Narrative: b. 2.

Registered apprenticeship is an important component of Washington’s workforce training system. As supported by state core indicator Results for 2022, 93% of those who complete a registered apprenticeship are employed 4^th quarter after completion with average annual earnings of $94,900. Data shows even those who do not complete the program enjoy 81% employment rate and $70,800 in earnings 4^th quarter after participation.  This translates to $4.7 Billion economic return over 10 years, due to increased employment, earnings, and reduced government assistance, for a $7.80 to $1 net return on investment to taxpayers.

A key role of workforce system partners is their relationship with registered apprenticeship and how they align across workforce development programs. It is the core business of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC) and state Department of Labor and Industries’ State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) to bolster the apprenticeship training system by developing and monitoring registered apprenticeship programs and promoting apprenticeship as a skill development system for employers as well as a post-secondary training option for workers. Accordingly, SAA partners with public community and technical colleges, WorkSource offices, and Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) to promote registered apprenticeship. WSATC is expanding apprenticeship training opportunities and recruitment of employers who hire apprentices for traditional and non-traditional programs. The Governor and Legislature annually seek General-Fund state appropriations to support and expand registered apprenticeship opportunities.

Locally, part of the state strategy to continue to better coordinate and align apprenticeship with the WorkSource (one-stop) system is to take full advantage of the workforce-affiliated apprenticeship member requirement on LWDBs under WIOA.  LWDBs use the increased profile to ensure there is a voice for apprenticeship as a work-based learning opportunity for customers, both in traditional and non-traditional occupations.

Additionally, the WorkSource System is represented on the Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council (WSATC) through non-voting seats held by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (state workforce development board), Employment Security Department (state administrative entity for WIOA Title I), and the State Board for Community and Technical Education (state administrative entity for WIOA Title II). Each quarter, the three state agencies report to WSATC on local apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship activity lead or supported by Washington’s WorkSource (one-stop) system. Concurrently, the three state agencies hear about state policy, research, and activities that are communicated to local WorkSource operators and service providers across the state. For more information on apprenticeship in Washington, including the WSATC, see the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries’ apprenticeship site.

Of note, two Washington applicants were among those recently awarded American Apprenticeship Grants by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries received $5.6 million to partner with Washington Education Association (WEA), the Office of the Superintendent of Instruction to establish a Certified Teacher Apprenticeship program and expand, diversify, and provide more access to registered apprenticeships in Washington State. Washington State Employment Security Department received $5.6 million to partner with Career Connect Washington to expand registered apprenticeship and recognized pre-apprenticeship programs in these high-demand industries: advanced manufacturing and aerospace, agriculture, clean technology and energy, construction, education, finance, healthcare, information technology and cybersecurity, life sciences, and maritime.  Labor and Industries and the WSATC also partners with ESD and CCW in implementing the $23.5 million Washington Jobs Initiative - Good Jobs Challenge project (WJI).  The WJI, with a focus on equity, expands career opportunities including apprenticeships for more citizens to secure good-paying- jobs while producing Washington State's skilled workforce.