Registered apprenticeships pair paid, hands-on work with classroom lessons to grow dependable talent. In this Inside IALR episode, host Caleb Ayers talks with:
- Natori Neal – Apprenticeship Coordinator, IALR’s ExTRA program
- Jenny Spitzer – Co-owner, Spitzer Inc. (electrical contractors)
- Josh Arnold – Master Electrician and lead instructor at Spitzer
- Jacob Oakes – Second-year electrical apprentice
They share insights on:
- How a registered apprenticeship is structured, from day-one wages to a journeyman credential
- Building curriculum around the employer’s real work
- Why covering tuition and books helps apprentices focus and stay
- Choosing the right mentors
- Starting with small cohorts to emphasize quality over head-count
- Utilizing the free support from IALR’s EXTRA program for designing, funding and sustaining apprenticeship programs
