Leveraging Apprenticeships for Talent Acquisition: A Modern Guide
Why Registered Apprenticeships?
Amid America’s economic transformation, Cleveland and Northeast Ohio continue to grapple with the challenges posed by shifting industries.
The skills gap looms large: 6.6 million Americans remain unemployed, while companies boast nearly as many job openings. The mismatch lies not in the quantity of opportunities but in the skills and credentials of today’s job seekers.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs emerge as a pragmatic solution, and offer mutually beneficial arrangements:
1. Employers develop the skilled future workforce and diverse talent they need to accelerate innovation and growth.
2. Apprentices gain paid work experience, invaluable education, recognized credentials and greater potential for upward mobility than non-apprentice peers.
This e-book, presented by Greater Cleveland Partnership’s (GCP) Registered Apprenticeship Program Hub, explores employer benefits, success stories, and industry-specific solutions.
6.6
million Americans remain unemployed
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2024
As the nation’s largest metropolitan chamber of commerce, and a trusted partner to more than 12,000 members, GCP works to build a vibrant business environment in Greater Cleveland—with an inclusive, long-term, regional talent pipeline.
A key priority of GCP’s current “All In” plan for the region is having abundant talent to support business growth and inclusive opportunity. Work-based learning bridges employment and diversity gaps to build a skilled, motivated and high-performing workforce that can fill in-demand jobs in Greater Cleveland.
Apprenticeship Growth and Benefits for Employers
The region’s employers can realize abundant return on their Registered Apprenticeship Program investment.
Benefits include:
Saving on employee recruitment & turnover costs over time Improving employee attraction & retention rates
Growing a more diverse & innovative workforce
Nationwide, Registered Apprenticeship Programs are gaining traction, with:
886K+ Apprentices Served
25K+ Active Apprenticeship Programs
7,454 New Apprenticeship Programs Since 2021
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship, 2023
Apprenticeships span industries and organizations of all types and sizes, from small businesses to large corporations.
In the past five years, U.S. Registered Apprenticeships have demonstrated dramatic growth in key industries:
Healthcare: Financial Services:
169%
Information Technology:
263%
GCP Offers Registered Apprenticeships in Six Industries
Banking
Facilities
221%
(IT)
Reduce Employee Recruitment and Turnover Costs
Apprenticeship Programs, such as GCP’s Registered Apprenticeship Hub, reduce employee recruitment and replacement costs, which range from one-half to two times an employee's annual salary.
Due to their wage progression requirement, Registered Apprenticeships also help companies save money on apprentices’ salaries upfront. Companies in GCP's Registered Apprenticeship Program Hub receive a stipend of $2,000 per apprentice for their first cohort. This stipend doubles for companies who complete GCP's Equity & Inclusion Organizational Assessment.
The U.S. Department of Commerce & Case Western Reserve University validated the value of apprenticeships with a study showing every dollar invested in apprenticeship programs yielded a 47% return through:
• Increased productivity
• Increased innovation
• Improved retention & recruitment
• Better employee engagement
“All of the firms we studied believe that apprenticeships improve their overall performance and provide a competitive advantage over other firms.”
Source: commerce.gov 89% 3-year retention rate
Outperform With a Diverse Workforce
Apprenticeships provide a clear path for organizations to find and keep diverse talent and increase equity within their workforce, as they provide opportunities for diverse, underrepresented and non-traditional job seekers.
Companies with the most ethnically diverse executive teams outperformed their less diverse peers on profitability by 36% (McKinsey, 2020).
36%
Inclusive companies are
1.7x
80%
Aged 18–34
74% Aged 35–54 of employees and job seekers say that a company’s investment in diversity, equity and inclusion is very or somewhat important to them.
(Glassdoor economic research, 2022). more innovative than their peers (The Josh Bersin Company, 2019).
“Through the collaboration of Westfield Insurance and Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP), the apprenticeship program we initiated holds a profound commitment to equality. My hope is that this path will guide a multitude of promising candidates, leading them to achieve remarkable positions. I am proud to contribute to a program that not only transforms careers but also paves the way for a more inclusive and vibrant future."”
— Tracey Petkovic,
Chief Information Officer, Westfield Insurance
Participant in Talent Accelerator (powered by GCP), a Workforce Connect IT Sector Partnership initiative which leverages a 12-month Registered Apprenticeship model
Apprenticeships are Growing in Ohio
Registered Apprenticeships have increased by 95% in Ohio over the past 10 years (2013 – 2023).
Source: Ohio Department of Job & Family Services
Apprentices Train to Excel
With their unique combination of on-the-job training and related technical instruction, Registered Apprenticeships provide a tailored training experience—unlike traditional work experience or post-secondary degree programs. This experience prepares apprentices for long-term employment and, eventually, mentorship of new apprentices.
Many Registered Apprenticeship Program participants also complete a pre-apprenticeship, which includes soft skills training for competencies such as time management, communication and teamwork. Pre-apprenticeships may also include technical instruction, depending on the industry, and provide a pipeline of talent that leads to future full-time apprentices.
Apprentices hail from throughout Greater Cleveland and include individuals considering post-secondary and second career options, plus those leaving the military to return to civilian employment.
Apprenticeships help level the playing field for diverse job seekers, offering initial opportunity and higher lifetime earnings versus non-apprentices.
Apprentices make
$300K more over their lifetime versus non-apprentice peers without a college degree.
Partnerships Pave Pathways to Apprenticeships
GCP collaborates with local workforce development organizations, including The Urban League of Greater Cleveland, New Bridge Cleveland, and West Side Catholic Center, to identify diverse talent to provide a pipeline for Registered Apprenticeship Programs and, in some cases, pre-apprenticeship programs.
GCP also has developed relationships and pre-apprenticeship pathways with local high schools who are able to help attract diverse talent to Registered Apprenticeships.
“ We map expectations out front. We invest time and energy to show potential apprentices what they are working towards. We say, ‘Here are your rewards — an opportunity to earn and learn, be coached and mentored.’ ”
- Goren B. Dillard
Senior Director, Adult Workforce Development Urban League of Greater Cleveland
How to Implement an Effective Apprenticeship Program
Greater Cleveland Partnership is here to make your apprenticeship experience as seamless, cost-effective and beneficial as possible.
According to a 2022 U.S. Department of Labor American Apprenticeship Initiative Evaluation, apprenticeships cost up to $8,800 per apprentice.
The good news? Apprenticeships get easier and more cost-effective with experience.
To-date, GCP has partnered with businesses to register 13 Registered Apprenticeship pathways. We continue to add more in response to employer needs.
Let GCP put its experience to work for you.
As your partner, GCP’s Registered Apprenticeship Hub will:
• Design and support Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships to fit your business needs
• Help you save money on recruitment costs and upfront wages, and provide incentives to first-time employers
• Train your current employees to become mentors, helping you improve leadership opportunities for incumbent workers
Start Building Your Pipeline Today
Registered Apprenticeships help fill open jobs, save money and create a more diverse pipeline of skilled, motivated and high-performing employees.
GCP offers participating employers financial incentives, personnel support, and equity and inclusion support to ensure success.
Achieve a competitive advantage through registered apprenticeships. Contact GCP today.
