Apprenticeship in Global, National and Local Contexts Can INAP Fill the Gaps?

1. Apprenticeship in Global, National and Local Contexts Can INAP Fill the Gaps? Robert I. LermanUrban Institute and American University Johannesburg, 23 April 2013

2. Why Rising Interest in Apprenticeship? • Youth unemployment jumps to stunning levels in many countries, 25% in France, 35% in Italy, 54-55% in Spain • Certain skills in short supply; in US, employers complain of a skills gap • Rising college wage premium, weak wage growth for middle skill workers

3. College for all-disappointing • With rising premium for skill, why not expand college levels • In fact, college grad levels double or triple in France, Spain and the UK • US efforts expand college enrollment but graduation rates hardly move • Meanwhile, inadequate attention to non-BA alternatives

4. Other Problems with CFA • Sharp increases in costs lead to high debt loads, rising tuition, or drain on budgets • Weak rates of matching of academic preparation with careers • Large gender gaps, with men falling behind in the US and other countries

5. Why Persist in This Policy? • Misunderstanding of the concept of skill in the US and perhaps elsewhere • Skill measures in many places almost entirely based on academic outcomes • Misplaced notion of equality • Sameness is not equality

6. Apprenticeship attracts attention • International organizations—the OECD, ILO, IMF, and G20—all look to expand apprenticeship—as a way of dealing with high youth unemployment • Commentators notice positive outcomes in apprenticeship countries—not only with youth unemployment but retaining high share of jobs in manufacturing

7. Is Apprenticeship Going Global? • Skeptics raise two questions • Is apprenticeship really the right direction? • Is apprenticeship feasible in many countries? • Look beyond academic-vocational debate • All agree academic skills necessary • But questions arise about appropriate mix of academic and vocational subjects, the mix of school and workplace learning, the role of personal and social skills required

8. Robust Apprenticeship Systems Make Sense • Positive impact on demand for and on supply of valuable skills and matching • Employability skills rise; natural mentors • Enhances conceptual as well as hands-on skills with using what you learn • In-depth skills can contribute to innovation • Increases pride, occupational identity

9. Answering Two Critiques • Why should employers invest? • If they do, won’t the skills be too specific and lead to immobility in the future? • Good answers to both, need more • Employers recoup investments quickly • Skills acquired in apprenticeship used over career; some go to adjacent occupations

10. Apprenticeship Going Global? • Are some countries too bound by tradition to adopt apprenticeship widely? • Or, in a globalized world, why do countries not adopt cost-effective apprenticeships? • What are the tradeoffs with national and international standards? • Is the information base sufficient?

11. Apprenticeship is Expanding • Dramatic increases in Australia, England and renewed international effort • So far US is a laggard but reasons to believe it can overcome barriers • Information is insufficient to turn many to apprenticeship, especially when there are competing institutions, like 2-year colleges

12. Tradeoffs with Occupational Standards • Efforts to develop common standards • Ideally, can lead to a broader array of international communities of practice • But, is there a consensus on the nature of these standards? Can we insure rigidities do not emerge? Disseminate standards to allow learning, but don’t limit innovation

13. Framing Questions • Use expansive or open frameworks to enhance learning but are firms using restrictive ones misguided? • Can we show benefits of open frameworks? • What number of occupations? Modest number yields breadth and adaptability but employers may be more likely to offer apprenticeships that best fit their needs

14. How Can INAP Fill the Gaps? • Need collaboration to build a strong conceptual foundation for occupations • Building an INAP consensus can help • Create data base of current standards used across countries • Ease access to descriptive studies of high quality apprenticeships across fields

15. American Institute • Have recently incorporated the American Institute for Innovative Apprenticeship • Built basic website and facebook pages • www.innovativeapprenticeship.org • facebook.com/usapprenticeship • INAP can contribute to the effort

16. Summing Up • Apprenticeship clearly expanding globally • INAP can play a critical role in improving both well-developed and weak systems • Continuing research is important • But expanding access to research, programs and standards are important • INAP taking on role of clarifying standards; ALL CAN HELP!