How Industry Intermediaries Strengthen Apprenticeship Systems
Source & Grow Talent: Apprenticeships for Tech is AIR's industry intermediary project. Apprenticeship industry intermediaries work with businesses, trade groups, business associations, workforce, and education partners to increase awareness and adoption of apprenticeship programs in targeted industry sectors. AIR’s commitment to integrating research, evaluation, and technical assistance to inform and advance national efforts to grow quality apprenticeships aligns with this mission.
As an apprenticeship industry intermediary, AIR harnesses the opportunity to collaborate directly with a diverse array of businesses, non-profits, and educational providers throughout the U.S. This collaboration, the Source & Grow Talent Network, now exceeds over 160 organizations working to expedite the adoption and implementation of the apprenticeship model, thereby creating new apprenticeship opportunities for individuals nationwide.
Since 2020, AIR has been contracted by the U.S. Department of Labor as an industry intermediary to drive the creation of new apprenticeship programs with the goal to increase, deepen, and strengthen talent pools in America. Focusing on high-demand entry-level occupations across all industries, AIR has a partner network that spans over 30 states and National Program Sponsors that can support apprenticeships in all 50 states.
The Apprenticeships for Tech website provides details on our growing number of intermediary partners in the network that are ready to help businesses source talent. It also houses a wealth of resources and success stories on the impact that apprenticeship is making on employers and individuals.
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For this project, AIR’s team of business engagement, apprenticeship, and technical assistance experts bring a deep knowledge of the apprenticeship ecosystem, at both state and federal levels. This team accelerates the advancement of apprenticeships by employing strategic planning, fostering business engagement and partner outreach, and providing no-cost expert technical assistance essential to the design, registration, and successful launch of apprenticeships. AIR believes that the key to scaling registered apprenticeships in America is through intermediary sponsors, also referred to as a group or multi-employer sponsors.
To maximize the impact of this strategy, AIR's intermediary project is dedicated to strengthening organizations that serve as intermediary sponsors. We provide expert guidance to help them enhance their programs, implement effective sustainability strategies, and expand their impact. While AIR does not directly sponsor apprenticeship programs, we act as a strategic partner to intermediary sponsors, focusing our expertise entirely on enabling our network of apprenticeship programs to grow, succeed, and sustain long-term results.
To support state-level apprenticeship expansion strategies and goals, AIR is partnering with states to employ a collaborative technical assistance model to accelerate and broaden the trajectory of registered apprenticeships through intermediary sponsors. Our initiative entails partnering with states to deliver a comprehensive suite of workshops and tools, helping states provide no-cost technical assistance to sponsors. This support is specifically designed to empower potential intermediary sponsors in exploring, considering, creating, and sustaining apprenticeship programs.
This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
