2024 Noncredit Exemplary Award Winner
CREDIT WORKFORCE PROGRAM
Houston Community College, TX
HCC Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub
In the Spring of 2022, Houston Community College launched the Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub (https://www.hccs.edu/apprenticeship) with the singular goal of expanding the reach and role of registered apprenticeships in the gulf coast region beyond the traditional construction craft trades that have long provided access and entry to high demand careers. Understanding the vital role and essential effectiveness of registered apprenticeships in attracting, training and retaining talent for employers while at the same time providing access and entry into high demand careers that supply a steady wage progression, Houston Community College sought to deliver on this long standing pillar of workforce development by expanding registered apprenticeships in nontraditional sectors such as business and professional services, health care and IT among others.
The Hub provides a space for employers to find the talent they need and career seekers the training and employment they desire. In most cases, Houston Community College serves as the registered apprenticeship sponsor removing the employers’ burden of not only training apprentices, but also handling all of the documentation required by the US Department of Labor to establish and maintain a registered apprenticeship. In addition to accessing strong talent through an earn and learn model, employers can be reimbursed for initial wages through the state’s workforce agency, the Texas Workforce Commission. Thus, the effort is a win-win-win for all involved. The student enters a career while training both at college and on the job, the employer accesses a new talent pipeline and supports through on the job training and mentorship, and the college fulfills its mission.
Since its inception just last spring, the Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub at HCC has launched 25 registered apprenticeships in partnership with employers with a projected annual enrollment of 1100. In addition to the above expansion in a short amount of time, through the Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub, HCC held the first annual “Women in Apprenticeship” conference coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week in November of 2022. The event showcased active apprentices and employers engaged through the Hub to an audience of business and industry leaders, high school female students, and community members. Key to the success of the Hub is the college’s commitment to provide dedicated resources to support the growth and expansion across the region. Utilizing five repurposed positions, HCC built a team that lives and breaths all things apprenticeship including an Executive Director, two business and community outreach developers, a program coordinator to manage the DOL registered apprenticeship sponsorship and RAPID system, and a student recruiter.
Upcoming & recent events
The 2024 NCWE Annual Conference was a huge success! Leaders in workforce education shared insights, built connections, and explored innovative ideas.
Want to be part of 2025? Connect with us about sponsoring, speaking, or exhibiting.
