21st-Century Apprenticeship

Book excerpt: Illustrates how a changing U.S. economy demands a revival of employer-based workforce training and suggests a new model of apprenticeship founded on the best of practices past and present, overseas and at home. Registered apprenticeship provides opportunities to "learn and earn." Research data indicates that individuals who graduate with an apprenticeship certificate have higher starting salaries than those with only a two-year degree. This book examines the rebirth of an age-old concept in the 21st century—apprenticeship. Serving as a call to action with a positive message for parents, entrepreneurs, educators, legislators, and political leaders, the book analyzes the condition of the U.S. and world economies from an employment and occupational perspective and describes how apprenticeship training can significantly bolster the economic recovery. Author Jeffrey A. Cantor, PhD, explains how modern-day apprenticeships can serve business owners in developing workers, parents in guiding their children into productive careers and professions, community leaders in instituting workforce development policies that support both entrepreneurs and citizens, and college educators in working more effectively with business and industry within our communities. Readers will learn how apprenticeship can provide young people with invaluable opportunities to train for desirable, high-tech, and high-wage jobs, without their having to "give up" on a college education—it is possible to have both.