The Roles That Colleges and Universities Play in Apprenticeship
As a training provider, colleges and universities deliver academic instruction driven by industry standards.
Primary responsibilities include co-creating apprenticeship curriculum alongside local businesses, granting progressive credentials based on competency testing, and facilitating access to financial aid and other support resources (e.g., academic, tutoring, counseling).
As an intermediary, colleges and universities serve as connectors to their local business community while remaining committed to providing students with quality education, experiential learning, and skills that meet employer needs.
Primary responsibilities include recruiting, screening, and testing potential apprentices ready, to begin with, an apprenticeship sponsor. Colleges and universities work with individual employers, large and small, to design a tailored curriculum that meets individual employers' business goals.
As a sponsor, colleges and universities operate a Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Primary responsibilities include assuming full responsibility for the administration and operation of an apprenticeship program. This includes employing apprentices.
Post-Secondary Education Success Stories
Discover how local colleges and universities are working with regional and local industry, improving transitions for K-12 students, and forging partnerships across their state to be successful in apprenticeship.
Expand Employer Base
Learn how Harper College expanded on their apprenticeship program footprint
Effective Partnerships
Understand how Macomb Community College developed partnerships
Diverse Talent
Learn about outreach strategies employed at Reynolds Community College
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is partnering with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to Expand Community College Apprenticeships. To learn more about this initiative and their apprenticeship participant colleges, visit the AACC website.
In addition, as part of the ECCA initiative, AACC created a Virtual Apprenticeship Network Toolkit. While high-quality tools about Registered Apprenticeship Programs for community colleges exist, few are compiled and organized specifically for community colleges. AACC has identified, organized, and, where necessary, created or customized tools for rapid adoption by community colleges.
Registered Apprenticeship at Minority Serving Institutions
The Nation's 105 HBCUs are located in 20 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and serve more than 300,000 undergraduate and graduate students. These institutions continue to be important engines of economic growth and community service, and they are proven ladders of intergenerational advancement for men and women of all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds, especially African Americans. The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) calls for Federal Agencies to work in partnership with HBCU leaders, representatives, students, and alumni, to eliminate barriers HBCUs face in providing the highest-quality education to a growing number of students.
In addition to HBCUs, there are hundreds of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across the United States—there were 797 MSIs in operation as of 2021 according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. The Office of Apprenticeship partners with the Center for Minority Serving Institutions (CMSI) as a part of the DEIA Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Center of Excellence. CMSI developed a report on the current state of registered apprenticeship across Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Learn more about the Office of Apprenticeship’s DEIA efforts on apprenticeship.gov.
Registered Apprenticeship is an innovative and time-tested superhighway in the education and workforce development infrastructure, particularly for communities who have been excluded from good jobs for far too long. Good jobs, like Registered Apprenticeships, help develop highly skilled workers and help career seekers launch successful, well-paying careers. Registered Apprenticeship can serve individuals historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality by allowing apprentices to earn while they learn. The MSIs listed below have launched or joined a Registered Apprenticeship Program. There are 81 MSIs sponsoring Registered Apprenticeship programs. There are 19 HBCU sponsors and training providers (as of March 2024).
MSI Sponsors Key:
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (AANH)
- Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI)
- Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI)
- Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI)
- Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI)
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
- Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU)
Sponsor Name | MSI Type | Occupations |
---|---|---|
Alabama A & M University | HBCU | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) |
Albany Technical College | PBI | Diesel Mechanic, Form Builder (Const), Welding (Existing Title: Welder, Combination |
Alcorn State University | HBCU | Business Management |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion | HSI | Application Developer |
Arizona Western College | HSI | Electrician (Alternate Title: Interior Electrician) |
Atlanta Technical College | PBI | Electrician, Maintenance, Emergency Medical Technician, Refrigeration Unit Repairer, Repairer Welding Equipment |
Auburn University at Montgomery | PBI | Registered Nurse |
Austin Community College District | HSI | Application Developer, Computer Programmer, Network Support Technician |
Bakersfield College | HSI | Registered Nurse Resident, Elect-Prod-Line-Maint-Mechanic |
Baltimore City Community College | PBI | Maintenance Repairer, Industrial |
Bergen Community College | AANAPISI & HSI | Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), Emergency Medical Technician, Medical Assistant, Medical Record and Health Information Technician/Medical Coders, Nurse Assistant Certified (CB), Pharmacist Assistant (Alternate Title: Pharmacy Technician), Phlebotomist |
Bishop State Community College | HBCU | Electromechanical Technician CB |
Broward College | HSI | Information Technology Specialist, Network Support Technician |
Cankdeska Cikana Community College | TCU | Direct Support Specialist |
Central Arizona College | HSI | Electrician (Alternate Title: Interior Electrician) |
Central Georgia Technical College | PBI | Carpenter, Electrician, Maintenance, Electronic Systems Tech, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Industrial Manufacturing Technician |
Chattahoochee Valley Community College | PBI | Registered Nurse |
City College of San Francisco | AANAPISI | Cyber Security Support Technician |
Coastline Community College | AANAPISI & HSI | Cloud Support Specialist, Computer Support Specialist, Cyber Security Support Technician |
College of Dupage | AANAPISI & HSI | CNC Operator and Programmer, Computer Programmer, Computer Support Specialist-Desktop Support Tech, Early Childhood Educator, Electromechanical Technician CB, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Medical Assistant, Precision Assembler, Bench |
College of Lake County | HSI | CNC Operator - Milling and Turning, Mold Maker, Die-Cast & Plastic |
College of Southern Idaho | HSI | Cook, Machine Operator I |
Columbus Technical College | PBI | Building Maintenance Repairer (Ex. Title: Maintenance Repairer, Building), Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanic & Installer, Mechatronics Technician, Tool and Die Maker |
Dallas College | HSI | Early Childhood Educator, K-12 Teacher, Teacher Aide I, Ambulance Attendant (EMT), Emergency Medical Technician, Home Health Director (CB), Medical Assistant, Nurse Assistant Certified (CB), Nurse Assistant Certified (Existing Title: Nurse Assistant), Paramedic (Alternate Title: Health Care Specialist), Pharmacy Support Staff (Alternate Title: Pharmacy Specialist), Phlebotomist, Registered Nurse Resident, Sterile Supply Technician, Production Cook, Truck Driver, Heavy, Electromechanical Technician CB, Industrial Sewing Machine Operator, Fire Fighter |
Del Mar College | HSI | Diesel Mechanic |
Denmark Technical College | HBCU | Education and Training |
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College | HBCU | Nurse, Licensed Practical |
East Mississippi Community College | PBI | Construction Craft Laborer, Operating Engineer (Alternate Title: Heavy Construction Equipment Mechanic) |
El Camino Community College District | AANAPISI & HSI | CNC Operator - Milling and Turning, Electromechanical Technician CB, IT Lab Technician, Machinist (Alternate Title: Precision Machinist) |
Elgin Community College | HSI | Fire Fighter Paramedic, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Nurse Assistant Certified (CB) |
Gadsden State Community College | HBCU | Nurse, Licensed Practical, Registered Nurse |
Georgia Piedmont Technical College | PBI | Emergency Medical Technician, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic |
Honolulu Community College | AANAPISI & ANNH | Construction Inspector |
Houston Community College | AANAPISI & HSI | Automotive Technician Specialist, Computer Support Specialist-Desktop Support Tech, General Insurance Associate, Nurse Assistant Certified (CB), Nurse Assistant Certified (Existing Title: Nurse Assistant), Phlebotomist |
Howard Community College | AANAPISI | Biomedical Engineering Technician, Child Care Development Specialist, Database Technician, Education and Training, Information Technology Specialist (CB), Network and Computer Systems Administrator (Alternate Title: IT Specialist), Network Support Technician, Nurse, Licensed Practical, Surgical Technologist |
Hudson County Community College | HSI | Industrial Manufacturing Technician |
Indian River State College | HSI | Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic, Cook, Drafter Mechanical, Electrician (Alternate Title: Interior Electrician), Mechatronics Technician, Medical Assistant, Plumber, Transit Bus Technician |
Lawson State Community College | HBCU | Machinist (Alternate Title: Precision Machinist), Registered Nurse, Welder, Combination |
Lee College | HSI | Automobile Mechanic (Alternate Title: Light-Wheel Vehicle Mechanic), Cabinetmaker, Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanic & Installer, Horticulturist, Water Treatment Plant Operator, Welder, Combination |
Leeward Community College | AANAPISI | Mechatronics Technician |
Lone Star College System | HSI | Diesel Mechanic |
Mercy College | HSI | Community Health Worker |
Miami Dade College | HSI | Automotive Service Mechanic, Automotive Technician Specialist, Building Automation Technician, Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist), Help Desk Technician, Operations Management, Project Manager, Storage and Distribution Manager, Teacher Assistant, Teller (Financial) |
Morehouse School of Medicine | HBCU | Community Health Worker |
Morgan Community College | HSI | Heating & Air-Conditioner Installer |
Mt San Jacinto Community College District | HSI | Able Seaman, Application Developer, Computer Support Specialist, Network and Computer Systems Administrator (Alternate Title: IT Specialist) |
Oconee Fall Line Technical College | PBI | Welder (Existing Title: Welder, Combination) |
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | PBI | Information Technology Specialist |
Pima Community College | HSI | Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanic & Installer, Industrial Manufacturing Technician, Numerical Control Machinist Oper, Plumber, Residential Carpenter |
Polk State College | HSI | Cyber Security Support Technician |
Prairie View A&M University | HBCU | Cyber Security Support Technician, Nurse Assistant Certified (CB), Office Manager/Admin Services, Organic Vegetable Farm Manager, Residential Wireman, Welder, Combination |
Pueblo Community College | HSI | Medical Assistant, Medical Record and Health Information Technician/Medical Coders |
Raritan Valley Community College | HSI | CNC Operator - Milling, Machinist |
Rhode Island College | HSI | Community Health Worker, Recovery Coach |
Riverside City College | HSI | Cook (Hotel & Restaurant) |
Santa Ana College | HSI | Early Childhood Educator |
Santiago Canyon College | HSI | Early Childhood Educator |
Savannah Technical College | PBI | Drafter, Tool Design, Fabricator-Assembler Metal Prod, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Nurse Assistant Certified (CB) |
Shelton State Community College | HBCU | Nurse, Licensed Practical |
South Carolina State University | HBCU | Community Health Worker |
South Texas College | HSI | Facility Manager, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Information Technology Specialist, Machinist (Alternate Title: Precision Machinist), Phlebotomist, Professional Brewer |
South Georgia Technical College | PBI | Electrician, Machinist (Alternate Title: Precision Machinist), Welder, Combination |
Southern Crescent Technical College | PBI | Diesel Mechanic, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Mechatronics Technician, Nurse Assistant Certified (Existing Title: Nurse Assistant), Refrigeration Mechanic (Any Ind), Welder, Arc, Welder, Combination, Welding Machine Operator, Arc |
Tennessee State University | HBCU | Cyber Security Support Technician |
Texas Tech University | HSI | Electrician (Alternate Title: Interior Electrician), Plumber, Stationary Engineer |
The College of the Florida Keys | HSI | Electrician (Alternate Title: Interior Electrician), Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanic & Installer, Plumber |
Tohono O'odham Community College | TCU | Carpenter, Electrician, Electrician (Alternate Title: Interior Electrician), Plumber |
Truckee Meadows Community College | HSI | CNC Operator - Milling and Turning, CNC Set-Up Programmer - Milling and Turning, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Industrial Manufacturing Technician, Tool and Die Maker, Tool and Die Maker (Die Manufacturer) |
United Tribes Technical College | TCU | Accounting Technician (Alternate title: Financial Specialist), Career Development Technician, Customer Service Tech Support |
University of Arizona | HSI | Electrician (Alternate Title: Interior Electrician) |
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College | PBI | Heating & Air-Conditioner Install/Ser |
University of Hawaii at Manoa | AANAPISI & ANNH | Behavioral Health Paraprofessional |
University of Houston | AANAPISI & HSI | Community Health Worker |
University of Nevada-Las Vegas | AANAPISI & HSI | K-12 Teacher |
Utah State University | NASNTI | Direct Support Specialist, Carpenter, Electronics Technician, Heating & Air-Conditioner Install/Ser, Painter (Const), Plumber |
Virginia Commonwealth University | AANAPISI | Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanic & Installer |
Waubonsee Community College | HSI | Industrial Maintenance Mechanic |
Wayne State University | AANAPISI | Community Health Worker |
West Los Angeles College | HSI | Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic, Assembler Installer General, Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist), Early Childhood Education Teacher |
William Rainey Harper College | AANAPISI & HSI | Bank Branch Manager, CNC Operator - Milling & Turning, Electromechanical Technician CB, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Nurse Assistant Certified (Existing Title: Nurse Assistant), Transportation Clerk (Alternate Title: Transportation Management Coordinator) |