Key Facts:
Fact 1:
As a vocational rehabilitation case service, apprenticeships are an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce.Fact 2:
Through apprenticeships, vocational rehabilitation customers can obtain paid work experience, on-the-job learning, classroom instruction, mentoring, and a portable, nationally recognized credential upon completion.Fact 3:
Meeting varied vocational rehabilitation customer career preferences and training needs, apprenticeships are available in a wide range of industries including information technology, healthcare, energy, construction, telecommunications, financial services, and more.An apprenticeship is a job, making it a highly desirable post-secondary option for VR-eligible individuals with disabilities.
Fact 4:
The two types of apprenticeship programs available are Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs). RAPs are a proven model of apprenticeship that has been validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or State Apprenticeship Agency, while IRAPs are high-quality apprenticeship programs recognized as such by Standards Recognition Entity (SRE) pursuant to the DOL’s standards.Vocational rehabilitation funds may be used to provide apprenticeship training, support services, tools and equipment, and accommodation cost for qualified VR customers.
Recommended Readings:
- Office of Disability Employment Policy. (2021, March 4). Inclusive apprenticeships: Connecting employers and career seekers.
- U.S. Department of Labor. (2021, February 26). Explore apprenticeships.
- RSA and WINTAC developed the Credential Guide to support VR agencies as they identify which education and training programs, in their States, culminate in participants earning a credential that meets the definition of a recognized credential under WIOA. The guide includes examples of secondary and postsecondary credentials along with the supporting documentation requirements to which VR agencies must adhere in accordance with the joint data validation guidance (RSA-TAC-19-01).