The U.S. government has made a historic $244 million investment in expanding registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs) in industries like construction to address the workforce shortage. Despite this, a new report by Rand Corp. reveals that RAPs won’t meet the full demand for construction workers. The construction industry needs about half a million workers, and the supply of workers is lagging behind, with an emphasis on attracting high school graduates for the earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship model.
The report highlights that around 60% of RAP enrollees complete their programs, which is consistent with other forms of postsecondary education. However, many trainees don’t finish, despite earning money while working toward certification. There is also a lack of data on whether apprentices remain in the industry after completion, making it difficult to measure the effectiveness of these programs.
In 2024, the report estimates that immigration, community and technical colleges, and RAPs might each contribute around 85,000, 28,000, and 33,500 new workers, respectively. This still falls short of the industry’s needs. The largest untapped source of potential workers is high school graduates, who can quickly enter the workforce through apprenticeships.
While the number of RAPs has increased by nearly 60% from 2014 to 2023, the programs are still small, with 33% having just one active apprentice. These programs are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and must meet specific quality standards. However, the Department of Labor recently withdrew a proposed rule aimed at improving the RAP program, particularly for historically underrepresented groups.
The report calls for broader outreach, better understanding of why apprentices drop out, and a system-wide approach to solving the workforce issue. John Mielke from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) emphasized the need for more pathways to the trades and noted that while RAPs are vital, they won’t be sufficient alone. Mielke suggested that additional pathways, such as just-in-time task training and craft development programs, could help meet the industry’s growing workforce demands.
A key takeaway from the report is the need for more research into why apprenticeship programs succeed or fail to help refine workforce development strategies.
