Brookings Institution Spotlights S.C. Apprenticeship Programs
April 17, 2015Apprenticeship Carolina provides businesses in South Carolina with unique access to all the information and technical assistance they need to create demand-driven registered apprenticeship programs. Considered one of the nation’s best apprenticeship programs, Apprenticeship Carolina, a division of the SC Technical College System, helps guide companies through the registered apprenticeship development process; from initial information to full recognition in the national Registered Apprenticeship System.
Earlier this week, Apprenticeship Carolina Director Brad Neese participated in an online Q&A with the team at the Brookings Institution to talk about the benefits of apprenticeship programs:
From the Brookings blog:
How does the apprenticeship program work? What are the respective roles for students, employers, and technical colleges?
Employers are the central focus of apprenticeship programs. They help to design a program based on their needs. Employers are also the sponsors of apprenticeship programs that are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Participating companies provide three core aspects of the program:
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A safe workplace for apprentices to engage in structured on-the-job training
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A qualified mentor to the apprentice
- Progressive wages to apprentices as they increase their education and become more productive
Technical colleges in South Carolina are the primary providers of job-related education. In addition to on-the-job training, apprentices must complete at least 144 hours of job-related education. Our technical colleges provide two pathways for job-related education: (1) a traditional associate’s degree or credit-bearing education program, or (2) a noncredit, customized continuing training program. The company works directly with the college to determine the education and training that best fits its needs.
Students are the third party involved. When companies are looking for talent, they often recruit directly from one (or more) of our colleges. Once students become apprentices, they are responsible for completing their prescribed education and exhibiting competency on the job. Any South Carolinian over the age of 16 is eligible to participate.
For more information on Apprenticeship Carolina, visit http://www.apprenticeshipcarolina.com/.