Publication: Apprenticeship

• Wonacott, Michael

Although apprenticeship used to be viewed as academically
questionable, today many educators consider it an ideal
vehicle for the work-based learning necessary for the
school-to-work transition. In particular, youth
apprenticeships are seen as having potential to minimize
youth floundering in the labor market, ensure educative
work experiences, increase earnings and educational
attainment, and make school more meaningful. Unions may
perceive youth apprenticeship as a threat to their
influence, or they may view it as a help in maintaining
unions and wages. Many states focus their efforts on
employer participation in youth apprenticeships, but
concerns about costs, lost trainer productivity, and
liability often affect employer participation in youth
apprenticeship. Employers involved in apprenticeship would
prefer increased training and support for workplace mentors
and trainers and improved coordination with schools. Women
tend to be underrepresented in apprenticeship and to enjoy
less favorable earnings outcomes, while African Americans
are often over-represented but have less favorable
completion rates and employment and earnings outcomes.
Students may not be aware of apprenticeship opportunities,
or they and their parents may have unfavorable perceptions
of this option. (This document contains an annotated
bibliography listing 28 references.) (KC)