From Transactional to Transformational: Designing Quality Internships and Apprenticeships
As AI continues to transform industries, the need for robust human capital strategies has never been more urgent. The uniquely human capabilities that AI cannot replicate are essential for long-term organizational success. Work-based learning (WBL) programs like internships and apprenticeships are proven pathways for building these invaluable skills while creating strong talent pipelines for businesses.
In our latest report, developed with support from Strada Education Foundation, we highlight a critical gap between the characteristics of high-quality internship and apprenticeship programs that benefit businesses and workers alike and the offerings that large companies currently provide. Many corporate programs remain overly transactional and fall short of delivering meaningful, transformational outcomes for both workers and businesses.
While there is strong consensus in the research and among experts on the key elements that make a WBL program effective and impactful – and these elements are widely supported by the American public – many companies’ current offerings still fall short of leading practices and public expectations:
- 73% of the public thinks it is important for apprenticeships to result in industry-recognized credentials, yet only 32% of companies in our dataset disclose that apprentices earn a credential upon program completion.
- 84% of the American public views companies that offer paid internships more favorably, and 43% view companies offering unpaid internships less favorably. However, only 64% of the large companies we collected data on disclosed offering only paid internships.
- Experts and the public agree that networking is a crucial element of internship and apprenticeship programs, yet only 30% of internships disclose a structured networking component. The gap is even more severe for apprenticeships, with only 15% disclosing structured networking opportunities.
Learn how to close the gaps between impactful practice and company disclosure in the full report.
To bridge the gap between current offerings and leading practice, this report outlines a series of actionable steps companies can take to advance their WBL programs. From improving accessibility and expanding recruitment outreach to shifting towards a more skills- and fit-based approach to recruitment, these strategies can help unlock the full potential of your WBL programs.
If you’re an HR or People leader looking to make a meaningful impact with your company’s WBL efforts, this report provides the guidance and strategies you need to drive change and achieve long-term success.
Interested in learning more? Download the full report to explore key insights and practical steps for developing or improving your internship and apprenticeship programs to create lasting value for your workforce and business.
