430 | Ryan Craig: How Apprenticeships Will Create a Stronger and Fairer America
Nov 17, 2023
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Ryan Craig, author of Apprentice Nation, joins The Realignment to discuss the importance of apprenticeships in creating economic opportunity. They explore the difference between workforce development and apprenticeships and reimagine higher education as an apprenticeship service provider. The limitations of the university system are addressed, and the need for investment in education and a stronger earning and learning infrastructure is highlighted.
The United States needs a similar infrastructure to countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to support apprenticeships and incentivize employers to participate.
Higher education institutions need to adapt and integrate skill-building and work experience into degree programs, transforming themselves into apprenticeship providers.
Deep dives
The Importance of Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are being recognized as a valuable alternative to traditional college education. However, despite the widespread agreement on the benefits of apprenticeships, the key question is why they are not more prevalent in the United States. One reason is that college is still seen as the primary pathway to economic opportunity, but the rising costs of college and the changing job market have made it less attractive. While many people advocate for companies to create and hire apprentices, most employers are not willing to take the risk and investment in hiring someone who is not immediately productive. This is where intermediaries play a crucial role. Countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have successfully implemented apprenticeship programs by having intermediaries, such as chambers of commerce and unions, set up and run the programs on behalf of employers. In the US, there is a need for a similar infrastructure to support apprenticeships and incentivize employers to participate.
The Growing Skills and Experience Gap
The nature of work has changed, and employers now demand a combination of digital platform skills, business knowledge, and experience. College education falls short in teaching these specific skills, resulting in a skills gap between graduates and job requirements. Additionally, employers increasingly require job candidates to have relevant work experience, creating an experience gap for recent graduates. Digital transformation and automation further exacerbate this issue, as entry-level jobs now require higher levels of experience. The solution lies in integrating real work experience into the educational pathway, and apprenticeships provide a natural solution. Apprenticeships are jobs where individuals are hired without the necessary skills or experience, and employers provide on-the-job training and pay for the apprentice's development. By integrating experience into education through apprenticeships, young people can launch their careers and overcome the growing experience gap.
The Need for Investment in Apprenticeships
The United States lags behind other developed countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, in terms of apprenticeships. These countries have strong apprenticeship programs because they have invested in creating an ecosystem of intermediaries who set up and run the programs for employers. However, in the US, there is a lack of infrastructure and funding for apprenticeships. The responsibility for creating apprenticeships often falls on employers, but many are hesitant to take on the additional work and investment. To address this, governments can incentivize non-profit and private enterprises to build apprenticeship programs and subsidize the costs. By investing in apprenticeships, the US can bridge the gap and provide more young people with opportunities for career launch and economic mobility.
Reimagining Higher Education
Higher education institutions need to adapt and innovate to meet the changing needs of students and the job market. The current higher education system is monolithic and lacks diversity in program offerings. There is a need for creativity and mandates at the administrative, board, and accreditor levels to ensure that graduates acquire the necessary skills and work experience. Colleges and universities should integrate skill-building and work experience into degree programs, transforming themselves into apprenticeship providers. This shift requires faculty and institutions to embrace change and depart from traditional teaching methods. Governments can also play a role by funding the development of apprenticeship infrastructure and incentivizing colleges and community colleges to become apprenticeship service providers. With the right changes, higher education can provide a balanced approach that combines learning and earning, preparing students for successful careers.
Ryan Craig, author of Apprentice Nation: How the Earn and Learn Alternative to Higher Education Will Create a Stronger and Fairer America and a Managing Director at Achieve Partners, joins The Realignment. Marshall and Ryan discuss America's recent abandonment of the "college for all" approach, why bipartisan agreement on the importance of apprenticeships hasn't translated into their widespread availability, which countries have apprenticeship models worth following, and why the "earn and learn" approach is an effective pathway to career success and the American dream.
