Joint Center Senior Policy Analyst Talks About the Need For Wraparound Services with Public News Service

In discussing  Five Charts To Understand Black Registered Apprentices in the United States, a Joint Center research report that details outcomes for Black workers in apprenticeships, Joint Center Senior Policy Analyst Justin Nalley said for apprenticeship programs to better work for Black workers, there must be wraparound services.

Racial disparities also persist in completion rates. The data show in 2021, 41 percent of Black registered apprentices completed the program, compared with 47 percent of Hispanic workers, 48 percent of white and Native American workers, and 49 percent of Asian and Pacific Islander apprentices.

Nalley argued programs need to provide wraparound services to make them more affordable.

“Can we make it to the apprenticeship program … transportation? Do we have somebody to be able to watch [our] kids … child care? Are we able to provide lunch for that day … food services? Are we able to afford the equipment and materials that it takes?” Nalley outlined.

Read the article here.