A Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a program that has been verified and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency.

Benefits for Employers

Building a RAP is a great way to ensure your company can keep up with its hiring needs. Employers with apprenticeship programs can attract more highly qualified employees by providing on-the-job training, relevant classroom instruction, and guaranteed pay. Because RAPs are certified to follow industry standards, they provide employers access to nationwide talent pools that have been trained for entry-level to management positions.  Your program can be customized to make sure workers learn the skills YOU demand. Apprentice programs have a high level of retention, too – 94% of apprentices continue with employment after successfully completing a RAP.

Key Industries

Most apprenticeship programs are in key sectors where there is a heavy demand for skilled employees. In Florida, the main industries include Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, Information Technology, Hospitality and Trade & Logistics and more

Getting Started

There is a vast array of technical expertise and guidance available to help companies that want to start registered apprenticeship programs, from both State and Federal governments. Apprenticeship representatives, workforce organizations, educators, and other specialists can help companies build an effective program. On average, it takes less than 30 days to set up a program.

Ready to get started? Contact CareerSource Pasco Hernando and we will put you on the path to success!

Setting up an apprenticeship program is a great investment. Every dollar spent on a Registered Apprentice brings an average return of $1.50! Tax credits and grants can make the return on investment even greater. In a recent study by the US Department of Commerce, companies were nearly unanimous in their support of apprenticeship – 97% of participating employers recommend Registered Apprenticeship as a training model.

Customized Training

Apprenticeship programs allow you to train your employees for the specific jobs you need. When setting up a new program, you define the skills you need to develop and the experience your apprentice needs to acquire.  Even when your company takes part in an already established program, your apprentices learn on your company’s equipment and work in your company’s unique environment.

Employee Retention

Many companies these days are having a hard time hiring and retaining staff, but an apprenticeship program can help by building employee loyalty. 94% of apprentices continue employment after successfully completing an apprenticeship program.

Lower Recruitment and Relocation Costs

Hiring new employees can be expensive. The costs of advertising, the time spent reviewing resumes and interviewing applicants, and the possible time and expense of relocating your chosen candidate all add up – especially if the new employee doesn’t perform as expected once they are hired. Hiring an apprentice means you have the opportunity to see real life job performance and work ethic before committing to full-time employment.

Safety

Properly trained workers get into fewer accidents.  Your company benefits by minimized liability costs, less downtime from injuries, and less damage to equipment.

Keep up with Industry Advancements

The combination of theoretical training alongside on-the-job training helps make sure your employees learn about the most up-to-date methods in your industry.

Diversity

Hiring an apprentice can help you insure your company meets its diversity goals.

There are many ways to get started building a Registered Apprenticeship Program. Some companies prefer designing their own program, others join existing programs.

Creating a Program

When you create your own program, you have the ability to customize all the elements of the program to suit your needs, but all Registered Apprenticeship Programs must include five key components:

1. Paid Job – Apprentices are paid employees. The employer needs to commit to a wage, and to a schedule for advancement based on either skills or hours.

2. On-the-Job Learning – Apprentices perform real, productive tasks while learning on-the-job. The training plan should detail the kinds of activities that will be performed, and skills and knowledge an apprentice will obtain.

3. Classroom Learning – Classroom education can be provided within your organization, or you can partner with a community college, vocational school or online service. Classes can be either online or face-to-face. CareerSource Pasco Hernando can help you find an educational partner.

4. Mentorship – A mentor is a skilled employee who will provide one-on-one training and assistance.

5. Credentials – All Registered Apprenticeship Programs guarantee that an apprentice will receive a portable, nationally-recognized credential upon completion of your apprenticeship program.

Looking at programs that have already been approved can give you a leg up in structuring your own program. The Federal Government maintains a list of occupations where Registered Apprenticeship Programs have already been established and approved. For each occupation details are available including a brief description, typical work activities and related educational activities. They also have sample work training plans that can be downloaded to use as a template when developing your own plan. You can search the list here.

Joining an Existing Program

When you join an existing program, the apprentice works for you, but the overall operation of the training program is managed by an intermediary organization. This allows employers to get started almost immediately.

What is an Intermediary?

An intermediary organization provides expertise in a particular industrial sector, coordinates partner responsibilities and provides program administration. Examples of intermediaries include:

• Industry Associations and Business Organizations
• Community and Technical Colleges
• Non-Profit and Community-Based Organizations
• Labor Management Partnerships
• Workforce Development Boards

CareerSource Pasco Hernando can help your company find partners and pre-existing programs to give your RAP a jump start.

With both Federal and State grants available for funding apprenticeship programs, employers have a great chance at strengthening their workforce without a big financial investment.

Federal Funding for Apprenticeship

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announces new funding opportunities annually. The federal grants webpage includes grants focussing on apprenticeship programs. The apprenticeship investments webpage is another source of information and grant listings.  

Each grant listing identifies the purpose of the funding, eligible applicants, funding amounts, and application procedures. A DOL contact person is listed in the Funding Opportunity Announcement for questions on specific opportunities.

The U.S. Department of Labor isn’t the only federal agency providing Registered Apprenticeship grants. Visit grants.gov or sam.gov to find all federally funded opportunities.

Florida State Funding for Apprenticeship

Since 2019, the State of Florida has invested around $30 million to expand registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. 

The Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant includes $9.8 million in funding to a range of recipients including several companies, school districts, colleges and skills training organizations. Information is available on the Florida Department of Education website.

The Apprenticeship State Expansion Grant is federally funded, but applied for through the state. This grant is divided into two mini grants, one that supports programs and one that supports participants. Some of the companies that have been funded include businesses offering apprenticeships in utilities training, automation and maintenance, nursery and landscaping, marine industries and others. Applications can be made through Apprentice Florida.