Is Apprenticeship the Key to Bridging the Experience Gap in Education?

 

Apprenticeship could be the perfect solution to moving the needle and bridging the experience gap in education.

As education stands at a crossroads between educational reform and workforce development, how can apprenticeship programs revolutionize the approach to equipping the next generation for the evolving job market?

In an insightful episode of The Future of Education: Class Disrupted, hosted by Michael B. Horn and Diane Tavenner, guest Ryan Craig, the Managing Director at Achieve Partners, explores the transformative potential of apprenticeships. This discussion teases a critical perspective on apprenticeship as a viable alternative to the traditional college pathway, highlighting its role in addressing the experience gap in education today.

“Apprenticeship is really the only alternative pathway that truly levels the playing field because it’s a job,” Craig said. “An apprenticeship is a job, first and foremost, where you’re being paid a living wage and you have built in formal and informal training as well as wage and career progression with the apprenticeship.”

This statement underscores the unique value of apprenticeships in providing practical, paid experience alongside education, thereby equipping individuals with the skills and expertise needed in the modern workforce.

Recent Episodes

Artificial intelligence is transforming classrooms in ways few could have imagined just a few years ago. As generative tools like Google Gemini and ChatGPT become embedded in K–12 instruction, the power of AI is reshaping how teachers personalize learning, engage students, and reclaim time. According to McKinsey, teachers spend up to 40 percent of…

As schools increasingly prioritize not just academic success but also real-world readiness, the call for career-connected learning has never been louder. With over 10% of future job growth projected in STEM fields, education systems are reimagining how to expose students, especially from under-resourced communities, to meaningful career pathways early on. So, how can schools…

As schools increasingly prioritize holistic education, the conversation around whole-child development is gaining momentum. A national survey by the American Institutes for Research reveals that while a large majority of teachers support whole-child approaches, many still need additional guidance and resources to implement them effectively. This gap between belief and practice raises important questions about how best to…