Apply Today!
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), Center for Policy and Practice invites community colleges to apply to participate in the second cohort of the Scaling Apprenticeship at Community Colleges project, launched with support from Ascendium and implemented in partnership with New America and Job Forward.
Building on ACCT’s previous work exploring the role of community colleges in apprenticeship and the lessons learned from the first cohort, this initiative will provide participating institutions with resources, training, and technical assistance to help community colleges become registered apprenticeship program sponsors.
Through a structured framework of activities and peer learning, the project will support colleges in strengthening their capacity to design and implement the processes and institutional infrastructure needed to develop and sustain successful apprenticeship programs. Establishing, strengthening, and formalizing employer partnerships will remain a central priority to ensure long-term program growth and sustainability.
Please review the project details and application below. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 29 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
- Informational Webinar for Prospective Colleges: Click here to view!
- Deadline for colleges to complete application of interest: April 29, 2026 at COB Pacific Time
- Expected date for applicants to receive notification regarding cohort decisions: May 14, 2026
- Cohort launch/Training modules begin: June 4, 2026
- First in-person convening in Washington, DC: September 2026
Questions about this project may be directed to Ashley Moore ([email protected]).
Project Overview
ACCT and its partners are launching the second cohort of the Scaling Apprenticeship at Community Colleges initiative, which will support ten community colleges in developing sustainable registered apprenticeship programs in at least two non-traditional occupations (additional details are available in the application materials).
Over the course of approximately nine months, participating colleges will engage in a structured learning experience designed to help institutions plan, launch, and sustain Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). College teams will participate in a series of virtual learning modules covering key topics, including:
- Framework, components, and policy environment of registered apprenticeship programs (RAP)
- Standards development for new RAPs
- Employer partnerships
- Program administration
- Curriculum, competencies, and related technical instruction (RTI) development
- Recruiting, onboarding, and supporting apprentices
- Trustee engagement
- Sustainable financing
In addition to the learning modules, participating colleges will use structured process planning guides to facilitate internal planning sessions and will take part in peer learning community discussions with other institutions in the cohort. These sessions will create opportunities for colleges to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and share solutions as they work to expand apprenticeship programming.
ACCT will also work closely with community college trustees, providing information about registered apprenticeships and highlighting ways trustees can support the development and long-term sustainability of apprenticeship programs at their institutions.
As part of the program, two members of each college’s project team will attend two in-person convenings. The first convening will serve as an introductory and planning session, while the second will function as a working session focused on finalizing apprenticeship standards applications and assessing project progress.
To support participation, each selected college will receive a $15,000 stipend.
By the end of the initiative, participating colleges will have the tools, processes, and partnerships needed to design and implement scalable, sustainable registered apprenticeship programs, with a strong emphasis on employer engagement. Colleges will also gain the capacity to develop and sustain apprenticeship pathways in additional occupations in the future.
Process to Apply
- Learn about the project goals: Please review the ACCT Scaling Apprenticeship at Community Colleges homepage for more project details. For more information on the role community colleges can play in developing and sustaining apprenticeship programs, review ACCT’s white paper Innovating Workforce Education: Community Colleges at the Forefront of Registered Apprenticeship.
- Identify occupations and business partners: At the end of the 4-year project, member colleges will have launched one successful non-traditional apprenticeship program wherein the college serves as the sponsor. The college will also be in the process of launching at least one apprenticeship program for a second occupation. As such, at the time of application, all members of the cohort will have at least one existing, strong relationship with an employer who is prepared to partner on this apprenticeship project.
- Identify your team: Selected colleges should convene a project team that includes, at least:
- A member of the academic/program office overseeing the instructional components for the occupation of focus;
- A decision-level administrator (this is often the Dean of Workforce);
- A representative of the admissions and/or financial aid office;
- A member of the business or advancement office who focuses on business relationships; and
- A representative of the IT or record keeping office who works with student data.
You do not have to provide the final list of each team member in this application, but please indicate that you have identified potential representatives and began discussions about this work.
- Submit your application: Review and submit the application of interest at the link below The primary selection criteria for the cohort will be:
- The strength of existing relationships between businesses and the college;
- Clear identification of non-traditional occupations for development; and
- The college’s dedication to sustainable, centralized apprenticeship programming.