Apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and work-based learning are proven models for supporting economic advancement for workers, but many employers struggle to implement high-quality programs. And despite significant growth in recent years, equity gaps persist.
Jobs for the Future’s Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning is a leader in expanding these proven models to new industries and professions. By supporting system and program designs, we connect a diverse population of youth and adults to quality jobs and enable businesses to develop workers with the skills they need to grow.
We reach new industries and more workers facing barriers to advancement by designing and launching high-quality apprenticeship and work-based learning programs.
We build apprenticeship systems and program delivery models that work for everyone, advocate for fair policies, and equip programs with essential design resources.
By partnering with a diverse network of providers, we create innovative models to engage students, youth not attending school, and underemployed young adults.
The Power of Apprenticeship JFF spotlights Chef Ann Foundation’s Healthy School Food Pathway, an apprenticeship pathway model that strengthens the school food workforce, facilitates district capacity for scratch cooking, and builds a public-sector pathway for…
Findings from JFF's Next-Generation Apprenticeship for Next Generation Talent Initiative JFF shares outcomes and key learnings from its DOL-funded four-year initiative, Next-Generation Apprenticeship for Next-Generation Talent, to expand access to pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship for…
Federal and State Policy Recommendations for Quality Work-Based Learning This policy blueprint recommends federal and state policies rooted in JFF’s Work-Based Learning Framework to build stronger work-based learning systems that support learners at every stage…
U.S. House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Hearing On June 24, 2026, JFF Senior Advisor John Ladd testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development at a hearing on…
Moving beyond concept to implementation—where educators and employers share responsibility for developing talent. Big Blur 2.0 calls on employers to co-create talent development strategies in partnership with educators, moving from vision to action by fully…
Welcome to the Work-Based Learning Framework. This guide provides everything you need to know about work-based learning and how to use it to drive success for workers, learners, and employers. Work-based learning supports people of…
Over the next 5 years, JFF will work to provide apprenticeship opportunities in manufacturing to nearly 2,000 women and people of color.
By 2026, JFF aims to prepare 1,000 young people for entry into pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs, with an emphasis on those from populations that are underrepresented in Registered Apprenticeship.
JFF helps schools, employers, and other organizations connect more than 1,400 youth to apprenticeship programs.
JFF partnered with John Deere to build and deliver a national apprenticeship program for agriculture and equipment technicians and heavy construction equipment mechanics.
Work-based learning helps alleviate a common issue for jobseekers: meeting a "relevant work experience" prerequisite that is hard to gain outside of the workplace.
Myriam Sullivan is associate vice president of the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning at JFF. She works to advance career pathways for populations who are underrepresented in high-demand sectors of the economy. Her work…
Vanessa Bennett is a director at the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning at JFF. She works to drive equity, inclusion, and access to the workforce for workers and learners from underrepresented populations through policy and…
Krysti Specht is a senior director in the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning at JFF, supporting the national expansion of innovative practices that connect education and employment. Her skills and areas of expertise include:…
John Ladd is a senior advisor in the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning at JFF. He focuses on system building efforts that better align workforce and education at the local, state, regional and national…