State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAAs) have a significant role in registered apprenticeship expansion. More states and territories use SAAs to register programs than use the US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (OA). Unlike states registering programs through OA, SAAs can register state-only programs and grant reciprocity to other state-only registered programs. This brief summarizes how seven purposively selected SAAs determine which occupations are suitable for state-only apprenticeship programs and how they assess approval of programs registered in other states.
Why This Matters
Registered apprenticeship is an “earn-and-learn” training model that prepares workers for skilled careers in a range of industries and occupations. The US Department of Labor and SAAs have sought to increase apprenticeship opportunities across the country. Two ways to expand apprenticeships are to approve new occupations for apprenticeships and to recognize apprenticeship programs from other states (i.e., reciprocity).
What We Found
SAAs generally approach registration requests from program sponsors by determining whether the occupation is similar to one already approved by OA and thus could be modified without needing to be re-registered. If the occupation is not registered nationally, states take varying approaches to registration. One approach is to work with the program sponsor or employer to register the occupation with OA. Another approach is to register a state-only program. States that do this have strict criteria for registering state-only occupations, such as program length, projected occupational growth, median wages for completers, and postsecondary credential receipt upon completion.
States also took varying approaches to determining reciprocity for occupations approved by another SAA. Some states base reciprocity decisions on whether the occupation is OA-approved. Others review programs to ensure they align with state apprenticeship requirements and do not overlap with existing occupations.
How We Did It
The research team interviewed apprenticeship directors and other staff members in seven states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, North Carolina, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Questions focused on how states determine occupational suitability for state-only programs and procedures for assessing programs for reciprocity.
