This study was conducted by staff from Abt Associates, which co-administers CLEAR. The review of this study was conducted by ICF, which co-administers CLEAR and is trained in applying the CLEAR implementation study guidelines.
Citation
Highlights
- The study’s objective was to examine the implementation of the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) which provides grants to expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs. This profile focuses on Apprenticeship Carolina.
- The study authors conducted an implementation evaluation using data obtained through interviews, a survey, and programmatic data obtained from DOL's Apprenticeship Quarterly Performance Report (QPR) system.
- The study found that Apprenticeship Carolina succeeded because of its established apprenticeship programs and infrastructure. It registered 145 apprenticeship programs funded by AAI grants across various sectors. Of these programs, most were time-based with smaller proportions of competency-based or hybrid. At the time of the study, Apprenticeship Carolina registered 2,096 apprentices, exceeding their goal.
- A strength of the study is the detailed information about program operations, particularly the apprenticeship program prior to the AAI and the changes from new funding. The authors also provide information on Nephron Pharmaceuticals' pharmacy technician program, including technical training, certificates, and credentials. However, one limitation is that the study authors do not provide details about their data collection methods.
- There was no companion impact study.
Intervention Examined
Apprenticeship Carolina
Features of the Intervention
- Type of organization: State government agency
- Location: Multi-site in South Carolina
- Population served and scale: Veterans; Women; Racial/ethnic minorities; Individuals with disabilities; Non-college aged adults; 2,096 apprentices
- Industry focus: Advanced manufacturing; Health care and social assistance; Information Technology
- Intervention activities: On-the-job learning (OJL); Related technical instruction (RTI); Supportive services
- Organizational partnerships: Employers; Education; Non-profits
- Cost: Not included
- Fidelity: Not included
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) provided $175 million in grants to expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in areas that did not have many registered apprentices and for populations underrepresented in RAPs (e.g., women, Veterans, racial or ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, non-college aged adults). Beginning in 2015, DOL awarded five-year AAI grants to 46 grantees nationwide.
The South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) received a $5,000,000 AAI grant. The SCTCS consists of 16 technical colleges across the state. Apprenticeship Carolina, part of the SCTCS, promotes apprenticeship programs statewide. The AAI grant money was used for staff salaries, a return on investment study by the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business, and related technical instruction (RTI) expenses. Most of the grant funds (about 84%) went to RTI payments, which were limited to $2,500 per person. Apprenticeship Carolina focused on groups aligned with the AAI grant goals, such as women, Veterans, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and non-college aged adults. Employers recruited through SC Works (the state’s American Job Centers), as well as through television, radio, and social media. Technical college staff also encouraged current and prospective students to consider apprenticeships.
Employer engagement was carried out by existing apprenticeship consultants who were not funded by AAI. Employers learned about apprenticeships through SC Works, the Enterprise Zone Retraining Program, or directly from the technical colleges offering RTI. These consultants also assisted in designing and registering programs with the DOL, working closely with employers and RTI providers. Key RTI providers included Central Carolina Technical College, Midlands Technical College, Trident Technical College, and Greenville Technical College. One of the employers involved was Nephron Pharmaceuticals.
Features of the Study
The SCTCS was one of ten grantees selected to participate in the implementation evaluation. Selection criteria included participation in a recruitment sub study, grantee institution type (i.e., state agency, sub-state agency, college, or sector-based organization), progress toward target enrollees, and prior history with RAPs.
In the apprenticeship program, 71% of the participants were men. Among them, 25% were under 25 years old, 49% were between 25 and 44, and 27% were 45 or older. The racial breakdown included 3% Hispanic (of any race), 58% White, and 37% Black. Also, 6% were Veterans and there were no participants with disabilities.
Interviews were conducted in person during site visits in spring 2019 and over the phone in fall 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. A survey was conducted with a grantee representative between June and July 2019. Programmatic data were obtained from DOL's Apprenticeship Quarterly Performance Report (QPR) system. The study authors do not include information about the number of interviews conducted or their analytic methods. Also, while the SCTCS oversees 16 campuses across the state, the number of study locations was not explicitly provided.
Findings
Intervention Activities/Services
- The study found that Apprenticeship Carolina staff engaged employers, helped registered apprentices, found supportive services for program participants, facilitated relationships between employers and technical colleges and provided initial technical assistance, and supported events to bring more employers into the program.
- The primary benefits of the AAI grant reported by Apprenticeship Carolina staff were the staff positions that provided registration and other services for employers. At the time of the study, two additional DOL grants had been secured to continue their apprenticeship expansion efforts.
- Apprenticeship Carolina registered 145 apprenticeship programs using AAI grant funds in manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, construction, and other occupations. Most programs (65%) were time-based, 27% were competency-based, and 8% were hybrid.
- At the time of the study, Apprenticeship Carolina registered 2,096 apprentices (210% of their 1,000 goal).
- Apprenticeship Carolina benefited from strong existing relationship between SC Works, the Enterprise Zone Retraining Program, employers, technical colleges, workforce development agencies, and the state's DOL Apprenticeship Training Representative (ATR). This relationship with the ATR allowed for standards to be approved in usually just two business days.
Implementation Challenges and Solutions
- The study found that the program adapted to COVID-19 challenges by offering online or physically distanced (and reduced size) RTI or postponing RTI. COVID-19 made recruiting employers difficult since previous in-person outreach and engagement had to shift to webinars or videoconferencing.
- The state's apprenticeship structure lacked support staff to help employers after a program was designed and registered, a situation rectified by AAI-funded "registered program specialists."
- The study found that tying each registered program to the technical college system strengthened an already strong relationship and ensured that the primary drivers of apprenticeship in the state were employers and colleges, which negated the need for grant funds to sustain their programs.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
The study authors provide details about the program operations particularly around describing the state’s apprenticeship program that existed prior to the AAI grant and what changed because of the new funds. Additionally, there is a program spotlight on Nephron Pharmaceuticals' pharmacy technician program that provides detailed information on program aspects including RTI, OJL, and the certificates and credentials awarded. However, little information was provided about data collection methods and analyses in this report.