Apprenticeships - Workforce Development

Apprenticeships - Workplace Development

by Megan Ware & Martin Moore, Workplace Development Team

Utah’s November 2022 seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 2.2% with the national rate at 3.7%. The lack of skilled labor is a critical issue facing manufacturers today. The talent shortage is estimated to cost the US economy billions of dollars every year in lost productivity. To combat this problem, manufacturers are increasingly turning to youth apprenticeship programs as a way to find and develop the talent they need. UMA is at the forefront of apprenticeship development and implementation for manufacturers in Utah.

These programs provide young people with the opportunity to gain the skills and experience they need to be successful in the workforce. In return, businesses get an organic talent pipeline, a potential return on investment, and the ability to develop the workforce of the future.

Finding qualified talent is challenging, especially in industries that require specific skill sets. Apprenticeship programs are a great way to find and train talented career minded individuals as finding qualified talent is increasingly expensive, competitive, and time-consuming. Currently, the burden of educating our workforce falls directly on the education system, who are also short staffed and have a hard time keeping up with the speed in which industry changes. Meanwhile businesses are having difficulty finding employees with the appropriate competencies to fill these skilled positions.

Youth apprenticeships tackle the problem head on by helping businesses play a large part in shaping young talent and providing the education system with an applied learning environment for students. Youth apprenticeships offer robust work-based learning opportunities in modern day careers like Advanced Manufacturing to Machining; and take an innovative approach to talent acquisition that ultimately leave businesses with a positive ROI and workforce fit to tackle the modern-day world. Apprenticeship programs are designed to give participants on-the-job training in a specific trade or profession. These programs typically last for one to two years, and often involve a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on learning.

Apprenticeship programs can be a great way to find talented individuals who are looking to start a career in a specific field. These programs provide participants with the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in their chosen profession in an earn and learn model, opening up a broader spectrum of students who may not otherwise have the opportunity for this type of education.

If you’re considering starting a youth apprenticeship program at your business, becoming a Partner with the Utah Manufacturing Association is for you. We can help you navigate programs and options, and show you the benefits and challenges of the different programs, as well as what you need to know to get started and build a successful apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship and Education

Manufacturing apprenticeships don’t divert students from higher education, rather it’s an in-depth education option that combines theoretical learning with hands-on learning focused on preparing students for a viable and successful career in manufacturing. It can be a direct path to high-paying, in-demand jobs, or the first stackable step in their education journey. Any student, regardless of their end goal, can benefit from an apprenticeship.

The value add for business can be defined by the following:

• Reduce turnover costs and increase your retention rate

• Recruit and develop a highly trained workforce for hard-to-fill positions

• Create industry-driven and flexible training solutions to meet your specific needs

• Positive ROI based on the value of apprentices’ productivity

Youth apprenticeships are industry-driven where organizations can develop their own consortium of candidates. In the current labor market, the talent pool is simply too small. In this hot labor market, where the number of jobs exceeds the number of skilled workers, there’s a high probability that other organizations are trying to poach your employees. Not just your stars. Everyone. If employers create pipelines and paths, this can lead to higher retention and a strong company culture.

While the initial investment for an apprenticeship program can seem daunting, the return on investment is clear. Apprenticeship programs provide employees with the opportunity to learn new skills and improve their productivity. In addition, apprenticeship programs often result in increased retention rates and decreased training costs. If you are interested in learning more about how apprenticeship programs can benefit your business, please connect with us.