Expanding Apprenticeship to Opportunity Youth
Since 2019, JFF has enrolled more than 400 opportunity youth into apprenticeship programs and started a cohort of 15 programs across the country.
Funder
U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship
Timeline
June 2019 – June 2022
Target Population
Opportunity Youth
Locations
Nationwide
Key Partners
- Social Policy Research Associates (SPR)
- National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB)
- District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund (1199C)
- Center for Rural Strategies (CRS)
Key Objectives
Enroll 700 Opportunity Youth into a Registered Apprenticeship pathway
Learn More About Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning for Opportunity Youth
With the support of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Expansion and Modernization Fund, JFF is increasing access to Registered Apprenticeship programs for opportunity youth—young adults ages 16 to 24 who do not have connections to school or employment.
JFF is building these connections by:
- Building the capacity of youth-serving organizations, workforce development boards, communities, employers, and others
- Supporting the expansion of pre-apprenticeships that lead to Registered Apprenticeship programs
- Establishing a nationwide network of training and technical assistance providers to support prospective and current Registered Apprenticeship sponsors, intermediaries, and other stakeholders
As a crucial part of this work, JFF is providing intensive, hands-on support to 15 organizations across the country.
This network is comprised of workforce development boards and community-based organizations that are members of of the Aspen Opportunity Youth Forum and JFF's Young Adult Talent Development Network:
Visit JFF’s Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning
Project Progress
Since the project launched in June 2019, JFF has registered more than 400 opportunity youth apprentices with several organizations, including the Virginia L. Grant Foundation, Independent Electrical Contractors Chesapeake (IEC), Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Communities in Schools of Philadelphia, Construction Laborers Training Center, and Construction Careers Foundation.
JFF also registered six apprenticeship programs with the Loop Lab, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, and Goodwill of North Georgia.
Implications of COVID-19
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, JFF has worked collaboratively with our network of sites and our partners to respond to challenges and develop strategies to keep opportunity youth engaged in training. We have supported our sites in their efforts to transition work-based learning to virtual settings, design new pathways to Registered Apprenticeship, and deal with staff cuts and budget shortfalls.
Employer Spotlight: Anthem and United Way Greater Atlanta
As part of our work to create new training opportunities for young adults who are disconnected from school and the labor market, JFF is supporting the partnership of United Way of Greater Atlanta and health care company Anthem Inc., whose Atlanta office runs an IT apprenticeship program for young people who are aging out of foster care.
Using incentive funds from the project, Anthem and United Way were able to support 14 opportunity youth apprentices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspired by the success of the apprenticeship and partnership in Atlanta, Anthem is committed to expanding the program throughout Georgia and to other Anthem sites across the country.
Work With Us
Find out more about partnering with JFF’s Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning
Tool
JFF's Framework for a High-Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program: Opportunity Youth
This pre-apprenticeship framework outlines strategies and promising practices for developing high-quality programs that serve opportunity youth participants.
Report/Research
How Apprenticeship Programs for Opportunity Youth Stay Resilient Through the COVID-19 Recession
This report looks at strategies for sustaining and expanding Registered Apprenticeship pathways for opportunity youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors highlight promising practices from workforce boards and community-based organizations, and address topics including the digital divide, occupational mobility, and the provision of services and supports.
Apprenticeships are especially promising programs for opportunity youth—the 4.69 million people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are out of school and unemployed.