Apprenticeship Advantage Program

Project Description

Apprenticeship Advantage promotes the apprenticeship model of workforce development, which includes on- the-job training and early job placement in partnership with employers. Program goals include creating and expanding opportunities for U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in traditional and high-growth emerging industries within Harris County. Apprenticeship Advantage develops the Harris County workforce while fostering access to apprenticeship opportunities for underemployed and unemployed residents, dislocated workers, opportunity youth, people of color, women, and those without college degrees. This program responds to the COVID-19 public health emergency’s economic impact on Harris County workers, including disproportionate challenges for those without living wage jobs.

Complementing training opportunities, wraparound support services included in the program increase apprenticeship retention, completion, and job placement rates. The program includes apprenticeships for in- demand technical skills, supports the energy transition with green jobs such as low-emission vehicle repair, and features the first-ever International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) apprenticeship for sports and entertainment sector employees.

Apprenticeship Advantage is administered by two subrecipients, the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation and NPower. The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation will provide pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training across 10 union trades, and NPower will provide apprenticeship training and job placement in digital skills careers, including cybersecurity.

PRIMARY PARTNERSHIPS

SECONDARY PARTNERS

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

NPower and Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation outreach strategies are aimed at inclusive recruitment, including:

  • Dedicated staff for recruitment, outreach and marketing support
  • Referral systems for community partners
  • Engagement with high school guidance counselors and community colleges
  • Website landing pages
  • Press conferences and press releases

TARGET IMPACT

Primary metrics to be tracked include:

  • Number of individuals enrolled in training
  • Number of individuals retained (actively participating in apprenticeship) after two years
  • Number of individuals completing training
  • Number of individuals receiving IT certifications
  • Number of individuals securing ongoing employment or enrolling in advanced training

WEBSITE LINK

USE OF EVIDENCE & PROGRAM EVALUATIONS

A wealth of evidence supports the effectiveness of apprenticeship programs in helping participants secure long-term employment in living wage jobs. Research suggests wraparound services to be an enabling factor in successful program completion, which prompted their inclusion in the original Request for Proposals (RFP). Harris County has partnered with Elite Research to pursue a comprehensive program evaluation for Apprenticeship Advantage.

The goals of the evaluation are:

  • To understand how effective and equitable the Apprenticeship Advantage program is in supporting unemployed and underemployed individuals who were affected by COVID-19 in achieving upward mobility;
  • To understand how effective and equitable the Apprenticeship Advantage program is in creating and/or expanding opportunities for U.S. Department of Labor RAP in traditional and high-growth emerging industries within Harris County and in creating access to opportunities for the unemployed, underemployed, dislocated workers, opportunity youth, people of color, women, and those without college degrees who were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19; and
  • To understand how effective wraparound support services are in increasing program completion, placement, and retention rates.

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