By Krystal Ripa, Ph.D., Director of Workforce Development, Office of Partnerships and Workforce Development at Empire State University
Maureen Kroning, Ed.D., R.N., Visiting Professor, College of Health and Human Services – Nursing & Allied Health
When people hear “apprenticeship,” they often picture the trades – electricians, plumbers, operators. But apprenticeships today reach far beyond that. At SUNY Empire, we see them as one of the most powerful tools for connecting education, employment, and economic mobility across every sector.
We’re early in this work but deeply committed to the “earn while you learn” model. Apprenticeships open doors to careers that have often been closed to those without connections, credentials, or time to stop working. They let people move forward while moving up – earning income, education, and opportunity simultaneously.
Why Apprenticeships Matter
Apprenticeships are not just an education strategy; they’re a workforce investment model.
- Real Work, Real Pay, Real Learning: Apprentices earn while they learn, combining structured classroom instruction with hands-on experience. They graduate not only with skills but with a paycheck and a pathway.
- Employer-Led, Industry-Driven: Curriculum and training are built directly from employer needs. That alignment ensures apprentices are job-ready from day one.
- Stackable Credit and Credentials: At Empire, we align the classroom component (Related Technical Instruction, or RTI) so apprentices can stack credit toward certificates, microcredentials, or degrees – there is no lost time or effort.
- A Force for Equity: Apprenticeships turn the traditional model on its head. Instead of paying to learn, people earn to learn—an engine for economic mobility and community wealth-building.
Why Employers Are Investing
Employers increasingly recognize apprenticeships as a strategic, cost-effective way to recruit, train, and retain skilled staff—while shaping the workforce they need.
- Build a Skilled Talent Pipeline: Apprenticeships create a steady flow of employees trained to an organization’s exact standards.
- Reduce Turnover, Boost Retention: When apprentices learn and grow inside the organization, they develop loyalty and belonging from the start.
- Recruitment Advantage: Offering paid training attracts motivated candidates and positions employers as “best places to work.”
- Cut Training Costs: Because apprentices learn systems, workflows, and culture throughout their program, orientation and onboarding are faster and cheaper.
- Strengthen Quality and Continuity: Apprenticeship graduates deliver higher-quality outcomes and support long-term workforce stability.
- Many employers also qualify for state and federal incentives, such as the Empire State Apprenticeship Tax Credit, and gain recognition as leaders in community workforce development.
Apprenticeships Beyond the Trades
Empire’s vision for apprenticeships extends into fields like healthcare, IT, and business operations- areas where demand for skilled workers is skyrocketing.
Our upcoming Building Your Healthcare Workforce: Apprenticeship Industry Roundtable is already revealing strong employer interest in paid training pathways that connect classroom learning with real jobs. That’s the future: education that moves at the speed of work.
Empire is an approved Department of Labor RTI provider for occupations including Project Management, Direct Support Professional, Teacher, Teacher Assistant, Cook, Bartender, and Human Resources Associate, and we’re expanding rapidly into emerging fields.
Why Empire
SUNY Empire’s statewide reach and flexible online delivery make us a uniquely positioned partner for apprenticeships.
- Flexible Online RTI: We deliver instruction anywhere, anytime – no relocation or disruption required.
- Credit for Prior Learning: We translate workplace experience and certifications into academic credit, saving time and cost.
- Co-Design with Employers: We develop programs with employers from the start, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and workforce needs.
- Pathways for Growth: Apprenticeships become the first step in a longer educational journey – stacking into credentials and degrees.
Employers and Students: We Are Here
- If you’re an employer curious about piloting an apprenticeship in your industry, let’s talk. We work both with employers with Department of Labor registered apprenticeships and private apprenticeships, as well. We realize employer needs vary and are here to help.
- If you’re a learner or student wanting an earn-while-you-learn opportunity, we’d love to help you explore it where we have employers-aligned.
Let’s build a future where work and education walk hand in hand. Together.
Krystal Ripa, Ph.D., Director of Workforce Development, Office of Partnerships and Workforce Development at Empire State University
Maureen Kroning, Ed.D., R.N., Visiting Professor, College of Health and Human Services – Nursing & Allied Health
