The El Camino College Business Training Center has teamed up with OpenClassrooms — a leading online education platform provider — to deliver apprenticeship training for employees seeking to enhance their skills to work as data analysts, help desk technicians, application developers or digital marketers.
Jose Anaya, dean, Community Advancement, El Camino College, said, “Our partnership with OpenClassrooms combines an award-winning learning platform with the Business Training Center’s extensive experience and expertise in collaborating with regional employers on all aspects of their workforce development needs.”
Anaya added, “Due to a grant we received from The California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI) — a program established by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to develop new and innovative apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training programs across the state — we can offer these Department of Labor–registered apprenticeship programs at no cost to employers.”
Why upskilling your employees with an apprenticeship program makes good business sense.
By offering apprenticeship training that enhances skills and knowledge, employers not only strengthen their workforce but also realize increased employee productivity, improved employee retention and enhancedemployee engagement. Additionally, by providing regular training opportunities, employees are empowered to stay current with industry trends and technologies, boosting their competence and, in turn, improving organizational performance.
In an article by Forbes, Courtney Pace of FedEx Employees Credit Association states, “Accessible on-demand training gives employees agency to pursue their career goals, lean into their interests and take their future into their own hands. Employees are much more likely to stay in a job where they feel support and [have] opportunities to grow. Even if they move to a different position within the company, they will stay with your company because they know they have a future with you.”
Sadé Garcia, U.S. senior program manager for OpenClassrooms, explained, “We have seen a lot of interest from employers who are seeking to upskill their existing workforce. For example, they may have someone working as a project manager, but the company wants to bolster its marketing efforts and is in need of a digital marketer. By participating in our Registered Apprenticeship program through the Business Training Center, that employee can gain valuable in-demand skills and transition into a new position. It’s a win-win for the employer and employee.”
A unique approach to apprenticeship training
OpenClassrooms’ learning method comprises two crucial elements:
- Professional project-driven learning. This provides learners with hands-on experience and real-world applications that enhance problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Each apprentice is encouraged to align their project with their current work challenges, so they develop skills that are directly applicable to their roles.
- Dedicated mentoring sessions. Each apprenticeship program participant is assigned a mentor who is available via video conference on a weekly basis to offer guidance on projects, to help define project objectives, and to coach learners until the completion of the project.
Garcia added, “We have a dedicated mentorship team that matches each participant with an ideal mentor — one who is aligned with the student’s interests and career path aspirations. That mentor works with the learner for the duration of their project.”
Yvett Rebelo, senior global product marketing manager for Openclassrooms remarked, “A key benefit of our platform is our commitment to quality. We create and regularly update all training curriculum content, ensuring apprentices gain the most up-to-date tools and methodologies. This empowers them to apply their new knowledge on the job immediately, contributing to their own growth, strengthening their workplace, and ultimately benefiting the broader community.”
What is a Registered Apprenticeship and how does it differ from other types of workplace training?
On the website apprenticeship.gov, Registered Apprenticeships are described as follows:
“Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, and progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally recognized credential. Registered Apprenticeships are industry-vetted and are approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency.”
A Registered Apprenticeship is different from other types of workplace training programs in several ways:
- Industry-led – Programs are industry-vetted and -approved to ensure alignment with industry standards and that apprentices are trained for highly skilled, high-demand occupations.
- Paid job – Registered Apprenticeships are jobs! Apprentices earn progressive wages as their skills and productivity increase.
- Structured on-the-job learning – Programs provide structured on-the-job training to prepare for a successful career, which includes instruction from an experienced mentor.
- Supplemental education – Apprentices are provided supplemental classroom education based on the employers’ unique training needs to ensure quality and success.
- Diversity – Programs are designed to reflect the communities in which they operate through strong non-discrimination, anti-harassment and recruitment practices to ensure access, equity and inclusion.
- Quality and safety – Apprentices are afforded worker protections while receiving rigorous training to equip them with the skills they need to succeed and the proper training and supervision they need to be safe.
- Credentials – Apprentices earn a portable, nationally recognized credential within their industry.
Employee eligibility requirements:
Currently working employees must meet the following criteria to enroll in the no-cost apprenticeship program:
- Be 18 years of age and have the right to work in the U.S.
- Have a proficient level of English; for non-native speakers, a CEFR level of B2, an IELTS band score of 6.5, or a TOEFL score of 80 is recommended
- Have a high school/secondary school degree, vocational certificate or equivalent
- Have access to a computer (PC or Mac), headphones, a webcam and a stable internet connection
- Additional prerequisites may be required for your selected program
About the Business Training Center at El Camino College
El Camino College Business Training Center’s (BTC) mission is to help regional employers remain successful, competitive and prosperous in today’s global economy. It realizes this mission by providing employee training programs that help enhance productivity, increase employee engagement, and improve profitability of small and large businesses. The BTC specializes in providing training programs for myriad types of organizations including aerospace manufacturers, space exploration, transportation and logistics, information technology, and media and entertainment companies. Areas of specialized training include cybersecurity, continuous improvement, leadership development, supply chain management (APICS) and workplace skills.
For more information on the no-cost OpenClassrooms Registered Apprenticeship programs offered by the Business Training Center, please contact:
Eldon R. Davidson
Director, Center for Customized Training
El Camino College – Business Training Center
13430 Hawthorne Blvd.Hawthorne, CA 90250
Email: [email protected]