The concept of apprenticeships, how they are structured, and
how apprenticeships have been integrated into the “workable education model” in
Florida has been an ongoing discussion in past editions of the FLATE Focus. In
the June 2013
edition of the FLATE Focus, Executive Director of FLATE, Dr. Marilyn
Barger took an initial look at the terms of engagement for apprenticeship
programs from a broader perspective. A year later, Dr. Barger discussed the role of
apprenticeships in addressing the workforce skills gap. Indeed this is a
relevant topic in terms of the workforce needs and technician education and
training in Florida, and we are revisiting this topic this month as we assess
current apprentice programs across the sunshine state.
The primary purpose
of apprenticeships is to enable employers to develop and apply industry
recognized standards to training programs. The intention is to increase
productivity, improve the quality of the workforce, retain tribal knowledge and to
reduce turnover. Apprentice programs are administered either by the Office of
Apprenticeships (OA) or by the SAA which is the State Apprenticeship Agency.
OA's are state-led programs run and managed by the United States Department of
Labor (US DOL). The SAA structure that is implemented in Florida, holds
responsibility and accountability for apprenticeships at the state level and is
recognized by the US DOL to register and oversee apprenticeship programs and
agreements for federal purposes.
There are five essential components of registered
apprenticeships. They include a strong business involvement; structured
on-the-job training; related/corresponding instruction; rewards for skill gains, and a national
occupational credential that guarantees apprentices are 100% qualified for the
job. Trade associations, local workforce boards, single employers, educational
institutions, community, or faith-based organizations are some of the entities
that are approved to sponsor an apprentice.
The length of apprenticeships varies from one to five years
depending on the occupation training requirements. Time-Based
apprenticeships complete a required number of hours in “On-The-Job”
training. Competency-based apprenticeships progress at their own pace
whereby apprentices demonstrate competency in skills and knowledge through
proficiency test and applied practice validated by a supervisor, mentor, or journey
worker. Hybrid apprenticeships use the minimum and maximum range of hours
and require a successful demonstration of identified measured competencies. There
is also the Career Lattice model that uses an interim credential to
validate progression through a registered apprenticeship program within
competency, or hybrid based models ONLY.
Between January 1 and December 31, 2018, there are over 12,000
apprentices in Florida enrolled in 213 active programs. Of the 12,000
apprentices, approximately 1,400 completed their programs during this time span.
In 2018 there were over 5,000 new apprentices with a total of 26 new registered
apprenticeship programs and three new pre-apprenticeship programs registered in
Florida. According to FLDOE the top two apprenticeship programs at the
secondary level and at Florida colleges is the Electrician and the Air
Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Technology programs. Other popular programs
include Plumbing Technology, Carpentry, Early Childhood Education Fire
Fighter/Fire Sprinkler System Technology and Sheet Metal Fabrication
Technology. For the full list of apprenticeships in Florida, visit www.FLDOE.org.
In terms of manufacturing apprenticeships, there are nearly 200 students enrolled in various apprenticeship programs
across Florida, most of which are related to machining. Tampa Bay Machining in Clearwater, FL, offers the top number of different apprenticeship programs across the state and has a total of 18 students enrolled in their 10 programs. Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) has the highest number of apprentices (59) currently enrolled in any manufacturing-related program (59 in their Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship). Other
organizations offering apprenticeships supporting manufacturing include AmSkills in New Port
Richey, South Florida Manufacturers Association in Fort Lauderdale, Treasure
Coast Manufacturers Association in Port St. Lucie, Miami Dade College in Miami,
CareerSource Suncoast in East Bradenton, St. Petersburg College in St.
Petersburg, Baker-Hughes in Jacksonville, Arthrex Manufacturing in Ave Maria
etc. See the full list of manufacturing apprenticeships programs
across Florida and their enrollment.
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