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Public Sector Leaders

Apprenticeship is Economic Mobility

CareerWise has been a national leader in implementing youth apprenticeship policy across the country, and we’re ready to help you lead the way in your state.

Apprenticeship is Economic Mobility

We Know How to Put Apprenticeship Policy Into Practice

We’ve worked with states at every stage–from early exploration to full-scale implementation–and we’ve built a proven playbook of the best practices that translate policy into real, sustainable programs.

Whether you’re looking to remove barriers, create ecosystems that empower, or align workforce and education systems, we bring the experience and expertise to help you get it done, just like we have before.

Build Your Local Economy. Invest in Young Talent and Small Business

Economic Growth Starts Here

Youth apprenticeship isn’t just a workforce strategy–it’s an economic development strategy.
By investing in apprenticeship infrastructure, you’re:

Building a skilled local workforce that meets the needs of your regional economy

Strengthening small and medium-sized businesses by giving them access to talent pipelines traditionally only available to large employers

Reducing unemployment and underemployment among young people by creating paid pathways to family-sustaining careers

Increasing tax revenue as apprentices earn higher wages and stay in the community longer

It’s Not No College or All College. It’s More Paths to Careers

For too long, the narrative has been binary: College or nothing. But young people need more than one path to success, and public leaders have the power to create those paths. Youth apprenticeship doesn’t replace college; it expands options. Apprentices can pursue postsecondary education, enter the workforce directly, or do both. The key is choice. After all, apprenticeship doesn’t close doors. It opens them.

What the data shows:

61%

of apprentices say the program helped them decide what to study in college

65%

of apprentices say the program helped them decide whether to attend college

73%

of apprentices say the program helped them decide what career to pursue

73%

of alumni report their postsecondary program is related to their apprenticeship

Leading Best Policy Practices

CareerWise works with states to advance policies that create the conditions for apprenticeship to scale. We’ve seen what works–and what doesn’t. Our policy expertise is grounded in years of direct implementation experience, meaning we don’t just advocate for change: We help you execute it.

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Key Policy Initiatives We Support:

Sustainable Funding: Funding mechanisms that sustain apprenticeship programs beyond pilot phases

Credentialing: Credential recognition that ensures apprentices receive industry-valued credentials and academic credit

Career Accelerators: Programming extends the full range from early career exposure to internships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships

Flexible Scheduling: Flexible scheduling that allows students to participate in apprenticeships during the school day

Employer Incentives: Employer incentives that reduce barriers for businesses to hire and train apprentices

Data Systems: Data systems that track outcomes and demonstrate impact to stakeholders

State Coalition Work

The impact we’re making is ongoing and immense. Learn more about our state mobilization work here:

Future Ready Apprenticeship Center

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Education and Apprenticeship Accelerator

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US CEMETS

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