There is no conflict of interest.
Highlights
- The study’s objective was to examine how many people participated in and completed Registered Apprenticeship programs for building trades in Michigan.
- The study used data from the Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database System (RAPIDS) to assess characteristics of Registered Apprenticeships and apprentices.
- The study found that unions are sponsors of many apprenticeships in the state and that union-sponsored apprenticeships have greater rates of completion, wage growth, and participation.
- The study relies on data that is over a decade old at the time of review and contained within one state so findings may not be generalizable across the United States.
Intervention Examined
Features of the Intervention
Registered Apprenticeships are on-the-job training programs that are approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and operated by sponsoring employers or labor organizations in collaboration with providers of related technical instruction (RTI). The length of the program and frequency of RTI varies from program to program. Registered Apprenticeships mainly help young adults looking for jobs and, to a lesser extent, older adults wanting to change careers. They result in a portable, stackable industry credential upon completion. Sponsoring employers or unions apply specific, unique criteria for admittance into the programs they operate. The apprenticeships in this study are in the building trades and are all located in Michigan.
Features of the Study
The descriptive study used data from the Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database System (RAPIDS). RAPIDS is the U.S. Department of Labor's tracking system that gathers information on all Registered Apprenticeship programs. It includes data about the apprentices and the programs they participate in. Between 2000 and 2014, 31,703 apprentices started programs in Michigan's building trades; among them, 3.1% were women, 11.5% were racial or ethnic minorities, 6% were veterans, and half were under 25 years old. To assess completion rates, the authors excluded apprentices who left programs due to illness, program cancellation, or other involuntary reasons. Additionally, some findings are from a six-question email survey completed by 102 employers in the state.
Findings
- The study found that 80% of apprenticeships started between 2000 and 2014 were union apprenticeships. Union apprenticeships attracted more women, racial or ethnic minorities, and veterans compared to non-union apprenticeships.
- The study found that the five leading occupations for apprenticeships (Electrician, Construction Craft Laborer, Carpenter, Roofer, and Pipe Fitter) comprised 65.7% of all apprenticeships initiated between 2000 and 2014. Among these, Construction Craft Laborer apprenticeships had a 99% union affiliation, whereas Electrician apprenticeships had a 43% Union affiliation.
- The study found that 9,029 people successfully completed apprenticeships between 2000 and 2014. The completion rate for union apprenticeships was much higher than non-Union apprenticeships (42% vs. 22%).
- The study found that individuals who completed apprenticeships had an average final wage of $21.42 per hour, reflecting a $7.21 rise from their initial pay. Union apprentices experienced both higher concluding wages and more substantial wage growth throughout their apprenticeship compared to their non-union counterparts.
- The study found that between 71 and 86% of apprenticeship sponsors reported that apprenticeships were an important part of their training, recruitment, and retention strategies. Over half (57.8%) of apprenticeship sponsors also reported that costs were a minor to significant issue in running their apprenticeship programs.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
The RAPIDS data used in the study is over ten years old as of the review date and only pertains to one state. Therefore, the findings might not apply to the whole country, especially given the major changes and investments in the apprenticeship sector in recent years. Also, RAPIDS data encompasses only select aspects of apprenticeships and apprentices, which means there are other factors that could affect completion rates and wage growth that are not included. Lastly, there is little information on the email survey that contributes to the findings about apprenticeship sponsors, including an unknown response rate.
Research Guidelines
Review Protocol: Employment and Training Review Protocol
Review Guidelines: Quantitative Descriptive Guidelines