Group Sponsors

Help Employers Source & Grow Talent with Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship is a proven benefit to employers, employees, and communities, which is why many organizations choose to become group sponsors (sometimes called intermediaries) for employers who choose not to sponsor their own program. Group sponsors work with employers, apprentices, and other stakeholders to register, oversee, and maintain apprenticeship programs. 

Group sponsors are often colleges, trade schools, or non-profit organizations that focus on helping people find sustainable employment. Larger employers and trade associations have also become group sponsors for smaller employers in their industry, recognizing that building a pool of talented and trained job candidates benefits the whole industry. 

AIR is the home of the Hire-Ready Network, a group of partners that serve as intermediaries to effectively bridge the gap between the hiring employer and the apprentice by providing expertise, capacity, and relationships that support formalizing tech job training. There are network members in 21 states, plus Washington, D.C., some with programs approved to operate nationally. 

AIR offers support and guidance to any organization interested in joining this growing network. Our partners have access to these resources: 

• Regular virtual workshops on topics that range from identifying funding opportunities for apprenticeship programs to business engagement and marketing; 
• Monthly virtual network events, featuring presentations on areas of interest or highlighting one of our partners; 
• AIR’s team of apprenticeship experts, ready to help you design, register, and stand up your program; 
• National Guideline Standards for five tech occupations developed through a partnership between AIR and CompTIA, all of which align with CompTIA’s globally recognized professional certifications; and 
• AIR’s broad network of employers interested in hiring apprentices through group sponsors.