Apprenticeships Offer Colleges a Fast Track to Workforce
New federal guidance clarifies how registered apprenticeship programs can qualify for Workforce Pell Grants, potentially easing the approval process for
New federal guidance aims to help colleges use registered apprenticeship programs as a pathway to access Workforce Pell Grants. The U.S. Department of Labor's instructions could expand opportunities for Americans seeking short-term career training.
According to the guidance released last week, programs partnering with registered apprenticeships can automatically qualify as "high-skill, high-wage or in-demand" if part of the instruction comes from a college. Institutions would otherwise have to prove this status to state leaders. The policy allowing for Workforce Pell went into effect on July 1, but only five programs have been approved to date.
Leveraging the Apprenticeship System
Joe E. Ross, president of the apprenticeship-degree provider Reach University, said the new rules will help circumvent several main challenges colleges face. "I think what people are feeling right now is that Workforce Pell looks hard and complicated," Ross said. What the Department of Labor has done is created a way for it to be easier by leveraging the apprenticeship system as kind of a fast track for Workforce Pell.
The guidance provides specific flexibilities for apprenticeship-based programs compared to standard Workforce Pell programs. These differences are outlined in the table below.
| Program Aspect | Apprenticeship-Based Workforce Pell Programs | Non-Apprenticeship Workforce Pell Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Outsourced Instruction | Up to 49% to an outside entity (e.g., union, employer) | Maximum of 25% |
| Instructional Weeks | Can exceed 15 weeks if broken up by on-the-job learning | Must generally be 15 weeks or less |
Incentives for College Partnerships
The DOL encouraged registered apprenticeship providers to partner with colleges for training. Deborah Kobes, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Urban Institute, said this inclusion incentivizes more colleges to begin or expand apprenticeship offerings. Apprenticeships are in an interesting space because they're not a traditional higher ed program, so in that sense they align with the sort of workforce goals, Kobes said.
She noted that community college sponsorship can aggregate interest from local small businesses. Being a sponsor at the community college is a really great way to engage small and medium-sized businesses in apprenticeship, Kobes explained.
Meeting Core Qualifications
Despite the new pathway, registered apprenticeships must still meet all other federal qualifications for Workforce Pell approval. Mark D’Amico, a professor of higher education at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, highlighted these requirements. Programs must offer academic credit and meet certain thresholds for completion rates and job-placement rates.
The Workforce Pell-approved program is still through a Title IV-eligible institution, D'Amico said, referring to the section of federal law authorizing student aid. He added that apprentices would receive higher education through the institution with all associated protections.
While the guidance is new, Ross from Reach University expects the clarity it provides will lead to an increase in institutions applying for Workforce Pell approval. The slow rollout of the program has been attributed to strict eligibility criteria and the role of state leaders in determining qualifying programs.
