This study was conducted by staff from Abt Global, 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 the electrical training ALLIANCE program.
- 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 while all Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) required 220 hours of related technical instruction (RTI), JATCs varied in program duration, on-the-job learning (OJL) requirements, hourly wages, timing of RTI, and the process for pre-apprenticeship completers to join the registered apprenticeship program. At the time of the study, electrical training ALLIANCE served 1,101 pre-apprentices (achieving 69% of their goal) and registered 670 apprentices (achieving 66% of their goal).
- A strength of the study is the detailed information about program operations, particularly around what activities were funded by the grants, and how JATCs worked with employers for OJL. However, one limitation is that the study authors do not provide details about their data collection methods.
- There is no companion impact study.
Intervention Examined
Electrical Training ALLIANCE
Features of the Intervention
- Type of organization: Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs), a sector-based organization
- Location: Multi-site in California
- Population served and scale: Veterans; Women; Racial/ethnic minorities, Individuals with disabilities; Non-college aged adults; 1,101 pre-apprentices
- Industry focus: Construction
- Intervention activities: On-the-job learning (OJL); Related technical instruction (RTI); Supportive services
- Organizational partnerships: Employers
- 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 electrical training ALLIANCE received a $4,779,700 AAI grant. The electrical training ALLIANCE created and piloted a new pre-apprenticeship program aimed at increasing completion rates for their inside wireman apprenticeship. The program was a collaboration between the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The AAI grant funds were allocated for staff salaries, recruitment, travel to an annual meeting, related technical instruction (RTI), training materials, and stipends of up to $1,530 for participants.
The program targeted groups aligned with the AAI grant goals, including those in unskilled jobs. The goal was to graduate 1,600 pre-apprentices and enroll 1,019 individuals in the RAP. The program operated at 15 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) nationwide. As of December 30, 2020, there were 13 active sites: California had three, North Carolina had two, Florida had two, and Arizona, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia each had one.
Features of the Study
The electrical training ALLIANCE was one of ten grantees selected to participate in the implementation study. 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. Four sites were recruited to participate in the electrical training ALLIANCE implementation study: Charlotte, NC; Detroit, MI; San Mateo, CA; and Tampa, FL. The study authors do not indicate how sites were selected other than saying electrical training ALLIANCE recruited them.
The majority (81%) of the 1,101 pre-apprenticeship program participants served were men. Among them, 40% were younger than 25 and 55% were 25 to 44 years of age. The racial breakdown included 35% Hispanic (of any race), 23% White, and 32% Black. Additionally, 16% were Veterans and 3% were people 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.
Findings
Intervention Activities/Services
- The study found that all JACTs required 220 hours of RTI. JATCs differed significantly in program duration, OJL requirements, hourly wages, timing of RTI, and how pre-apprenticeship completers could enter the RAP.
- All JATCs found participants for their pre-apprenticeship program by reviewing the list of applicants for their RAP. Many JATCs supplemented recruitment with postings, job fairs, word of mouth, and referrals from schools, non-profit organizations, and workforce development boards.
- At the time of the study, electrical training ALLIANCE served 1,101 pre-apprentices (69% of their 1,600 goal) and registered 670 apprentices (66% of their 1,019 goal).
Implementation Challenges and Solutions
- The study found that each program was successful using a different program design. One JATC that enrolled individuals that transitioned from military service reported that rapport was enhanced by having a Veteran RTI instructor.
- One challenge encountered was the timing between the end of the shorter, more frequent pre-apprenticeship and the start of the longer, less frequent RAP. When the schedules conflicted, some participants opted to leave the pre-apprenticeship early to begin the RAP, while others secured jobs during the break and decided not to proceed to the RAP.
- The program adapted to COVID-19 challenges by offering physically distanced or online RTI and that business closures affected the number of positions available for pre-apprentices and apprentices.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
The study authors answered the research questions by describing the target occupational area, grant activities, program design, participant characteristics and recruitment, employer engagement, employer perceptions, sustainment plans, and lessons learned. Additionally, when programs were operated in multiple sites, the study authors described variation across those sites in the above areas, as applicable. However, little information was provided about data collection methods and analyses.