Apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and work-based learning are proven models for supporting economic advancement for workers, but many employers struggle to implement high-quality programs. And despite significant growth in recent years, equity gaps persist.
Jobs for the Future’s Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning is a leader in expanding these proven models to new industries and professions. By supporting system and program designs, we connect a diverse population of youth and adults to quality jobs and enable businesses to develop workers with the skills they need to grow.
We reach new industries and more workers facing barriers to advancement by designing and launching high-quality apprenticeship and work-based learning programs.
We build apprenticeship systems and program delivery models that work for everyone, advocate for fair policies, and equip programs with essential design resources.
By partnering with a diverse network of providers, we create innovative models to engage students, youth not attending school, and underemployed young adults.
JFF unveils our updated work-based learning framework, an actionable tool to help design, develop, implement, and improve work-based learning strategies—now with new quality indicators and real-world examples.
JFF’s National Apprentice Fund is a $2 million initiative to provide financial assistance directly to apprentices to increase program completion rates.
In this brief, JFF offers a comprehensive set of federal policy recommendations that will modernize and scale apprenticeships, meeting the demands of today’s economy.
JFF partnered with John Deere to build and deliver a national apprenticeship program for agriculture and equipment technicians and heavy construction equipment mechanics.
Work-based learning helps alleviate a common issue for jobseekers: meeting a "relevant work experience" prerequisite that is hard to gain outside of the workplace.
Vinz Koller is vice president of the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning at JFF. He champions initiatives that emphasize how states can leverage apprenticeships to enhance economic growth and expand accessible career pathways. His…
Myriam Sullivan is a senior director in the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning at JFF. She works to advance career pathways for populations who are underrepresented in high-demand sectors of the economy. Her work…
Vanessa Bennett is a director at the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning at JFF. She works to drive equity, inclusion, and access to the workforce for workers and learners from underrepresented populations through policy and…
Krysti Specht is a director in the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning at JFF, supporting the national expansion of innovative practices that connect education and employment. Her skills and areas of expertise include: Work-based…
John Ladd is a senior advisor in the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning at JFF. He focuses on system building efforts that better align workforce and education at the local, state, regional and national…
