Successful apprenticeship programs engage community partners with the shared mission to prepare diverse individuals to become highly qualified, well-trained workers ready to meet the community’s job demands. Community-based organizations, workforce development agencies, and industry organizations all play unique, yet eco-system roles in the design and implementation of trade and occupational apprenticeships.
Community-based Organizations
To reach a diverse population, our apprenticeship programs collaborate with community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve those populations in support. We work with CBOs that provide training on job and professional skills, life skills and independent living. Participants in such programs are candidates for apprenticeships. Here in San Francisco, there are many CBOs that focus on serving targeted populations. Our apprenticeship programs rely on CBO partners for outreach and pipeline development. With many, we collaborate to align CBO job skills training with equivalent pre-apprenticeship requirements.
Workforce Development Agencies
Local, state, and federal workforce development agencies are critical policy, strategy, and process consultants. Workforce Investment Boards such as the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development are long-time partners in the implementation of internship and apprenticeship programs. California’s Department of Apprenticeship Standards provides consultation to all apprenticeship programs to support development, implementation, and administration. Our workforce development partners are also collaborative partners for apprenticeship development funding programs and initiatives.
Industry Organizations
Industry organizations such as unions, professional 501c6 organizations, and community/academic engagement functions within businesses, are valuable advisers to and advocates of apprenticeship programs. We look to our industry partners to ensure programs meet standards, are current, and address employer and employee job expectations. When developing new apprenticeships, industry organizations play a significant role in creating new apprenticeships. Registered apprenticeships must have well-defined minimum skills and competencies requirements, detailed roles and responsibilities, and clearly described OJT to be approved by the California Department of Apprenticeship Standards and the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. Our industry partners provide us with the knowledge and experience crucial to apprenticeship development and sustainability.
For more information about Community Partnerships please contact the Apprenticeship office.