Apprenticeship Programs Create a Pipeline for Success
by Aaron London
With a history stretching back to Medieval Europe when craft guilds and town governments employed young people as inexpensive labor in exchange for food , lodging and training , apprenticeships may seem old-fashioned . But for many local companies , they are the future of workforce training .
“ Apprenticeships are extremely important ,” said Robin King , president and CEO at CareerSource Flagler / Volusia . “ There is not an occupation you can think of that can ’ t benefit from apprenticeships .”
According to Apprentice Florida , a partnership between CareerSource Florida , the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity , apprenticeships are “ a proven solution for businesses to recruit , train and retain highly skilled workers ” where job seekers earn money while working toward a career and avoiding student loan debt .
More than 150,000 businesses across the country have used apprenticeship programs , including more than 4,500 in Florida , according to Apprentice Florida . Between 2014 and 2018 , the
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