As demand for skilled labor increases, apprenticeships are regaining popularity in the United States through the “earn while you learn” model. In fact, between 2015 and 2024, the number of federally registered apprentices grew from 360,000 to more than 667,000.
In Switzerland, Germany and Austria, roughly 70% of students start careers through apprenticeships. The U.S. is far behind—but catching up fast.
A report by Harvard Business School found that structured apprenticeship programs can prepare future employees better than the traditional college route in many sectors, and they create a strong pipeline for local talent.
Programs, such as, Apprenticeship Advantage Program, “promotes the apprenticeship model of workforce development, which includes on-the-job training and early job placement in partnership with employers.”
“Through partnerships with local businesses and industry leaders, students gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to graduate ready for college or to step directly into the workforce.” Houston ISD said in a statement.
Filling the gaps left by college
Apprenticeships offer an alternative to traditional college pathways, especially as college completion rates are low.
Less than half of Texas high school graduates, from the Class of 2022-23, enrolled in in-state higher education the following fall. Among Houston ISD students, only 29% of the Class of 2018 earned a degree within six years. The numbers are even lower for Black, Hispanic, and low-income students.
“There’s been an overwhelming focus on preparing kids for college… but matriculation and graduation rates are nowhere near where they should be,” said Hany Khalil, Executive Director of the Texas Gulf Coast Labor Federation. “If push comes to shove, they’ll decide they need to earn money (instead of finishing college).”
That’s why Khalil’s team is now building a “coherent, systematic pipeline” between Houston high schools and apprenticeship programs.
“You’re solving three problems that most kids graduating from high school don’t have solutions to—and that college doesn’t solve,” he said. “We think our apprenticeship programs are a really powerful tool to lift young people out of poverty.”
What local employers are saying
Data backs up the benefits of registered apprenticeships—not just for students, but also for companies.
In 2016, Workforce Solutions conducted a regional survey of businesses across Houston, Galveston, and surrounding areas participating in Registered Apprenticeship programs. Their responses confirmed the value:
Top 3 reasons companies recommend apprenticeships:
- 81% said it supports their training and retention strategy.
- 56% use the program to recruit more diverse candidates.
- 31% view it as a low-cost, effective recruiting tool.
“Apprenticeships are a great way to develop a pipeline of talented, high-skilled workers to help businesses grow,” said John Juzswik, President of Building Specialties, Inc. “This will help to lessen turnover, decrease recruitment costs and increase productivity.”
Nearly all companies surveyed reported that apprenticeships helped them:
- Develop clear and effective training programs
- Define advancement paths based on skill acquisition
- Create new roles aligned to evolving skill needs
- Demonstrate internal career growth potential
“The Igloo Apprentice Program is one of the important mechanisms we employ to enable our Associates to learn new skills, acquire enhanced capabilities and position themselves for new career opportunities,” said a statement from Igloo Product Corporation.
The impact isn’t just on businesses: “This program gave me the opportunity to make a living and eliminate any doubts I had about how I was going to pay my tuition. It was a win/win situation for me,” said apprentice John Soileau.
As more students face rising tuition costs and unclear outcomes from college, apprenticeship programs could serve as a vital bridge to economic mobility.
“The old-time skills of electrical workers simply are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of modern-day technology,” said Eddie Rodriguez of the IEC Apprentice School Texas Gulf Coast Chapter. “Apprenticeships are not just training—they’re future-proofing our workforce.”
With many apprentices staying at their companies for 6 to 10 years, or more, the long-term benefits and experience extend far beyond the classroom.
At Workforce Solutions, you can access highly skilled talent with customized training that meets your business needs.
“We guide them through the entire process and customize a program so they can build a homegrown talent pipeline and have people trained the way they want them to be,” shared Jimmy Madrigal, Lead Project Specialist, Workforce Solutions.
Explore registered apprenticeship opportunities and schedule an appointment to learn more about how you can leverage apprenticeships that benefit both employers and employees.
