NH DOE celebrates 500th NH student apprenticeship milestone

CONCORD, NH – The Office of Apprenticeship at the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration announced last week that the 500th student in New Hampshire had completed a registered apprenticeship.

Granite State apprenticeship programs offer “earn as you learn” opportunities, including industry certification, in information technology, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare, and 91 percent of apprentices are employed after completing their programs. New Hampshire currently has 3,000 active apprentices including 957 that were added just this year, according to officials.

“This great milestone demonstrates the growing realization that apprenticeship works well,” said Kenneth Merrifield, the commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Labor, “and can be a tremendous tool in many environments beyond the traditional apprenticeship model.”

The Community College System of New Hampshire works with employers to help students gain college credits for credentialed programs and degrees while at the same time working at a job. This effort helps companies develop and train their workforces while the apprentice creates a pathway to a career that doesn’t always involve a four-year degree or substantial debt. Apprenticeships run from one to six years, depending on the career.

“Our state’s apprenticeship program offers students the chance to learn while they work,” said Frank Edelblut, the commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education. “Professionals experienced in a specific business sector are able to open up whole new worlds to students in ways that they both benefit from. It is a great alternative opportunity to help students achieve a bright future.”

In mid-August, CCSNH held a symposium at NHTI in Concord featuring officials from all seven of its colleges. Dr. Ross Gittell, the chancellor of CCSNH, stated that the daylong event was an opportunity to make new connections and shares ideas and plans that would “build on the strong foundation of instruction and training pathways at our colleges.” Edelblut also spoke at the event about the collaboration between CCSNH and the NH DOE.

Part of the symposium was an extensive discussion about a $1.2 million federal grant to enhance apprenticeship opportunities in IT, medical, and manufacturing sectors. The grant runs through October 2020.

For more information, visit the Apprenticeship NH website.