Vocational training programs and apprenticeships create well-defined pathways to success. This approach to career advancement is gathering momentum in industries across the U.S. The franchising community has an opportunity to be at the forefront of the movement to expand the use of apprenticeship programs to help close the skills gap.

By Rep. Bobby L. Rush  (D-Ill.)
 
Internships and vocational training are essential to the development of the 21st century workforce. The ability to learn on the job and have a set career destination can provide both a much-needed entry point and a long-term path to success. Franchising offers another benefit — the unique chance to own a small business and be your own boss, while directly impacting your community by providing jobs and opportunities for youth that are fundamental to America’s future, as well as veterans, minorities, women and underserved segments of the workforce.
 
As someone who’s represented Chicago’s First District for more than 20 years, I have experienced first-hand how apprenticeship programs can help unemployed and low-income youth find careers and learn life lessons. No single issue is more important to the future of our communities than jobs, and apprenticeships provide meaningful opportunities for advancement.
 
The benefits of on-the-job training are numerous. In the energy sector, workforce training programs may soon get a boost from a bipartisan bill that passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in June. The bill directs the U.S. Department of Energy to connect individuals with job training programs — with an emphasis on low-income and under-represented communities — while improving existing programs for energy and manufacturing jobs. This initiative to increase workforce training in the energy sector can be replicated across many industries, and franchising can be a prime catalyst in this effort.

Apprenticeship Opportunities Expanding

According to Department of Labor statistics, the number of active apprenticeship programs in the U.S. has increased every year for the past five years, while the number of new apprentices has gone up each year since FY2010. The franchise business model plays an important role in continuing these long-term uptrends, and many franchise companies are enhancing existing programs and launching new ones.
 
One example of apprenticeship programs already in place can be seen at North Chicago’s own BrightStar Care, whose CEO, Shelly Sun, CFE, is the current Chair of the International Franchise Association Board of Directors. At BrightStar Care’s location in Madison, Wisc., several initiatives, including a career ladder and caregiver to certified nursing assistant initiatives as well as nursing school courses, are part of the company’s career progression program. Tuition reimbursement and caregiver training programs are in place at BrightStar Care in Fort Collins, Colo., and a “runner” path to an office management role is available in Denver and Littleton, Colo.
 
These programs represent the blossoming role of apprenticeship and vocational training initiatives across the franchising community. Other examples include the Moran Family of Brands, which launched its Future Auto Tech internship program across its network of 120 locations in June, and many other franchise brands, such as AAMCO, ACE Hardware, Christian Brothers Automotive Technicians, The Dwyer Group, Express Employment Professionals, Jiffy Lube, Jimmy John’s, Marco’s Pizza, ServiceMaster, The UPS Store and lawn care provider Weed Man USA.

Franchising Moves Economy Forward

I have long been a supporter of IFA’s efforts to increase opportunities in franchising through apprenticeships and training. In 2007, I spoke at an IFA-hosted Franchise Business Conference in my hometown of Chicago that involved the cooperation of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Chicago Urban League and other Chicago-area organizations dedicated to diversity and creating business opportunities for women, minorities and underserved youth. These kinds of local events that encourage franchising as a path to business ownership, which IFA regularly hosts, serve as an essential element to moving the economy forward.
 
The small-businesses community, and especially franchise businesses, should embrace the bipartisan effort to increase apprenticeships and vocational training as methods to empower youth and brighten the economy’s future.
 
U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) has represented the state’s First District since 1993. An ordained minister, Rush served in the U.S. Army and has a Master’s degree in Theology. He is the Ranking Democratic Member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Energy Subcommittee.
 

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