Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) play a vital role in building a strong pipeline of Hoosier talent and enhancing Indiana’s economic competitiveness. Administered by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship (OWBLA), RAP is a structured talent development strategy that combines on-the-job learning, classroom learning, and mentorship to prepare individuals for expertise in their chosen fields.
To strengthen Indiana’s RAP ecosystem, highlight program benefits, and connect employers with both local and national apprenticeship intermediary partners, DWD hosted a two-day event on March 11-12, 2025, at the Ivy Tech Community College’s Columbus campus. The event featured an intermediary roundtable and training session on Day One, followed by presentations, a panel discussion, and networking opportunities on Day Two.
“This is the first time Indiana has brought together national, state, and local apprenticeship eco system partners, and it marks only the second national employer event to feature national intermediaries,” said DWD Interim Commissioner Beth Green. “We created a platform for employers to connect directly with U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) registered apprenticeship intermediaries at both the local and national levels.”
Indiana currently leads the nation in apprenticeship programs, ranking first in the number of programs per workforce capita. Additional national rankings include:
- 5th in new apprentices
- 5th in active apprentices
- 7th in completed apprentices
The return on investment for Indiana’s apprenticeship programs is also substantial. For every $1 invested, employers see a $1.47 return, while the public benefits from $28 in economic impact per dollar. Supported by more than $10 million in USDOL grants, these programs deliver a 49% increase in participant earnings and a 94% employment rate.
At the Intermediary Roundtable and Training on March 11, attendees were introduced to the core elements of registered apprenticeships, and the DWD Apprenticeship Indiana Institute (Aii). Aii is a comprehensive training series designed to support the promotion, development, launch, and sustainability of RAPs.
“This event was incredibly valuable for raising awareness about apprenticeships,” said Austin Clark, Employer Services Manager, Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board. “It also gave attendees a clear direction on where to go if they’re interested in learning more.”
The Day Two session, titled “Talent Producers: Empowering Employers through Registered Apprenticeship,” featured discussions on the roles of local and national intermediaries. In addition, a panel session provided an interactive forum for attendees to hear directly from apprenticeship leaders, including:
- Robin Douthitt, Director of Grant Apprenticeships, Ivy Tech Community College
- Austin Clark, Employer Services Manager, Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board
- Scott Ellsworth, Contractor, Jobs for the Future (JFF)
- Robert Head, Apprenticeship Manager, Endress+Hauser
- Carly Smith, HR Support Specialist, Radius Aerospace
“I think what we learned here today is there are a lot of resources available to help connect our area employers with the right partners,” said Jennifer Hollingshead, School to Work Specialist, Aspire Johnson County.
Robert Head echoed the sentiment. “An event like this opens your eyes to new ways of looking at career development pipelines,” he said.
Scott Ellsworth added he believes the Columbus event will significantly boost awareness of the USDOL-funded resources available to employers, community colleges, and community-based organizations seeking to launch or expand apprenticeship programs.
“Prior to 2015, USDOL hadn’t invested heavily in registered apprenticeships but that all changed, and awareness is starting to grow,” Ellsworth said. “What we’re seeing now is a ripple effect where states are stepping up, offering incentive funds, and providing local support to expand these programs.”
Looking ahead, DWD OWBLA staff hope this RAP event leads to continued collaboration among state and national partners and ultimately lead to both the expansion of existing programs and the development of new registered apprenticeship programs throughout Indiana.
More information on DWD’s Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship can be found at https://www.in.gov/dwd/owbla/.
