2. Presentation Overview
2
• What is Apprenticeship?
• Different to other training programs
• Examples of apprenticeship in
arboriculture
• Partnerships in apprenticeship
• Why Apprenticeship?
• Solves issues in the industry
• Benefits of registered
apprenticeship
4. REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP
An industry driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can
develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain
paid work experience, receive progressive wage increases, classroom
instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.
4 apprenticeship.gov
5. How are apprenticeships different than
other workforce training programs?
Industry led
Structured &
paid training
Creating standards
across the industry • On-the-job learning
• Mentorship
• Supplemental
education
• Diversity
• Quality & safety
• Credentials
apprenticeship.gov
6. 6
Various skilled trades use
apprenticeship to build a
more professional, well-
trained workforce.
SKILLED TRADES &
APPRENTICESHIP
Skilled Trade # of apprenticeship
programs in the US
Plumbing >1,000
Construction 908
Manufacturing >1,000
Tech/computer support 560
Electrician >1,000
Equipment operation &
engineering >1,000
Mechanical >1,000
Telecommunications 328
Arboriculture <10
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-job-finder
9. Openlands Arborist Registered
Apprenticeship (ARA)
9
ARA
Municipal
(employers &
trainers)
Labor &
workforce
development
(support)
Commercial tree
care (employers
& trainers)
Openlands
(employer &
program
sponsor)
10. WISCONSIN ARBORIST APPRENTICESHIP
Enrolls existing employees into program for classroom training.
10
WAA Community
college (trainer)
Commercial
tree care
(sponsor &
employer)
11. All tree care industry partners can play a
role in apprenticeship
Non-profit
Commercial
tree care
Municipal
Education Workforce
development
14. Source: Urban Forestry 2020 Project, funded by the USFS through the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory
Council. (Data: 2014-2016)
Job Opportunities for Arborists
18. Career Pathways in Arboriculture
Source: ISA, https://www.isa-arbor.com/Careers/Careers-in-
Arboriculture/Career-Paths-Flowchart
19. EMPLOYEE
RETENTION
•High turnover rates
• 40% in first 3 months
•Paying higher wages for better
quality candidates
•No experience -> steep
learning curve
19 NatureWorks: Exploring the Green
Infrastructure Workforce (2017)
20. EMPLOYEE
RETENTION
Benefits of apprenticeship
•93% of apprentices retain
employment
•Investing in employees reduces
turnover
•Dedicated time for training
•Employees feel more valued
20
apprenticeship.gov
21. LACKING DIVERSITY
•Not enough women or diverse
communities represented
• 10% women
• 95% white
•Perception of industry
21 Kuhns, M.R., Bragg, H. A., & Blahna, D.J. (2002). Involvement of
women & minorities in the urban forestry profession.
22. LACKING DIVERSITY
Benefits of apprenticeship
•Reduces employment barriers
•Alternative to higher education
•Arboriculture as a skilled trade
•Representation matters
22
24. BENEFITS OF APPRENTICESHIP
For every dollar spent on apprenticeship, employers
may get an average of $1.47 back in increased
productivity, reduced waste, and greater frontline
innovation.
24
Fact Sheet: Investing $90 Million Through
Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of Labor, (April 21, 2016)
25. MONETARY BENEFITS OF
APPRENTICESHIP
Recruitment &
hiring costs
Productivity
& retention
Workforce
development $$$
• Less turnover -> lower
costs to recruit, hire &
onboard new staff
• Lowers long-term
training costs
• Improves productivity &
profitability
• Offers flexibility in
training
• Funding for training
through WIOA
• Wraparound services for
apprentices
26. MONETARY BENEFITS OF
APPRENTICESHIP
Tax credits &
wage subsidies
Greater business
opportunities
Inflation
Reduction Act
• IL - $3,500 tax credit
per apprentice
• +$1,500 for
underserved apprentice
or business location
• Projects & bids specific
to apprenticeship
• IL Works Act – capital
funded projects to use
10% apprentice labor
• Funding for green
infrastructure & green
jobs
• Apprenticeship-specific
federal funding
27. PARTNER TESTIMONIAL
“I lucked out entering the industry with a small company
that really helped me learn good arboricultural practices. I
was thinking that if I didn’t have that I would have wanted
to go through a program like you are running. I appreciate
your work on this.”
-Ryan Sherman, Davey Tree Experts
27
28. APPRENTICE TESTIMONIALS
“I think this is an amazing program
and I am so grateful to be apart of it.”
-Grace Ehlinger, 2022 ARA Cohort
28
“This program has put me
in a very good position to
be an arborist and acquire
new skills that will allow
me to branch out in this
industry.”
-Lisa Mende, 2021 ARA
Cohort
“The best part is the training – I
love being outside and applying
everything we learn in the field.”
-Emmanuel Gamez, 2022 ARA Cohort
29. 29
• Registered apprenticeship can further professionalize our industry
• All urban forestry professionals can participate
• Partnerships are key for a successful program
• Registered apprenticeship can help solve issues in our industry
• Urban forestry can benefit from investing in training our workforce
• Current and future funding opportunities for working with
apprenticeship
Key Takeaways
