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Skill Development in Middle Level Occupations: The Role of Apprenticeship Training

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  • Lerman, Robert I.

    (Urban Institute)

Abstract

Concerns about the polarization of the labor market are widespread. However, countries vary widely in strategies for strengthening jobs at intermediate levels of skill. This paper examines the diversity of approaches to apprenticeship and related training for middle-level occupations. We begin by defining and describing middle-skills occupations, largely in terms of education and experience. The next step is to describe skill requirements and alternative approaches to preparing and upgrading the skills of individuals for these occupations. Programs of academic education and apprenticeship programs emphasizing work-based learning have often competed for the same space but the full picture reveals significant numbers of complementarities. Third, we consider the evidence on the costs and effectiveness of apprenticeship training in several countries. The final section highlights empirical and policy research results concerning the advantages of apprenticeship training for intermediate level skills, jobs, and careers.

Suggested Citation

  • Lerman, Robert I., 2013. "Skill Development in Middle Level Occupations: The Role of Apprenticeship Training," IZA Policy Papers 61, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izapps:pp61
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Pierre Cahuc & Stéphane Carcillo & Ulf Rinne & Klaus Zimmermann, 2013. "Youth unemployment in old Europe: the polar cases of France and Germany," IZA Journal of European Labor Studies, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 2(1), pages 1-23, December.
    2. repec:idb:brikps:7203 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Robert Lerman, 2019. "Do firms benefit from apprenticeship investments?," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 1-55, October.
    4. Allison Forbes, 2018. "A Measure of Interdependence: Skill in the Supply Chain," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 32(4), pages 326-340, November.
    5. Verónica Alaimo & Mariano Bosch & David S. Kaplan & Carmen Pagés & Laura Ripani, 2015. "Jobs for Growth," IDB Publications (Books), Inter-American Development Bank, number 90977, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    training; apprenticeship; skills;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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