Apprenticeships
When the risk-mitigation firm Aon started a Philadelphia apprenticeship program in 2021, it was “the worst time, in the middle of a pandemic,” managing partner Mark Armstrong said. Across industries, quit rates were high and hiring was a challenge.
But Aon’s first apprentice group stuck with their program and graduated in August 2023, earning full-time jobs at the company. “They not only finished their coursework at school, but showed up with us for mentoring and training,” Armstrong said, pointing to high retention levels associated with this method of recruiting.
Other companies have followed in Aon’s footsteps – Aon has brought on 30 Philadelphia apprentices since 2021 when it cofounded the Philadelphia Apprentice Network, which has onboarded more than 80 trainees. It’s part of a budding trend in the region and nationally, with more industries embracing the ‘learn-and-earn’ model, combining business and education.
A longtime norm in the construction trades, apprenticeships allow new hires to get tailored education with pay, with the guarantee of employment once they’re finished training.
And, for some colleges, apprenticeship programs offer the chance to recruit students who are hesitant to take on school coursework without knowing if they’ll get a return on their school tuition investment.
“So many students go to a four-year college and end up working at Starbucks,” said Larry Byron, director of workforce development for IT at Montgomery County Community College (MCCC). MCCC is looking for employers to join its new apprenticeship program, which is geared toward new high school graduates as well as older candidates who are looking to make a career change.
“We’re helping to eliminate student debt by the student being paid up front,” Byron said.
APPRENTICESHIPS BY INDUSTRY IN PENNSYLVANIA (March 2024)
Construction 10,248
Public administration 2,477
Manufacturing 1,485
Health care / social assistance 527
Educational services 364
Other services 313
Transportation and warehousing 167
Administration and support/ waste management services 136
ONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
MCCC’s new apprenticeship program for information technology launched in January 2024. The 18-month program begins with 94 hours of training over 90 days, including workplace safety and an industry-standard IT certification.
Trainees get paid while they attend class, and their instruction is paid for by the employer as well. The starting wage is around $18 per hour.
By front-loading the necessary training before moving on to more college coursework and on-the-job mentorship, the program gives both employer and trainee an opportunity to make sure the IT career path is a good fit for both.
APPRENTICESHIPS AND DIVERSITY
At Aon, apprenticeships started with roles in IT and human resources. Leaders have been considering how the apprenticeship model might work for ‘client-facing’ jobs as well.
The apprentice salaries start at $44,000 annually with twice-a-year merit increases. Aon also pays for apprentices’ tuition, books, and health care.
Aon’s Armstrong said employers should see apprenticeships as a way to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. “Talent is evenly distributed throughout the community, but opportunities are not,” he said.
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This careers commentary was based on a news article written by Lizzy McLellan Ravitch, staff writer with the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper, which published the article on March 27, 2024.
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For the difference between apprentices and interns / externs, see two different career stories: (1) COMMUNICATIONS – SHORT STORIES (2) MEDICINE – ENDODONTIST
