Overview

Announced in November 2024, Scaling Apprenticeship at Community Colleges is a national initiative led by the Association of Community College Trustees to help community colleges build the institutional capacity to develop, sponsor, and sustain Registered Apprenticeship programs, particularly in occupations that have not traditionally used apprenticeship.

The four-year project works with 20 community colleges in two cohorts of 10 institutions. Participating colleges receive training, planning tools, technical assistance, peer-learning opportunities, and in-person convenings designed to help them develop the systems needed to operate Registered Apprenticeship programs. Employer engagement and development of durable employer partnerships are central components of the work.

The first cohort launched in 2025. The second cohort launched in June 2026. Participating colleges are expected to develop sustainable Registered Apprenticeship programs in nontraditional occupations, with colleges serving as apprenticeship program sponsors rather than solely providing classroom or related technical instruction.

The initiative places particular emphasis on expanding apprenticeship beyond traditional construction occupations into areas such as healthcare, information technology, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and business services.

Background

Community colleges have long participated in apprenticeships by providing related technical instruction, but fewer have assumed responsibility for sponsoring and managing the full Registered Apprenticeship program. Research by New America identified institutional-capacity and knowledge barriers that can make it difficult for community colleges to assume the sponsorship role. This project was developed to help colleges build internal processes for apprenticeship administration, employer engagement, program design, standards development, and long-term sustainability.

Partners

• The Association of Community College Trustees Center for Policy and Practice leads the initiative in partnership with New America and Job Forward.
• The Institute for American Apprenticeships contributes expertise to development of tools and resources and provides technical assistance to participating colleges.

Funder

• Supported by a $2 million (4-year) grant from Ascendium Education Group
• 20 participating colleges receive financial support for project participation (e.g., colleges selected for the second cohort receive a $15,000 stipend)

Resources

Increasing Capacity for Apprenticeship Programs at Community Colleges — Association of Community College Trustees

Scaling Apprenticeship at Community Colleges — Cohort Information

Association of Community College Trustees and New America Partner to Advance Registered Apprenticeships at 20 Community Colleges