The Times of India

The apprentice: How earn-and-learn pathways are helping US colleges weather a perfect storm, and what you need to know

US colleges are increasingly adopting earn-and-learn apprenticeship pathways to address challenges in enrolment, affordability and workforce readiness. Howard Community College and other institutions are expanding programmes beyond skilled trades into fields like nursing, IT and childcare, offering paid work and credit-bearing credentials. Participation has more than doubled nationally, supported by federal incentives and pay-for-performance funding. Apprenticeships combine structured on-the-job learning with academic instruction, providing debt-free, industry-recognised credentials while integrating workplaces into higher education.