Affordable child care and pre-apprenticeship trainings can help more women, low-wage workers, and parents develop the stability and skills needed to succeed in work-based learning programs. The National Skills Coalition lists components of successful pre-employment programs, including case management, coverage of associated costs like transportation, job search and financial assistance, and connections to industry partners and child care centers. They also recommend ways to align TANF, SNAP, and workforce system funds to support pre-employment and child care initiatives.