Apprenticeship Workforce Development System Consulting Services

The vendor is required to provide for consulting teams to develop a blueprint for a registered apprenticeship hub, create a web platform for registered apprenticeship programs, and establish at least one registered apprenticeship in a high-growth sector.
- Demonstrated success in representing multiple unions with expertise in workforce development;
- Accomplishments in establishing registered apprenticeships across more than one sector;
- International experience and affiliations with skills in adapting global apprenticeship models;
- Demonstrated experience with the development and/or implementation of a client relationship management (CRM) system that tracks client progress and outcomes
- Experience with implementation and promoting the adoption of new program management systems among stakeholders.
- Evidence of collaboration across diverse sectors and stakeholders;
- Accomplishments in securing funding and resources through partnerships with public agencies, private businesses, and philanthropic organizations which have bolstered and sustained workforce development programs;
- Demonstrated success in convening diverse stakeholders—including businesses, unions, education providers, community-based organizations, and government entities—to align goals, build consensus and make progress towards measurable outcomes;
- Evidence of providing training and technical assistance to businesses and education providers on how to establish and manage registered apprenticeships.
- Research and benchmarking
• Conduct an in-depth comparative analysis of successful apprenticeship systems such as those of counties, focusing on:
a. Program structures, governance, and funding mechanisms.
b. Integration of digital platforms for scalability.
• Evaluate federal, state, and local policies and funding opportunities to support apprenticeship creation in county.
• Identify successful domestic models and best practices.
- Apprenticeship web platform development
• A critical first step will be conducting in-depth research on all existing registered apprenticeships in the region, identifying gaps, and assessing best practices to inform platform development.
• The platform must include:
a. A robust data system to aggregate and maintain real-time information on all registered apprenticeships available in county, ensuring up-to-date listings for job seekers, workforce professionals, and education providers.
b. A dynamic CRM system to track apprenticeship opportunities and manage participant progress throughout the apprenticeship lifecycle—from enrollment to completion—including key outcomes such as job placements and wage progression.
c. Comprehensive resources for employers and education providers, offering guidance on developing, registering, and sustaining high-quality apprenticeships.
d. Built-in accessibility and equity measures to ensure the platform serves diverse populations, including opportunity youth, justice-involved individuals, individuals with disabilities, and non-English speakers.
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship building
• Establish relationships with key stakeholders, including:
a. Local businesses across high-growth sectors.
b. Education and training providers, including community colleges, vocational schools, and universities.
c. Industry associations, unions, and workforce intermediaries.
d. City and state agencies to align efforts with existing workforce initiatives.
• Organize and facilitate stakeholder meetings to gather input, build buy-in, and foster collaboration.
• Develop employer-facing materials, including:
a. Case studies of successful apprenticeship programs.
b. Marketing and outreach guides that articulate the business value of apprenticeships.
- Registered apprenticeship hub strategic planning and framework development
• Develop a blueprint outlining the structure and operation of the apprenticeship hub including:
a. Roles and responsibilities of key partners, including workforce agencies, training providers, unions, and employers.
b. Operational processes for apprenticeship creation, registration, and management, ensuring programs align with industry needs.
c. A roadmap for building a one-stop center, detailing how the hub will function as a centralized apprenticeship support system where stakeholders can receive guidance, technical assistance, and policy insights.
d. Outreach and engagement strategies to connect businesses, training providers, and community organizations to the apprenticeship ecosystem.
• Propose funding models to sustain the apprenticeship hub, including public-private partnerships and grant opportunities.
• Integrate equity considerations to ensure the apprenticeship framework is accessible to underrepresented and high-barrier populations.
• Assess how the apprenticeship hub can integrate with existing board programs, including:
a. Work source centers
b. Youth source centers
c. High road training partnerships (HRTPS)
• Provide recommendations to ensure synergy across programs and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Identify strategies to ensure the apprenticeship hub prioritizes equitable access for high-barrier populations, including:
a. People experiencing homelessness
b. Justice-involved individuals
c. Older workers, people with disabilities, disconnected youth, and other underrepresented groups
• Work with community organizations and advocacy groups to gather input and create actionable equity recommendations.
• Funding collaboration with local partners:
a. Identify and engage local organizations, including businesses, education providers, nonprofits, and philanthropic agencies, to explore funding contributions for the apprenticeship hub.
b. Develop a collaborative funding model that pools resources from multiple local entities to establish and sustain the hub.
• Leverage local investments:
a. Work with local work source centers, community colleges, and industry associations to align their existing funding streams (e.g., grants, training budgets) with the apprenticeship hub's objectives.
- Implementation roadmap
• Create a two-year implementation plan with milestones, timelines, and deliverables for launching the apprenticeship hub.
• Identify pilot projects to test elements of the apprenticeship framework.
• Outline workforce development metrics and outcomes to track success.
- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Pre-Proposal Conference Date: April 4, 2025
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: April 10, 2025