Equitable Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships

Thank you Amber, Jennie, and Simon for participating in our live event on 6/28/22 and sharing the great work that has been done around making apprenticeships more accessible and equitable for all. 

This discussion post will serves as a space for people to ask additional questions or share other resources related to pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships. 

Comments

Thanks for sharing the linked resources, Chrissie, and for hosting this community space for follow-up to yesterday's webinar!    We would love to hear about anyone using the Toolkit... or grappling with challenges it could help to address.  Are you part of an apprenticeship team that is looking at issues of equity?  What are the challenges? What are you learning along the way?  

The Equitable Apprenticeship Toolkit has the following information gathering tools:

1.Community Demographics and Skills

2.Occupation Demographics and Skills

3.Industry Employment Requirements

4.Apprenticeship Training Entry Requirements

5.Potential Apprentices’ Goals, Interests, and Challenges

6.Conditions for Equity-Focused Change

And the following action planning tools:

 

1.Defining the Goals of Your Equitable Apprenticeship Partnership

2.Securing Partnerships

3.Making Apprenticeship Entry Accessible

4.Designing a Pre-Apprenticeship Program

5.Removing Barriers and Supporting Transition to Apprenticeship

6.Making Apprenticeship Classroom and On-the-Job Training Accessible

7.Providing Support During Apprenticeship Training

8.Keeping Equity Front and Center

Example: Sonoma-Marin Bus Operator Pre-Apprenticeship Program

 

Access and Recruitment

•Transit agency agreed to eliminate pre-employment test and reduce years of driving to remove barriers for underserved populations

•Hired bi-lingual Outreach Specialist to recruit, register, and support students

•Publicity and outreach for pre-apprenticeship via collaboration with regional adult schools and community organizations

•Stipend offered by employers for entering and completing pre-apprenticeship

•Classes to be offered online and in the evening for working adults

 

Pre-Apprenticeship

•Curriculum is being built collaboratively with Golden Gate Transit staff and peer mentors (bus operators / union members working with adult education teachers)

•All classes taught in bi-lingual format

•Course content (reading, writing, soft skills) based on specific workforce needs

•Pre-apprenticeship includes practicum course with on site shadowing, ride-alongs with peer mentors, introduction to all aspects of transit employment

 

Transition to Apprenticeship

•Pre-apprenticeship curriculum will include completing application to entry level employment and apprenticeship and interview

•Hiring cycle is aligned by Golden Gate Transit to occur right at end of pre-apprenticeship

•Peer mentors and outreach specialist will provide seamless transition support

•Signing bonus to be provided to all pre-apprenticeship students who successfully enter employment at Golden Gate Transit