How Policymakers Can Scale Apprenticeship Degrees - Action Items for State and Federal Policymakers

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang

A policy agenda outlines how state and federal decision-makers can scale high-quality apprenticeship degree programs nationwide. It presents a consensus-driven definition of apprenticeship degrees, identifies funding and stakeholder incentives, and details regulatory adjustments for licensure alignment. The agenda also covers federal agency guidance, cost-offset funding for additional instruction, workforce intermediary investment, and leadership education to coordinate education and labor-market needs at scale.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Recommendations to Scale Apprenticeship Degrees

Establish a shared definition across practice, policy, and research

Prioritize funding incentives for stakeholders and program types

Update licensure regulations to accommodate apprenticeships

Provide federal guidance on allowable activities and funding streams

Create funding streams to offset additional instructional costs

Modernize the apprenticeship system and align higher education with labor needs

Invest in workforce intermediaries to support implementation

Educate governors and state leaders for cross-stakeholder coordination

How Policymakers Can Scale Apprenticeship Degrees Action Items for State and Federal Policymakers Deborah Kobes, John Marotta, and Julia Payne Despite the demonstrated benefits of apprenticeship degrees, only a handful of states have expanded these programs. Working together, policymakers and practitioners could catalyze the widespread adoption of apprenticeship degree programs so that more students, employers, and higher education institutions can reap the rewards of quality work-based learning. Here, we outline how state and federal policymakers can scale high-quality apprenticeship degrees across the country. We developed this agenda through extensive stakeholder consultation and refined it through a consensus-driven engagement process. 1. Establish a shared definition of apprenticeship degrees across practice, policy, and research. » We recommend the field adopt the following definition: » Apprenticeship degrees possess all the hallmarks of a Registered Apprenticeship: they are industry-led programs that offer paid work experience with wage progression, on-the-job learning, and supplemental education. Upon completion, apprentices earn both a nationally recognized journeyworker credential and an accredited associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. 2. Prioritize aspects of apprenticeship degree programs and types of stakeholder organizations that public funding should incentivize. » Apprenticeship degree programs require employers to make significant investments in wages, related technical instruction, and operational and administrative costs. Expanding the model will also require outreach, technical assistance, and systems infrastructure that lowers the cost burdens for apprentices. Policymakers should target public resources to the stakeholders that most depend on incentives for adoption—where the supports will make the most difference. 3. Change licensure regulations and requirements to accommodate apprenticeship. » Currently, there’s a lack of alignment between state licensing requirements and the apprenticeship model—particularly around paid, on-the-job experience. To promote apprenticeship degree growth, states can follow the lead of legislatures in Alabama, Washington, and Montana and establish Registered Apprenticeship programs as paths to licensure for certain occupations. 4. Provide guidance on how apprenticeship degrees advance program goals within the US Department of Education and other agencies, as well as which apprenticeship degree activities are allowable within those funding streams. » Currently, it’s difficult for higher education institutions to understand whether apprenticeship degrees fall within federal initiatives such as Perkins and Pell grants and the work–study program. Guidance on which apprenticeship degree activities are allowable under federal programs in the Departments of Transportation, Commerce, and Labor (beyond the Office of Apprenticeship) could also help encourage the adoption of apprenticeship degrees. 5. Establish public funding streams to offset additional instruction costs associated with apprenticeship degrees. » Apprenticeship degrees often entail higher instructional costs than a traditional apprenticeship program because of the added coursework required for degree completion. State and federal policymakers can help spur the model’s growth by offsetting these costs for employers and institutions. “Institutions…want to engage in this work, but they either don't have the expertise or they're actively fundraising to do it…If there was a predictable funding model that offsets some of that risk and gave them some capacity to grow their time and effort, they would move faster.” —Luke Rhine, Rodel Foundation 6. Consider policies to help modernize the apprenticeship system and better align higher education with the labor market. » Like the Registered Apprenticeship system overall, apprenticeship degrees could benefit from more modern, consistent,

FAQs

What definition does the agenda recommend for apprenticeship degrees?

It recommends an apprenticeship degree model with the hallmarks of a Registered Apprenticeship, including paid work experience with wage progression, on-the-job learning, and supplemental education, ending with a nationally recognized credential plus an accredited degree.

How should policymakers use public funding to encourage adoption?

They should target stakeholders most dependent on incentives, and offset costs tied to wages, technical instruction, operational burdens, outreach, technical assistance, and additional coursework for degree completion.

What regulatory changes are suggested to support apprenticeship degrees?

States should align licensing requirements with the apprenticeship model, including creating Registered Apprenticeship paths to licensure for certain occupations where alignment is currently lacking.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang