The Case for More Apprenticeships in Baltimore

The path to a fulfilling and well-paying career in Baltimore may not run through a college.

Young people and their parents, elected officials and employers are rethinking the route from high school to the workforce. For many, a registered apprenticeship is the best answer.

Maryland’s school reform initiative, known as the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, contains an ambitious goal that calls for 45 percent of Maryland students to graduate from high school with a youth apprenticeship or a certified industry credential by 2030.

Meeting that target will require a massive increase in participation. About 4,100 students graduated with such a credential in 2021, out of about 60,000 total graduates across all 24 school systems.

While apprenticeships are common in Europe, their value is still underappreciated in the U.S., supporters say. At the same time, industries beyond the construction trades—from health care to cybersecurity—are beginning to embrace the “earn while you learn” education and workforce development model.

The latest report from the Abell Foundation addresses the steps needed to grow the number of apprenticeship opportunities in Maryland, from education needed to dispel myths to gaining support of employers.

Baltimore Fishbowl spoke with the author of the report, Linda Dworak, director of Maryland Philanthropy Network’s Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative, to gain more insight. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Click here to read the full converation.

Source: Baltimore Fishbowl