How apprenticeships might create new opportunities for students and employers

In the United States, apprenticeships are often associated with particular industries like the building trades. But in Switzerland and other parts of Europe, apprenticeships are common in many other industries. In fact, 70% of Swiss high school students participate in that country's apprenticeship program as part of their high school education. Can a similar model work in the U.S.? In this video, a team at Harvard Kennedy School's Project on Workforce discusses recently published research which used data from CareerWise Colorado, an organization that places high school students in two- and three-year apprenticeships, to determine whether such a program could help students and employers in the American labor market.

The Project on Workforce is an interdisciplinary, collaborative project between the Harvard Kennedy School's Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy, the Harvard Business School Managing the Future of Work Project, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. ​The Project produces and catalyzes basic and applied research at the intersection of education and labor markets for leaders in business, education, and policy. The Project’s research aims to help shape a postsecondary system of the future that creates more and better pathways to economic mobility and forges smoother transitions between education and careers.

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About Harvard Kennedy School:

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a graduate and professional school that brings together students, scholars, and practitioners who combine thought and action to make the world a better place.

Our mission is to improve public policy and public leadership across the United States and around the world so that people can lead safer, freer, and more prosperous lives. Harvard Kennedy School teaches current and future leaders the skills they need to effectively advance the public purpose in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Our renowned faculty and trailblazing research centers pioneer bold new ideas. And as the most international school at Harvard, we convene global leaders in the Forum, host visiting experts in the classroom, and attract a diverse community of faculty, students, and staff.

[rajdsingh]

It appears to be a viable idea as it bridges the gap between theory and practice 👍🏻The fact that the students can earn while gaining on the job experience is icing on the cake

[aaronbaca]

It's done by using the structure in place for the general labor trade and expanding it to general workforce.