This year, National Apprenticeship Week is November 13-19, 2023. Mathematica continues to work with our clients and partners to expand the evidence base on what works in apprenticeship policy and practice at the federal, state, and local levels.
As the U.S. economy bounces back from the COVID pandemic and focuses on equitable growth and inclusive workforce development, apprenticeship can play an important part in diversifying the workforce and promoting equity in pay and advancement opportunities across many different industries. Below we highlight Mathematica's ongoing work in the area of apprenticeship research:
Summary
What is it? A portfolio of evaluations of various DOL investments related to apprenticeship. What research are we conducting? A quasi-experimental impact evaluation, cost-benefit study, and an implementation study of two grant programs: (1) the Scaling Apprenticeship Through Sector-Based Strategies, and (2) the Closing the Skills Gap grants. Partners: Urban Institute, Capital Research Corporation
Summary
What is it? Part of the Apprenticeship Evidence-Building Portfolio, a study assessing the capacity of state agencies and their partners to design and deliver Registered Apprenticeship programs and services. What research are we conducting? A review and assessment of systems in a subset of 7 states by analyzing RAPIDS data and conducting interviews with state apprenticeship administrators and staff, training providers, workforce partners, intermediaries, and employers on various topics. Topics include: Implications of COVID-19 for apprenticeship systems and strategies; the role of financial incentives; recruitment of diverse apprentices; recruiting employers; expanding apprenticeship in rural areas; and data infrastructure and performance. Partner: Urban Institute
Summary
What is it? A 5-year study evaluating strategies implemented under DOL's Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) grants program. What research are we conducting? An impact evaluation and cost-benefit assessment of pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to registered apprenticeship programs, and implementation studies of the ABA grants. The project includes the Apprenticeship Research Network which is coordinating across organizations conducting research on apprenticeship to facilitate sharing of findings, methods, and learning about apprenticeship broadly. Partners: Urban Institute, Social Policy Research Associates
Summary
What is it? A center focused on providing technical assistance around registered apprenticeship data analysis, data systems, and resource development. What technical assistance are we providing? In partnership with the Employment and Training Administration’s Office of Apprenticeship, ADAP-TAC is developing training materials to help states improve system alignment with RAPIDS and WIPS information systems, as well as facilitating virtual trainings, peer-to-peer trainings and webinars addressing various aspects of Registered Apprenticeship Program data. Partners: Council of State Governments, The Turnout
Summary
What is it? In partnership with the Department of Labor’s Chief Evaluation Office and the Office of Apprenticeship, we are conducting a historical analysis of Registered Apprentices incarcerated in state and local correctional facilities. What research are we conducting? We are collecting state and county administrative data on employment and criminal justice system outcomes for individuals who became an apprentice while in a state or local correctional facility, using RAPIDS and other national databases. We will also be interviewing a small sample of correctional facility staff involved in registered apprenticeship to understand more about facility-based programs. This study is part of the Pathway Home Evaluation project.
Summary
What is it? Under the Regional Educational Laboratory Central body of work, the Wyoming Department of Education and Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board’s launched a teacher apprenticeship program, allowing staff members who are not fully licensed teachers to work toward a Bachelor’s degree and teacher certification while employed. We are providing evaluation technical assistance to help education partners determine if the teacher apprenticeship program is meeting its goals of helping reduce the teacher workforce shortage in Wyoming. What technical assistance are we providing? We are guiding an implementation evaluation of the Wyoming teacher apprenticeship program to help partners carry out the evaluation and identify improvements to the apprenticeship program.
