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Considerations for Apprenticeship Occupational Suitability and Reciprocity: Insights from Seven State Apprenticeship Agencies

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Considerations for Apprenticeship Occupational Suitability and Reciprocity: Insights from Seven State Apprenticeship Agencies
Language: English
Authors: Karen Gardiner, Stephanie Petrov, Urban Institute
Source: Urban Institute. 2025.
Availability: Urban Institute. 2100 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037. Tel: 202-261-5687; Fax: 202-467-5775; Web site: http://www.urban.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: US Department of Labor (DOL)
Document Type: Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Apprenticeships, State Programs, Skilled Occupations, Federal Regulation, Program Development
Geographic Terms: Oregon, California, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arizona, Colorado
Abstract: For more than a decade, the US Department of Labor (DOL) has prioritized apprenticeship expansion by promoting apprenticeship in nontraditional occupations (i.e., outside the construction sector) and by encouraging apprenticeship as a training option to increase the number of apprentices. Two ways to expand apprenticeships are to approve new occupations for apprenticeships and to recognize apprenticeship programs from other states (i.e., reciprocity). The DOL Office of Apprenticeship (OA) and OA-recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAAs) determine occupational suitability for an apprenticeship. This brief describes how purposively selected SAA states determine whether an occupation is suitable for a state-only apprenticeship program and the agencies' rationale for approving state-only occupations. It also explores how these states determine whether to grant reciprocity for programs registered by OA or another SAA. It concludes with implications for apprenticeship expansion and areas for future research.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: ED673457
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:For more than a decade, the US Department of Labor (DOL) has prioritized apprenticeship expansion by promoting apprenticeship in nontraditional occupations (i.e., outside the construction sector) and by encouraging apprenticeship as a training option to increase the number of apprentices. Two ways to expand apprenticeships are to approve new occupations for apprenticeships and to recognize apprenticeship programs from other states (i.e., reciprocity). The DOL Office of Apprenticeship (OA) and OA-recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAAs) determine occupational suitability for an apprenticeship. This brief describes how purposively selected SAA states determine whether an occupation is suitable for a state-only apprenticeship program and the agencies' rationale for approving state-only occupations. It also explores how these states determine whether to grant reciprocity for programs registered by OA or another SAA. It concludes with implications for apprenticeship expansion and areas for future research.