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Project

Next-Generation Apprenticeship for Next-Generation Talent

January 12, 2024

At a Glance

JFF is expanding access to pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship by preparing 1,000 young people ages 16-24 for participation in these programs by 2026. 

Contributors
Ginger Avila Director
Jessica Toglia Senior Manager
Ana Govea Manager
Deb Sutherland Executive Assistant
Mike Sack Senior Advisor
Marissa York Senior Manager
Practices & Centers

Challenge

Today an estimated 6 million young people ages 16-24 are disconnected from the workforce and education systems. Pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship are effective and supportive training models that can help youth re-engage in these opportunities and find a path to a career. However, much of our apprenticeship system is designed for adults. Many parents, teachers, community leaders, and employers are unaware that apprenticeship is a viable option for young people. As a result, many young people themselves are missing out on opportunities to take part in a form of work-based learning that’s widely recognized as an effective way to prepare for quality jobs.  

Approach

JFF and several partners with apprenticeship expertise launched the Next-Generation Apprenticeship for Next-Generation Talent initiative in 2022. The goal is to help build a workforce and education system in which all young people ages 16-24 in the United States have improved and equitable awareness of and access to career opportunities that begin with pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship (RA) training. The work, which focuses on high school students as well as youth who are not in school or working, is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America grant program. 

Results

The initiative, which runs through June 2026, has three goals: 

  • Prepare 1,000 young people, especially members of populations underrepresented in quality jobs, for entry into pre-apprenticeship and RA programs that put them on pathways to quality jobs. 
  • Establish 12 new RA programs and 15 new pre-apprenticeship programs. 
  • Expand 15 existing RA programs and 10 existing pre-apprenticeship programs. 

Related Content

Tool

JFF's Framework for a High-Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program

These 6 aspirational characteristics of high-quality pre-apprenticeship programs can build equity and improve success in new or existing programs. Pre-apprenticeship programs can be delivered by a range of entities and are designed to prepare underprepared…

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Report/Research

Promising Approaches for Connecting Opportunity Youth to Registered Apprenticeships

Learn promising practices in building and growing successful apprenticeship programs for opportunity youth. Learn promising practices in building and growing successful apprenticeship programs for opportunity youth. The number of opportunity youth—young people ages 16 to…

December 7, 2021

Learn more

Whether you’re looking to understand more about the apprenticeship model, build a new program in your region, or improve your program’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility practices, JFF’s Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning and our network of experts partners are available to support your efforts. Let us know more about you below, and we will be in touch!