The strongest pre-apprenticeship programs design instruction and training to reach underserved populations.
It is critical that pre-apprenticeship programs serving opportunity youth are designed to reach all learners. There are a number of strategies to do this, including literacy circles, collaborative group work, and projects, all of which can help opportunity youth take charge of their own learning. Online learning platforms such as Khan Academy can be used simultaneously with these strategies to address any skills gaps.
Programs should support participants in setting long-term goals with interim benchmarks and milestones so they understand the progress they are making, especially when their ultimate goals may take multiple months or even years to achieve. Interim benchmarks and incentives help foster persistence on what can be a very tough but worthwhile journey.
JFF recommends that programs apply a universal design for learning (UDL) approach to pre-apprenticeship program instruction, training, and assessment. This helps providers design and deliver content in a way that is accessible to all learners and that meets the needs of different learning styles. Some strategies for implementing a UDL approach include:
- Building in opportunities for collaboration and engagement with peers and instructors to support learning and processing of information.
- Delivering information and content through a range of modalities to meet the diverse needs of tactile, visual, and auditory learners. This includes using multimedia, visual aids, recorded content, and hands-on learning and instruction activities.
- Using e-portfolios to offer options for documenting skills and knowledge. Strong examples of this come from CAST, a leader in the UDL field. In partnership with YouthBuild, CAST has designed STEMfolio for opportunity youth interested in pursuing STEM careers. Leveraging this technology, CAST co-designed the IMTfolio with WRTP and JFF to support apprentices and pre-apprentices with learning disabilities in the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship program.
- Incorporating opportunities for reflection to help participants process information and demonstrate their understanding of the content.
Finally, high-quality pre-apprenticeship programs for opportunity youth should provide productive and inclusive learning environments for participants. JFF recommends that programs embed a healing-centered approach to program design. This is critical for opportunity youth who have experienced trauma resulting from systemic racism, abuse, neglect, poverty, and community violence. Although program staff are likely not clinicians, applying this lens can support the long-term success of participants within the pre-apprenticeship program and beyond. JFF recommends that programs invest in professional development and learning to support these efforts and partner with community partners to address issues of trauma in a way that is informed and sensitive to the needs of participants. A recent National Fund for Workforce Solutions guide, A Trauma-Informed Approach to Workforce, provides foundational information, guidance, and examples of workforce development organizations and employers who have implemented trauma-informed approaches.