Despite low unemployment (PDF), we know municipalities are still facing persistent workforce challenges. On average, local governments need 96 days to find qualified candidates to fill open positions, compared to 36 days in the private sector, and 61% of counties underrepresent BIPOC communities in their municipal workforces.
Given labor market conditions and rapid change and uncertainty (PDF), apprenticeships are a time-tested model (PDF) to address workforce and retention challenges (PDF) as well as future-proof talent pipelines across industries and sectors. Municipalities are no exception. NLC’s State of the Cities report found that Workforce and Economic Development remain a top priority for mayors across the United States.
Building and scaling apprenticeships in cities requires an eye to structural, cultural, political and relational nuances unique to cities. However, much of the albeit limited investment in apprenticeship across the country is in the private sector, historically in the trades. While there is no one-size-fits-all way to build or scale apprenticeship, through the Apprenticeship for Cities initiative we have learned that successful cities need 1) an internal champion working to 2) build the right team aligned with 3) community priorities with 4) the requisite capacity and funding.
So where should you start? Find your champion(s), which could include yourself! There are many examples of who this champion is and how to begin building the team. You or your champion does not necessarily need to be an elected official or one of the key decision-makers.
City Spotlight: Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque, NM, began considering apprenticeship when their Planning Department developed an Anti-Displacement Toolkit in response to community concerns about losing housing, jobs and businesses as a result of new development and redevelopment. Together with their Human Resources Departments, this collaborative team worked alongside the American Institutes for Research (AIR) on a project plan to develop a pilot apprenticeship program. The City of Albuquerque is building momentum and consensus around how apprenticeship can fill their workforce needs and support their shared priorities around opportunities and access to employment for their residents.
Through Apprenticeship for Cities, NLC and AIR have worked alongside teams, like the City of Albuquerque, to bring together a team of stakeholders, both internal and external, that speak to each municipality’s unique structural, cultural, political and relational needs.
Once your team is assembled around a shared goal and community priority, they will need to meet regularly to keep up momentum as they make collaborative design decisions, advocate for needed resources, address structural and policy hurdles and gather buy-in from their respective teams and partners.
Workforce 101
Learn more about how municipal leaders can — and already do — advance local workforce development strategies that connect residents to family-sustaining jobs and improve economic competitiveness by meeting the needs of their local employers.
Workforce Development
Apprenticeship for Cities
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