Pre-Apprenticeship
About
Pre-apprenticeship programs prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship or other high-quality apprenticeship program, and ultimately a career. They can be delivered by a range of entities, including community-based organizations, high schools, labor organizations, workforce agencies, and community colleges. At educational institutions, the programs can and should be integrated directly into the existing curriculum and structure. High-quality pre-apprenticeship programs link directly to existing apprenticeship programs and provide instruction, preparation, and supports that enable participants to advance to apprenticeship programs or careers.
When pre-apprenticeship programs are implemented well, they can be bridges to career opportunities for students, new workers, or underprepared learners. Pre-apprenticeship is a particularly effective means of preparing people from underrepresented communities for high-quality employment opportunities—and thereby increasing diversity and equity throughout the apprenticeship and workforce systems.
Visit JFF's Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning
Learn More
For more on the 6 essentials, visit JFF's Framework for a High-Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Resources
Pre-Apprenticeship Resources
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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.
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Framework for a High-Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program: IT
This pre-apprenticeship framework outlines the six key characteristics of a high-quality pre-apprenticeship program with a focus on the IT industry.
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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 learners, students, and new workers to enter and succeed in Registered Apprenticeships or other high-quality apprenticeship programs, and ultimately careers.
This framework can be used by new or existing programs to help guide their growth and development.
Webinar Recording
The Essentials of a High-Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program
This webinar event explored the characteristics of JFF’s Framework for a High-Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program, what IBM looks for in a pre-apprenticeship, and how Pennsylvania is supporting these programs.
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We Need to Raise the Bar on Pre-Apprenticeships
Pre-apprenticeships can help workers from underrepresented populations become “apprenticeship ready.” But these programs lack consistent standards and expectations. JFF’s framework can help new or established programs become effective and equitable, opening new paths to apprenticeship and, ultimately, careers.
Report/Research
Getting Started with Pre-Apprenticeship: Partnerships
Getting Started with Pre-Apprenticeship provides an overview of the steps required to develop a pre-apprenticeship program that leads to an apprenticeship.
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JFF WBL Bookshelf: Pre-Apprenticeship
Our favorite resources on pre-apprenticeship from across the field.