Clark State College’s board of trustees is deeply committed to its students’ success as they become and serve as an integral part of the workforce and community. The board is kept up to date on initiatives that play an essential role in the college’s mission, including apprenticeship for students and communities’ economic prosperity. The Clark State board is laser-focused on student success and has fostered a culture of data-informed decisions when evaluating college programs
The information shared with the board of trustees includes a definition of the hybrid apprenticeship model, created by ApprenticeOhio, and an explanation of the college’s partners as well as their responsibilities within that model. The college has clarified to the board that this new hybrid model is very different from more familiar apprenticeships, particularly those in trades such as electrical and plumbing. The ApprenticeOhio model is skills-based and completely customizable; apprenticeships can be as short as one year or can take as long as needed, but that decision is dictated by industry’s needs and the employer. Another advantage that the board should know is that the college has removed the burden of sponsorship—and its attendant paperwork—from the employer. In fact, the college has either taken over the burden of sponsorship, or we partner with our workforce board to assist, and the workforce board plays the sponsor role. We have also partnered with our workforce board to streamline available state funding, such as WIOA and Incumbent Worker Training/On the Job Training funds. We are also leveraging Ohio’s TechEd funding, and any other funding source, to grow these programs. The Board is therefore very aware of funding sources available and our promotion of such to our business partners. The board also is conversant in the hybrid model’s customization aspect, as mentioned above, as well as pathway opportunities, innovation, and the importance of the “learn and earn” model for student success. The customizable aspect of our apprenticeship programs ensures each apprenticeship programs relevance to the businesses and community.
Clark State has pursued several innovative apprenticeship opportunities, all of which have been presented to the board and vetted through executive leadership. This includes work with the AACC ECCA grant, focusing on more non-traditional apprenticeship pathways and services, as well as partnering with a local manufacturing association to build industry recognized credentials into apprenticeship pathways. Clark State was also awarded a grant to create and implement the first pathway in Ohio for Peer Recovery Support Specialists (which pathways into Licensed Social Work and other opportunities), including apprenticeship pathways. Our board knows that the ”learn and earn” model supported by apprenticeships is both a win for employers by developing the much needed workforce pipeline, as well as for the students who earn a steady paycheck from their first day of work in addition to a nationally- recognized portable and stackable credential from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Important data points shared with the board have included that, on average, 91% of apprentices are retained in their employment, which greatly reduces employee turnover. Also, apprentices starting wages average around $15/hour. At each pre-determined phase, a progressive increase in wages is realized, making apprenticeships an easy decision for the college to pursue. We have presented on apprenticeships to the board in several capacities, including work sessions, the president’s report, and curriculum approvals, grant opportunities, and applications.
Overall, these public-private partnerships create a customized solution that reflects the employer’s needs and enhance the local community by creating a highly trained workforce, which in turn boosts community success and aligns with the priorities of the board.