By: Sedrick Brown
As rural economies struggle to attain post-pandemic growth, issues of skilled labor (specifically concerning employment and wages in good jobs) have become extremely prominent. At the same time, the nation has also seen a pique in the interest of apprenticeships, which present sustainable and diverse pathways to employment in an equitable manner. RAPs (registered apprenticeships) are a critical part of a larger solution to rural poverty.
The Challenge
The biggest challenge rural communities face when it comes to equity is a lack of opportunity. Compared to urban areas, rural job seekers are largely limited because of the absence of quality and affordable education and training. As such, individuals are hard-pressed to find pathways to career advancement and longevity. Critical infrastructure, such as readily available educational institutions, broadband access, and reliable transportation is often severely limited in rural areas which, in turn, has drastic effects on the capabilities and capacity of employees in these regions.
On the flipside, employers looking for candidates with specific skillsets and technical knowledge struggle to do so. On a larger scale, companies and institutions are beginning to place more value onto non-traditional skillsets gained through non-traditional secondary education. Of course, skill shortages are not unique to rural communities, however rural communities are certainly less equipped to meet the need for skilled labor than urban or suburban regions. This is where RAPs enter the picture.
The Solution
Registered Apprenticeships provide a one-on-one customized education and training solutions for individuals and employers that are particularly impactful in rural areas. Registered apprenticeships, with the help of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other funding and administrative support, can uplift individuals and employers in rural communities. For youth, the benefits of apprenticeships are immense, it gives individuals a chance to get hands on experience in the workplace and earn income early on. More importantly, they help rural economies retain talent by offering their workforce earlier opportunities to gain a stable income compared to other costlier pathways. According to Mathematica, apprentices experienced gains in annual earnings of around $6,595 six years post-enrollment, $5,839 nine years post-enrollment, and nearly $250,000 in lifetime income. However, the most rewarding aspect of apprenticeships is knowledge and experience. Participants complete their Registered Apprenticeship programs as competitive workers, properly equipped to provide technical solutions to technical problems.
Steps for Success
Despite the promising nature of apprenticeships, there are three main areas for improvement:
- Continuing to Leverage Federal Funding: WIOA funding and support from the Department of Labor at large should be utilized! These funding streams can provide rural apprenticeship programs with the opportunity to expand their capabilities through subsidizing on-the-job learning, related technical instruction, and supportive services. They also help RAPs remain competitive against the traditional 4-year college track.
- Improving infrastructure: Rural communities struggle with transportation access as well as broadband access; these two factors are extremely important determinants of success for workers. Therefore, policymakers and employers should seek to incorporate technical solutions to these obstacles in their administration of Registered Apprenticeships.
- Increasing Administrative Support: Employers and apprenticeship sponsors should seek to establish a network of administrative staff to serve as a liaison between schools, business, and apprentices themselves. This gives all parties the capacity to collaborate more effectively and support each other more meaningfully.
Conclusion
In the end, the most important facet of equity is opportunity. Rural communities have and continue to struggle to provide a sustainable source of opportunity for their citizens. With the aid of state, federal, and local governments, registered apprenticeships shine through as a beaming opportunity for growth and progression in rural communities. As such, they are a critical part of a larger solution to the inequities that these regions face, and Registered Apprenticeships have the potential to have a greater positive impact in rural areas.