Partnering on Apprenticeships
for Government Employment
State leaders are confronting workforce shortages, skills gaps and increasing competition for talent across critical government roles. Apprenticeship Programs offer a practical strategy to strengthen public-sector talent pipelines. Learn how to tackle these workforce challenges in your state through these tools developed by CSG and its partners.
6 STATES PILOTED
CSG-supported programs
$1.40 to $1.90 ROI
per employer dollar invested
94% RETENTION
after program completion
10 STATES SCALING
learning & action network
- Information about public sector programs in each state will be coming soon.
What States Should Know About Public Sector Apprenticeships
Public-sector apprenticeships offer a practical way to strengthen the workforce and support economic growth. Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) can help state and local governments attract and train the next generation of public sector workers while creating expanded pathways for residents into stable, rewarding public sector careers.
State and local governments can utilize apprenticeship programs to staff hard-to-fill roles, attract new talent and address staffing challenges. In turn, apprentices gain paid experience, develop transferable skills and build a foundation for long-term careers.
“In working with states across the country, we hear that when the path into public-sector jobs doesn’t reflect today’s workforce needs, it can limit access to those jobs. This effort supports states as they build skills-based pathways into public service and grow the talent pipelines they need to meet changing demands. The result can mean a larger, stronger talent pool with more people able to achieve financial security.”
David Adkins
CSG Executive Director/CEO
WORKFORCE
Meeting Workforce Challenges
Public-sector employment often pays more than the private sector in the long term and provides strong benefits, with many being union jobs. With state and local governments anticipating future challenges due to a wave of expected retirements, RAPs can help attract and retain a younger workforce that prioritizes occupations that are financially stable with adequate benefits.
RESEARCH
Providing Evidence-Based Impact
RAPs have robust evidence based effectiveness as a “learn and earn” talent development strategy that yields benefits for employers that need an infusion of skilled workers, and for apprentices who can earn wages while learning new skills and gaining valuable work experience.
PARTNERS
Benefits for Employers and Apprentices
RAPs have a well-documented track record of impact for both employers and workers. Employers see an average return of $1.40 to $1.90 for every dollar invested in RAPs. For workers, the payoff is clear: registered apprenticeship increases participants earnings and employment outcomes. 94% of apprentices who complete a registered apprenticeship retain employment, and registered apprenticeships increase their annual earnings by $12,900 to $18700. These programs create a pathway to permanent, high-quality public-sector jobs.
Apprenticeship Resources Center
Explore this resource center to learn more about how public-sector apprenticeship models are gaining traction as a strategic workforce solution to address talent shortages and build career pathways. You will find data-driven analysis, interactive visuals, and real-world examples showing how states and local governments are using apprenticeships to strengthen the public workforce. These resources also provide broader context on workforce trends, skills gaps, and apprenticeship standards.
Urban Institute
Practitioner Perspectives
WorkRise Network
Route Fifty
Broader Apprenticeship System Resources
Wisconsin Policy Forum
Urban Institute
U.S. Department of Labor
Apprenticeship Program Approach
Previously, with funding from the CSG 21st Century Foundation, CSG, in partnership with the Urban Institute, established a public sector apprenticeship consortium to develop and implement public sector apprenticeship programs in six states. Creating a network of experience helped the six state teams build and maintain momentum, learn from each other and efficiently build the coalitions of partners needed to achieve policy and practice changes in government hiring and talent development. The work of the consortium culminated in an event at the 2021 CSG National Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where states heard from workforce experts and crafted an action plan for the development of apprenticeships in their state.
CSG has published resources and publications to support states in their apprenticeship efforts, including:
Public Sector Apprenticeship Toolkit
- The Public Sector Apprenticeship Toolkit is a resource serving as a comprehensive guide for state and local government leaders and human resources professionals to effectively develop, launch and sustain registered apprenticeship programs to fill talent shortages. The toolkit features information on the components of RAPs; how to join or develop RAPs in government; funding public sector RAPs; and how to hire, advance and evaluate apprentices.
The Urban Institute has developed numerous resources to support state and local governments in creating apprenticeship programs, including:
Occupational Frameworks
- Occupational frameworks for developing registered apprenticeships for various public sector professions
Apprenticeship Fact Sheet
- Fact sheet on public sector apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Research Report
- Research report on public sector apprenticeships in Kentucky
With continued grant funding from the Ascendium Education Group, CSG and the Urban Institute are helping state and local government employers scale registered apprenticeship programs to attract, train and retain the next generation of public-sector workers. Check back for more information about upcoming resources.
Apprenticeship: Upcoming Work
CSG and the Urban Institute have been awarded a grant from the Ascendium Education Group to build on the work that began under Phase I (2022-2025) by providing support to more states and creating resources that will support the adoption of the registered apprenticeship model.
CSG and Urban are conducting an ecosystem mapping project to fill critical data gaps about the public sector apprenticeship landscape, informing and connecting stakeholders across states. This research will map existing public sector apprenticeship programs, including program structure, demographics, outcomes and best practices.
CSG and Urban will also convene a State Learning and Action Network for up to 10 states to foster a systems approach to scaling apprenticeships in the public sector. States participating in the State Learning and Action Network will receive support to develop and implement strategic action plans for launching and expanding public-sector apprenticeships, including specific strategies to address existing hiring policy barriers and entrenched practices.
About The Partners
The Council of State Governments
Founded in 1933, The Council of State Governments (CSG) is the nation’s largest nonpartisan organization serving state elected and appointed officials in all three branches. The mission of CSG is to champion excellence in state government and the organization executes that mission through four major platforms: the CSG National Office, CSG Regional Offices, the CSG Justice Center and affiliated organizations.
The Urban Institute
The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization that provides data and evidence to help advance upward mobility. Urban is a trusted source for changemakers who seek to strengthen decision-making, create economic growth and improve the well-being of families and communities. For more than 50 years, Urban has delivered facts that inspire solutions.
Ascendium Education Group
Ascendium’s national philanthropy focuses on increasing opportunities for learners from low-income backgrounds to achieve upward mobility through postsecondary education and workforce training. Ascendium partners with organizations whose objectives align with our core strategies to expand opportunity, support learner success, and connect and align systems. Ascendium’s grantees include postsecondary education and workforce training providers, intermediaries, researchers, and media organizations from across the U.S. To learn more, visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org.
This work is supported by a grant from the Ascendium Education Group. Ascendium Education Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization driven by the belief that learning after high school gives people the power to build better futures.