Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) offers several apprenticeship programs, including youth pre-apprenticeship pathway programs. We are all familiar with machining, welding, industrial maintenance, and construction registered apprenticeships as they have been offered for many years. Recently, a trend of registered apprenticeship pathways has expanded on a national level to include non-traditional industries such as logistics, health care and information technology. As the number of registered apprentices continue to grow, the tracking requirements have become more important.
The critical component of managing multiple registered apprenticeship programs include recognizing the reporting responsibilities. Maintaining accurate data for individual registered apprentices and cohorts is as important to the program’s success as the related technical training (RTI). As a state certified registered apprenticeship sponsor, Tri-C understands each stakeholder has individual interests and goals that must be monitored and tracked to ensure progress. In larger programs it is even more critical to provide access to information so students and employers can review courses, assess status, and map plans for completion.
Tri-C registered apprenticeships are a collaboration among the employer, student and college/RTI provider, so all partners must assume some responsibility for their own success. The college seeks to increase awareness about the benefits of registered apprenticeships to both the individual students as well as employers and introduce the process and the pathways to accomplish the goals.
In addition, during these uncertain times the health and welfare of our community is extremely important. The college must practice state the mandated ordinances of social distancing as much as possible.
Develop an App
To streamline the reporting practices from the registered apprenticeship student, Tri-C is in the early stages of developing a digital Tri-C Apprenticeship App. Since most students have smart phones and experience with apps, the college decided to create an app for the different stakeholders and pilot it during the 2020-21 academic year. Due to Covid-19, the development was delayed until Spring 2021.
Following is a list of the projected target audience and the functions related to each group. Links to each group will be available on the Tri-C apprenticeship webpage.
Target Audience Functions
| Current students enrolled in the Tri-C apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
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| Prospective students seeking to enroll in apprenticeship programs |
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| Employers
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| College Faculty & Staff |
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The app will allow each student to proactively track and monitor his/her progress and access support services and other assistance as needed. College staff will collect data on registered apprentices and monitor progress. Employers will have limited access to employee/student progress and will be able to see if student is not up to date on courses. Prospective students will be able to log in and explore the various registered apprenticeship programs available and jobs posted by employers.