Apprenticeship & WBL for Businesses and Employers
About
Businesses and employers are the bedrock of work-based learning. The most effective programs are those that are developed with the insight and guidance of employers or industry associations to ensure that workers are actually being trained in skills that they will need on the job.
Companies such as Lockheed Martin, John Deere, Nissan, Honda, Best Buy, and others use work-based learning to attract, grow, and retain a talented workforce. Businesses that invest in work-based learning see immense benefits, including improved productivity, decreases in the number of defects, increased innovation, improvements in employee engagement, and increased workplace diversity and inclusion.
Visit JFF's Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning
Learn more about work-based learning and apprenticeship for your industry:
Resources
WBL Resources for Businesses and Employers
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This National Apprenticeship Week, Let’s Support Employers in Developing Equitable Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship can put workers on pathways to jobs in well-paid careers, but many workers don’t have opportunities to benefit from all that apprenticeship offers. JFF calls on employers to take our pledge to promote inclusion and diversity in apprenticeship.
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IMT Apprenticeship Provides Positive Return on Investment for Employers
JFF’s new study shows that employers who implemented the Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Registered Apprenticeship program had an impressive 48 percent return on investment.
Report/Research
The Next-Gen IMT Apprenticeship: A Return on Investment Study
This study measures the business impact of the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship program on six apprenticeship sponsors.
Report/Research
4 Strategies for Incorporating Equity and Diversity in Your Apprenticeship Program
This brief pulls up 4 approaches businesses are using to increase equity and diversity in their apprenticeship programs.
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Employer Leadership Spurs Apprenticeship Action: A Lesson from Chicago
Companies show that when apprenticeship is used as part of a business strategy, everybody wins.
Report/Research
Growing Equity and Diversity Through Apprenticeship: Business Perspectives
More than 20 leading employers and industry associations share strategies for making apprenticeship programs more accessible to people from underrepresented populations.
Report/Research
Work-Based Learning with Small Business
Work-based learning models offer employers an opportunity to develop a skilled local workforce
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How Health Care Employers Can Build Their Workforces With Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship can help health care employers recruit, train, and retain top-level talent.
Report/Research
Making Work-Based Learning Work for Retail
This guide is designed to provide an overview of work-based learning models and advice on how to implement them to develop stronger talent for the present and the future.
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Registered Apprenticeship Program Registration Process Packet
This step-by-step manual details the registration process for a registered apprenticeship.
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Strategies for Implementing OJT Simply and Effectively
This guide addresses key misconceptions of on-the-job training (OJT) and provides specific implementation tactics used by local workforce areas.
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JFF WBL Bookshelf: Businesses and Employers
Our favorite resources on work-based learning for businesses and employers from across the field.
Examples
Businesses and Employers with WBL Programs
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JFF Supports Lockheed Martin’s Apprentice Workforce
JFF worked with Lockheed Martin to transform an inefficient, state-by-state apprenticeship model into a centralized and streamlined national program.
Case Study/Profile
Building Workers' Skills at Ralph H. Simpson Co.
An Illinois manufacturer uses the Industrial Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship program to build its workers’ skills.
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JFF Drives Talent Growth for John Deere
JFF partnered with John Deere to build and deliver a national apprenticeship program for agriculture and equipment technicians and heavy construction equipment mechanics.
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Reflecting Community Composition with Mercy Health + Saint Joseph Mercy Health System Apprenticeship Program
Talent and workforce leaders at Mercy Health + Saint Joseph Mercy Health System share steps they took to diversify their apprenticeship cohorts to be more reflective of the communities they serve.
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Diversity in Apprenticeship is a Building Block of Coleman Spohn Corp.
Coleman Spohn Corp. President Lonnie Coleman explains why a diverse apprenticeship program is a key component for his business.
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Manufacturing Opportunities for All with Lippert’s Apprenticeship Program
Manufacturer Lippert Components offers a bilingual apprenticeship program to help the 33% of their team members who are Latinx reach their fullest potential.
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Treehouse Uses Apprenticeship to Grow Diversity in Tech
Seeing a need across the industry, Treehouse has developed a business model from placing underrepresented workers into tech apprenticeships.
Case Study/Profile
Work-Based Learning in Action
Work-Based Learning in Action is a series of case studies highlighting effective models of work-based learning.