Evaluating Earn and Learn Programs

With answers to key questions about earn and learn training, this tool offers a snapshot of how each of these models works. It can help you decide which ones are right for your business.

• What size business is this ideal for?

  Paid Internships Small and medium-sized businesses with any number of employees

  Registered Apprenticeship Small and medium-sized businesses with at least five employees

  On-the-Job Training Companies with less than 100 employees receive the highest percentages of wage reimbursements.

• Do workers receive classroom instruction elsewhere?

  Paid Internships Students enrolled in a postsecondary program could have concurrent coursework, or the internship could align with the overall coursework in their programs of study.

  Registered Apprenticeship It depends: Employers or outside providers—or a combination of the two—may offer classroom instruction and/or related technical training.

  On-the-Job Training The learning usually happens on the job, but if an employer is unable to provide all the needed job-specific skills training or wishes to supplement the on-site training, it may arrange additional instruction through a third party, such as a community college.

• Do employers provide on-the-job learning?

  Paid Internships Yes.

  Registered Apprenticeship Yes.

  On-the-Job Training Yes. Employers must develop customized training plans collaboratively with the workers and any third-party training providers that are involved.

• Do employers provide mentors?

  Paid Internships Recommended but not required

  Registered Apprenticeship Yes. They are required to do so.

  On-the-Job Training A supervisor is responsible for the worker's on-the-job learning, but workers don’t usually have additional mentors.

• How do the workers get paid?

  Paid Internships Hourly wage set by employer, but typically at least minimum wage. Employer must consult federal and state fair labor guidelines.

  Registered Apprenticeship Apprenticeship sponsors are responsible for setting compensation schedules, and employers pay apprentices in accordance with those schedules. In cases where the employer is not the program sponsor, the sponsor should work with the employer to devise an appropriate compensation plan. Compensation schedules must include progressive increases in wages for apprentices who gain new skills.

  On-the-Job Training Workers are paid through regular employer payrolls.

• How long does the program last?

  Paid Internships Typically two to three months

  Registered Apprenticeship A minimum of 2,000 hours of structured and supervised on-the-job training with mentoring; a minimum of 144 hours per year of related training and instruction. The duration of competency-based programs depends on the role. Visit the DOL’s Apprenticeship USA website for details.

  On-the-Job Training Four to 26 weeks, depending on the amount of training each employee needs to build the required skills.

• Are there any sources of supplemental funding?

  Paid Internships Contact your local workforce development board. At least 20% of workforce development board funds for young people—primarily out-of-school youth—are reserved for work experiences.

  Registered Apprenticeship DOL funding is available via federal grants or open funding opportunities. Also, it’s possible to braid money from multiple sources, including WIOA, Office of Apprenticeship industry partner incentive funds, state apprenticeship expansion grants, Pell Grants, and GI Bill benefits. Additional information is available in the Federal Resources Playbook for Registered Apprenticeship.

  On-the-Job Training Workforce development boards will provide funding to reimburse trainee wages, with maximum reimbursement rates of 50% for organizations with 100 or more employees, 65% for those with 20 to 99 workers, and 75% for those with 1 to 19 workers.

• Do participants receive credentials or employment opportunities—or both— when they complete the training?

  Paid Internships Employers may offer interns full-time jobs, but they’re not required to do so.

  Registered Apprenticeship Apprentices earn nationally recognized industry credentials. They are also employees of the companies at which they apprentice, and more than 90% are retained by their employers after completing their training.

  On-the-Job Training Employers must agree to provide long-term employment opportunities for workers who complete the training.