IHE Reporters on the American Apprenticeship

In the latest episode of The Key, journalists from Inside Higher Ed’s newsroom discuss their work on the five-part series Apprenticeship: Learning at Work. After the Trump administration set an ambitious target of one million active, registered apprenticeships, Inside Higher Ed set out to cover the state of apprenticeships and what’s needed to reach this goal. 

Underwritten by Ascendium, the series looks at the American model of apprenticeships, distinct from the decades-old European system, and how it overlaps with higher education. It also challenges the stereotypes of apprenticeships serving only the construction industry by exploring programs in education, food services and pharmacy. A photo essay follows students on the job as they learn and work. The series wraps up with a wish list from experts in the field about what’s still needed to develop a system they know is possible.

In this episode, IHE’s editor in chief, Sara Custer, is joined by Colleen Flaherty, senior editor for special content; senior reporter Sara Weissman; digital producer Justin Morrison; and Johanna Alonso, IHE’s reporter for admissions and enrollment.

Listen to the full episode here.   

Read the full series:

• Why and how higher education is leaning into apprenticeships
• How apprenticeships and apprentices themselves are changing
• A photo essay showing what apprenticeships really look like
• Where apprenticeships are benefiting rural learners and their communities
• What’s needed to scale apprenticeships