Registered apprenticeships for career training are growing rapidly in Tennessee, according to a new report by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. The report highlights the significant roles that the state’s community and technical colleges play in the apprenticeship process.
Registered apprenticeships are a work-based learning model certified by the U.S. Department of Labor. They combine supervised on-the-job training, paid work experience, classroom instruction, and mentorship. This approach enables apprentices to receive formal training in a desired occupation while gaining work experience and earning pay from an employer.
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The full report, “An Overview of Registered Apprenticeships in Tennessee,” details the history and growth of apprenticeships, the federal and state policy strategies fueling them, the variety of programs, and the organizations involved, including the state’s public colleges and universities.
The report states that Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) and community colleges (CCs) are essential in the apprenticeship process. They can serve as both sponsors and employers in registered apprenticeship programs, though they primarily act as sponsors. Nine out of 24 TCATs and 11 of the state’s 13 community colleges operate as either a sponsor or employer for these programs in Tennessee.
Additionally, several public universities, including the University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Memphis, and Tennessee State University, are sponsors for registered apprenticeship programs. These institutions are vital in providing the necessary educational experiences for many registered apprenticeships.
The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) has created a Center for Apprenticeship to support and provide resources to its institutions for apprenticeships. The center focuses on increasing awareness of apprenticeships, brokering new industry partnerships, pursuing funding to grow apprenticeships, and developing supportive policies.
Dr. Jothany Reed, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs in the TBR system, emphasized the importance of collaboration to expand registered apprenticeships across the state. Zachary Adams, assistant vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Workforce Alignment, is leading efforts to synergize the efforts of colleges, employers, and partners such as the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, in collaboration with the TBR Center for Workforce Development.
The Comptroller’s report notes that registered apprenticeship programs vary in format and length, depending on the industry, occupation, and employer. On average, these programs in Tennessee last about four years, with most completed within five years.
While construction and manufacturing occupations currently account for the largest number of registered apprentices in Tennessee, other top fields include public administration, educational services, and utilities. Tennessee’s “Grow Your Own” registered teacher apprenticeship initiative, launched in 2022, is highlighted as a model for other states.
The total number of apprentices served within a fiscal year in Tennessee increased from 5,124 in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2014 to 10,055 in FFY 2023, with significant growth since 2021. The number of active registered apprenticeships in Tennessee grew from 4,300 to 8,423 during that period.
Tennessee had the third highest total number of active apprentices in 2023 among eight Southeastern states, behind Florida and North Carolina but ahead of Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama. Tennessee had the second highest number of active apprentices per 100,000 population among those states.
Other conclusions in the Comptroller’s report include consistent growth in apprentices’ wages since 2014, greater-than-projected growth in the active apprentice population, and various limitations such as lack of awareness and upfront costs that hinder small and rural businesses from creating apprenticeships.
For further information about TBR’s apprenticeship and other workforce development programs, visit https://www.tbr.edu/cwd. The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, governing 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology, and the online TN eCampus, serving approximately 140,000 students.
Contact:
Richard Locker
615-366-4417
Published: 07/25/2024
Follow on Twitter: @CollegeSystemTN
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