Youth with Disabilities Entering the Workplace through Apprenticeship

Looking To Future Opportunities 

In Apprenticeship

6
An Overview: 

Current projections of employment growth reveal opportunities to expand the number of 

apprenticeship program sponsors and training slots over the next decade, both within the 

traditional building and construction base of apprenticeship, and in newer apprenticeship 

occupations. Job demand in the building and construction trades is likely to remain strong 

through a combination of job growth and the replacement of workers who retire. Some of the 

newer apprenticeship occupations, particularly some of those that provide for recognition of 

a specific set of skills within an apprenticeship occupation, are expected to grow. Future high 

demand occupations are important considerations in career planning and in pursuing new 

apprenticeship programs. 

Recent changes to the federal apprenticeship regulations allow greater flexibility in 

how related technical instruction can be provided and allow program sponsors to utilize 

competency-based, hybrid, as well as traditional time-based apprenticeship training 

approaches. As a result of these changes, it is likely that more employers will participate as 

program sponsors of apprenticeship training. In addition, the availability of interim credentials 

in selected apprenticeship occupations is also likely to make apprenticeship an attractive 

employment option for many more people, including people with disabilities.

What You Need to Know: 

Many high-growth technical occupations, 

particularly those in the medical services 

fields, are recognized for apprenticeship. 

Though registered apprenticeship has made 

progress in expanding beyond the traditional 

trades to these high-growth, high-demand 

occupations, most apprentices still come 

from building and construction. The good 

news is that current labor market projections 

indicate that traditional apprenticeship 

occupations will remain in demand. Two 

factors dictate the future of occupational 

demand: growth in the industry or occupation; 

and the number of replacement workers 

needed as individuals leave the workforce 

due to retirement or disability. In the skilled 

craft trades particularly, replacement is a 

significant factor as long-time, “baby boomer” 

journey level workers leave the labor force. 

Employers who are constantly seeking new 

workers or who experience a high turnover of 

staff are good candidates for sponsoring new 

apprenticeship programs. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 

publishes data on projected growth in 

employment by occupation, that includes 

projected job openings as a result of growth 

in the occupation and through replacement 

of existing workers that are projected to 

leave their jobs. Using this data measure, 

BLS data indicates that demand for workers 

in the traditional apprenticeship occupations 

that employ the most apprentices will remain 

strong. The chart on the following page, 

“Projected Job Growth in Top Apprenticeship 

Occupations,” highlights projected job growth 

for selected occupations in the building 

and construction trades. For each of these 

occupations, the demand is above or near the 

national average for all occupations. 

Youth with Disabilities Entering the Workplace through Apprenticeship - Looking To Future Opportunities In Apprenticeship
Youth with Disabilities Entering the Workplace through Apprenticeship - Looking To Future Opportunities In Apprenticeship

0 500 1000 1500 2000

Electrician

Carpenter

Construction - Craft Laborers

Sheet Metal Worker

Roofer

Operating Engineers

Construction - Painters

Boilermakers

Construction - Bricklayer

Cement Mason

Number of Workers in Thousands

Projected Job Growth in Top Apprenticeship Occupations

Source: Data in graph is from the appendix to the November 2007 Monthly Labor Review, BLS

0 10 20 30 40 50 0

Forensic Science Technicians

Pharmacy Technicians

Medical Assistants

Veterinary Technicians

Home Health Aides

Personal/Home Care Aides

Projected Percentage Increase

6

Percent Change in Employment in Occupations Projected to Grow Fastest, 2006-16

Source: Graph derived from: Percent change in employment occupations projected to grow fastest, 2006-16. 

“Tomorrow’s Jobs,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09. p. 5. 
Many apprenticeship occupations outside 

the building and construction trades 

are also projected to be in high demand. 

For some, although the occupation is 

recognized, no apprenticeship programs 

have yet been registered. However, in 

most of these occupations, apprenticeship 

programs do exist albeit in relatively small 

numbers. National standards have been 

established for certain occupations with 

large employers and associations. National 

standards facilitate the registration of 

new apprenticeship programs because 

they provide a template that an affiliate 

business can use in putting together its 

training plan.

Other occupations provide interim certification 

opportunities through apprenticeship. The 

flexibility provided through such programs is 

likely to be useful in expanding apprenticeship 

opportunities to more people, including people 

with severe disabilities, because they allow for 

industry-related recognition of training skills 

acquired in a given occupational area, even 

if the individual does not complete the full 

apprenticeship program. Acquiring these skills 

will also allow workers who choose to do so 

to move incrementally towards completing an 

apprenticeship and still receive recognition for 

the skills that have been acquired. The interim 

credential can be useful in finding employment 

and may be particularly beneficial in designing 

customized apprenticeship programs for 

individuals with significant disabilities. 

Apprenticeship occupations projected to 

grow by the largest percentages include 

personal and home health care aides, 

veterinary technologists and technicians, 

medical assistants, and pharmacy technicians. 

The medical service field is a high-growth 

industry that provides multiple pathways 

to certification through apprenticeship. 

For example, a certified nursing assistant 

apprenticeship is a three-year program, but 

there are four interim certifications, each 

of which requires less training to complete. 

Pharmacy technician is another occupation 

that offers multiple pathways through 

apprenticeship. The occupation requires the 

equivalent of one year of work experience and 

training. However, there are related pharmacy 

support occupations that provide certifications 

based on fewer hours. The chart on the 

previous page, “Percent Change in Employment 

in Occupations Projected to Grow Fastest, 

2006-2016,” shows the anticipated increase in 

employment occupations for six high growth 

occupations that are also apprenticeable.

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor 

(DOL) issued changes to the rules on 

apprenticeship. These changes were intended 

to update the apprenticeship system to 

meet the demands of the future. Many of 

the changes, such as the interim credentials 

described earlier, expand opportunities for 

all workers, but particularly for individuals 

with disabilities. Other changes are designed 

to make apprenticeship appealing to a larger 

universe of employers. For more information 

on these changes, see: www.doleta.gov/OA/

pdf/Apprenticeship_Final_Fact_Sheet.pdf. 

Youth with Disabilities Entering the Workplace through Apprenticeship - Looking To Future Opportunities In Apprenticeship
Where to Go For More Information: 

Career Voyages, a partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department 

of Education, provides young people with information on post-secondary education and 

employment. It gives a particular focus to high growth and emerging industries, in addition to 

discussing registered apprenticeship: www.careervoyages.gov. 

A full list of occupations recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as apprenticeable may be 

viewed at: www.doleta.gov/OA/bul08/Bulletin_2008_15.pdf. This bulletin was last updated 

in May 2008.

The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics annually publishes the Occupational 

Outlook Handbook to inform readers of the training, earnings, and job prospects offered by 

various careers. A 2008-09 article, “Tomorrow’s Jobs,” showcases future opportunities in the 

labor force: www.bls.gov/oco/pdf/oco2003.pdf.

Youth with Disabilities Entering the Workplace through Apprenticeship - Looking To Future Opportunities In Apprenticeship

1. Understanding Apprenticeship Basics

2. Preparing Youth and Young Adults for 

Apprenticeship Programs

3. Increasing Participation of Young Adults 

with Disabilities In Apprenticeship 

Programs

4. Establishing New Apprenticeship Programs

5. What Apprenticeship Employers Need to 

Know About Working with Young Adults 

with Disabilities

6. Looking to Future Opportunities in 

Apprenticeship

Office of Disability 

Employment Policy

U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20210

Voice 

1-866-ODEP-DOL (633-7365) 

TTY 

1-877-889-5627

www.dol.gov/odep

Learn More