National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD)

Excited to be on this virtual roundtable tomorrow representing the National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD). Register if you can, I’ve heard there are only a few spots left! See below. https://lnkd.in/gFgt2ucJ

This week, over a dozen Apprenticeship Degree visionaries and partners gathered in Tempe, Arizona, for the National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD)’s annual strategic retreat. Leaders from industry, higher education, workforce development, and philanthropy collaborated to chart the next phase of NCAD’s growth, focusing on policy priorities, place-based efforts, technical assistance, and the expansion of NCAD's greater Apprenticeship Degree Network. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re accelerating efforts toward our shared North Star: 3 million Apprenticeship Degrees by 2035, representing 15% of higher education enrollments. Together, we’re building a future where job-embedded learning transforms economic opportunities for working adults, employers, and communities alike. A special thanks to the retreat’s facilitator, Josh Davies, and attendees Geoffrey M. Roche, Bridgett Willey, PhD, RDMS, RVT, RDCS, RT(R), FSDMS, Anastasia Wickham, Ph.D., Eric Dunker, Ph.D., Kiko Suarez, Holly Smith, Ed.D., Hollis Salway, Libuse B., Brianna Barnes-Eldert, Erica DeMond, Henry Mack, Maranda Davis, and all who joined us for the impactful strategic session. And if you're ready to get started with your organization's Apprenticeship Degree, join us: https://www.ncad.org/ #ApprenticeshipDegrees #Job2Degree #LaborShortageSolutions #HigherEd

This week, I’m in Tempe, AZ, attending a strategy meeting with my colleagues at (National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD) We’re envisioning a future where more Americans can turn their jobs into college degrees through what is called an apprenticeship degree (AD). Not familiar with this concept or want it implemented in your state or institution? Contact NCAD! They are experts who guide policymakers, higher education institutions, employers, and other stakeholders in understanding and effectively implementing ADs. They offer various options for you to explore, learn, and adopt ADs in your state or community. If you had a New Year's resolution, it should be to bring affordable, high-quality, job-embedded college education to our frontline workers. AFFORDABLE, with ZERO STUDENT DEBT, should be the standard in higher education. Education BASED in the workplace, not on a remote campus, should be an option for many frontline workers. Providing CREDIT for work experience should be a straightforward choice. These points represent the ABCs of an apprenticeship degree. It’s a workforce development and college education solution that is gaining traction in many states and communities across America. Visit NCAD.org for more details. Let’s turn jobs into degrees instead of trying the other way around!

Prediction for 2025: Everyone in America is going to be talking about #apprenticeship. Here’s my take on what this means for the future of the college degree. (The future of college is also the subject of an extraordinary forthcoming 2025 book by Kathleen deLaski, which I also predict everyone will be buzzing about.) https://lnkd.in/eNE4FufC

The U.S. is grappling with a critical nursing shortage, sparking interest and use of an innovative recruitment and training solution - the Apprenticeship Degree. To support leaders in expanding these high-impact programs across the country, the National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD) has released the "Apprenticeship Degrees in Nursing: State Landscape Analysis and Implementation Playbook," offering actionable insights drawn from interviews with experts and leaders nationwide. This Playbook highlights successful strategies for overcoming regulatory and accreditation hurdles, increasing workforce diversity, and improving retention through hands-on, earn-and-learn pathways. Aimed at policymakers, employers, and institutions of higher education, this resource serves as a valuable tool for anyone looking to launch or scale nursing Apprenticeships Degrees to address workforce shortages while maintaining excellence in care. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gm6QKji7 #ApprenticeshipDegrees #Healthcare #Nursing #LaborShortageSolutions

Had the privilege of spending an inspiring day with my Colorado Mountain College apprentice/students, who I’ve only known remotely until now. It’s been amazing to see firsthand the dedication and passion they bring to the teaching profession through the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program. We are making big strides with our partners CareerWise Colorado. This apprenticeship is a game-changer for those seeking non-traditional pathways to education. These students are earning their degrees while working and living full lives—no need to put careers on hold or go into debt. They’re learning the craft of teaching on the job, gaining real-world experience in classrooms, and building the kind of resilience and skills that will make them exceptional educators. It’s such a rewarding experience to support them as they navigate this path, blending work, study, and their personal lives. This program is proving that education can adapt to diverse needs and still produce incredible teachers for the next generation. The apprentices also did an amazing job of explaining how awesome this pathway is to some pretty cool folks from Jobs for the Future (JFF) and National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD) . #RegisteredTeacherApprenticeship #NonTraditionalPathways #EdTech #Teaching #WorkAndLearn

Honored to be on this virtual roundtable and thanks for the invite Marty Lessmann. Check out the registration details below! National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD) And you all should follow Workforce Connect, they are onto some amazing things that are truly making the employer/education/workforce system connections we need to see in the marketplace.

I agree with my friend Joshua Laney. There were several comments, from both sides of the aisle, that expressed concerns over the proposed National Apprenticeship System Enhnacements as they were written. We all believe we need a combination of innovation, quality, and accountability, but not at the expense of expanding apprenticeship into emerging fields and providing access to upward economic mobility for millions of more Americans. National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD) is grateful for all the thought and work being put in by employers, legislators, and educators on how we can evolve our system, but let’s start with common sense goals; like how do we create a system that’s accessible for all Americans, that solves systemic talent shortages, engages employers, and engages newer industries to apprenticeship like Healthcare, Teaching, and Technology that doesn’t mark them down because they have different work/training modalities and schedules than more traditional apprenticeships. We can do this! Apprenticeships work. #apprenticeshipdegrees

📣 Don’t miss it! Alongside our incredible partners from InnovateEDU, The Pathways Alliance, and Craft Education System (co-founded by the founders of Reach University), we are so proud to join the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Education for the #OpportunityProject’s 2024 Product Showcase and technology development sprint! Under the leadership of founder Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, this development sprint is focused on addressing the STEM teacher shortage with data technology and #ApprenticeshipDegree solutions that utilize federal open data. Learn more and RSVP: https://lnkd.in/gwayYHy3

Happy Thanksgiving from Reach University and the National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD)!