No longer is apprenticeship limited to historical trades, but it has evolved to include such industries as advanced manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare. Who is Apprenticeship Carolina™? Apprenticeship Carolina™ is a division of the South Carolina Technical College System. Apprenticeship Carolina™ works to ensure all South Carolina employers can access the information and technical assistance necessary for creating demand-driven registered apprenticeship programs. As a free service to the organization, our apprenticeship consultants work with companies to guide them through the development process from initial information to full recognition in the National Registered Apprenticeship System. Apprenticeship consultants enable certain employers to have a full understanding of the apprenticeship training model. They help employers structure their training programs. This includes identifying existing models for the occupations in which they are interested. In addition, Apprenticeship Carolina™ will connect employers with the appropriate resources and service providers to assist with training design and delivery as well as possible funding for the program. The apprenticeship consultants also assist employers with program revisions or updates as workforce needs evolve. One of the most highly-touted advantages of working with Apprenticeship Carolina™ is the filing assistance. The apprenticeship consultant will draw up the employer’s Apprenticeship Standards along with the Training & Education Outline for submission to the USDOL. Once approved, the program will be fully recognized in the National Registered Apprenticeship System
The benefits of a registered apprenticeship program The advantages of a customized registered apprenticeship program can be substantial. A few notable benefits include:
• Transfer of knowledge Organizations in all industries face the challenge of an aging workforce. As experienced, highly-skilled workers retire, organizations must find ways to ensure they pass along their knowledge and expertise to the next generation of workers. Apprenticeship does just this. It provides an excellent opportunity to transfer that knowledge from the experienced workers to new recruits.
• Consistent training The apprenticeship training model allows organizations with a registered program to reap the rewards of consistency in training and learning. These organizations also gain from the reputation that goes along with a credentialed workforce.
• Increased skills and productivity Participants learn not only the “what” of their job through on-the-job training but also the “why” behind their actions through job-related education. This holistic view of their
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activities and how they fit into a bigger picture leads to increased skill levels and increased productivity.
• Better retention and higher morale A registered apprenticeship program also provides a clearly defined career path for employees. This can result in better retention, decreased turnover, and higher morale, as well as a succession plan for the organization.
• State tax credit In 2007, South Carolina established a state tax credit for registered apprenticeship. Organizations with registered programs can receive $1,000 per apprentice per year for up to four years.
The recent growth of apprenticeship in South Carolina In the past three years, Apprenticeship Carolina™ has made great strides in increasing the awareness and understanding of apprenticeship as an effective workforce development tool. In fact, since 2007, the number of registered apprenticeship programs has grown from 90 to 271 – an increase of 201% for the state. In addition, the number of active apprentices in the state has increased by 236% to a current level of 2613. Apprenticeship Carolina™ averages at least one new employer-sponsored program each week and has been nationally recognized as one of ten innovative workforce development best practices. Since its establishment, Apprenticeship Carolina™ has grown the number of registered programs in advanced manufacturing by 229% from 28 programs to 92 programs. Many of these companies are members of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance. What’s more, 33% of all registered apprenticeship programs in the state are in the advanced manufacturing sector, and 30% of the total number of apprentices in South Carolina are apprenticing in careers in advanced manufacturing. South Carolina’s top apprenticed occupations in advanced manufacturing are: Maintenance Technician, Machinist, Electromechanical Technician/Mechatronics, Tool and Die Maker, Machine Operator, Chemical Operator, and CNC Programmer/Operator.
“It’s a Perfect Fit”: The Duer/Carolina Coils’ Apprenticeship Program Duer/Carolina Coil, a world leader in spring technology and manufacturing, announced last Fall the establishment of a federally-recognized apprenticeship program for new DC Coil employees. The occupations being apprenticed include grinder, spring finisher, and bar stock preparer. Each of these programs is
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