1.
Registered
Apprenticeship
The Future of Workforce Development in
Urban Forestry

2.
Presentation Overview
2
• What is Apprenticeship?
• Different to other training programs
• Examples of apprenticeship in
arboriculture
• Partnerships in apprenticeship
• Why Apprenticeship?
• Solves issues in the industry
• Benefits of registered
apprenticeship

3.
WHAT IS REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP?
3

4.
REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP
An industry driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can
develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain
paid work experience, receive progressive wage increases, classroom
instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.
4 apprenticeship.gov

5.
How are apprenticeships different than
other workforce training programs?
Industry led
Structured &
paid training
Creating standards
across the industry • On-the-job learning
• Mentorship
• Supplemental
education
• Diversity
• Quality & safety
• Credentials
apprenticeship.gov

6.
6
Various skilled trades use
apprenticeship to build a
more professional, well-
trained workforce.
SKILLED TRADES &
APPRENTICESHIP
Skilled Trade # of apprenticeship
programs in the US
Plumbing >1,000
Construction 908
Manufacturing >1,000
Tech/computer support 560
Electrician >1,000
Equipment operation &
engineering >1,000
Mechanical >1,000
Telecommunications 328
Arboriculture <10
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-job-finder

7.
APPRENTICESHIP IN ARBORICULTURE
7
Examples from Openlands & Wisconsin

8.
Openlands Arborist Registered
Apprenticeship (ARA)
9
ARA
Municipal
(employers &
trainers)
Labor &
workforce
development
(support)
Commercial tree
care (employers
& trainers)
Openlands
(employer &
program
sponsor)

9.
WISCONSIN ARBORIST APPRENTICESHIP
Enrolls existing employees into program for classroom training.
10
WAA Community
college (trainer)
Commercial
tree care
(sponsor &
employer)

10.
All tree care industry partners can play a
role in apprenticeship
Non-profit
Commercial
tree care
Municipal
Education Workforce
development

11.
WHY APPRENTICESHIP?
12
Identifying workforce issues in the tree care industry and how
registered apprenticeship can help solve them.

12.
WORKFORCE
SHORTAGE
•Tree care industry is growing!
•Higher demand for better
trained workers
•Difficulty hiring quality
candidates
13

13.
Source: Urban Forestry 2020 Project, funded by the USFS through the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory
Council. (Data: 2014-2016)
Job Opportunities for Arborists

14.
WORKFORCE
SHORTAGE
Benefits of apprenticeship
•Entry-level opportunities
•Structured training & curriculum
•Approved by the industry!
•Broader recruitment
opportunities
15

15.
INDUSTRY
VISIBILITY
•Lack of awareness &
understanding
•Word of mouth hiring
•Job vs. career
16

16.
INDUSTRY
VISIBILITY
Benefits of apprenticeship
•Utilizing partners & local
workforce development
agencies
•Apprenticeship provides a clear
career pathway
•College degree not required
17

17.
Career Pathways in Arboriculture
Source: ISA, https://www.isa-arbor.com/Careers/Careers-in-
Arboriculture/Career-Paths-Flowchart

18.
EMPLOYEE
RETENTION
•High turnover rates
• 40% in first 3 months
•Paying higher wages for better
quality candidates
•No experience -> steep
learning curve
19 NatureWorks: Exploring the Green
Infrastructure Workforce (2017)

19.
EMPLOYEE
RETENTION
Benefits of apprenticeship
•93% of apprentices retain
employment
•Investing in employees reduces
turnover
•Dedicated time for training
•Employees feel more valued
20
apprenticeship.gov

20.
LACKING DIVERSITY
•Not enough women or diverse
communities represented
• 10% women
• 95% white
•Perception of industry
21 Kuhns, M.R., Bragg, H. A., & Blahna, D.J. (2002). Involvement of
women & minorities in the urban forestry profession.

21.
LACKING DIVERSITY
Benefits of apprenticeship
•Reduces employment barriers
•Alternative to higher education
•Arboriculture as a skilled trade
•Representation matters
22

22.
WHY APPRENTICESHIP?
23
What are the benefits for working with apprenticeship in arboriculture?

23.
BENEFITS OF APPRENTICESHIP
For every dollar spent on apprenticeship, employers
may get an average of $1.47 back in increased
productivity, reduced waste, and greater frontline
innovation.
24
Fact Sheet: Investing $90 Million Through
Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of Labor, (April 21, 2016)

24.
MONETARY BENEFITS OF
APPRENTICESHIP
Recruitment &
hiring costs
Productivity
& retention
Workforce
development $$$
• Less turnover -> lower
costs to recruit, hire &
onboard new staff
• Lowers long-term
training costs
• Improves productivity &
profitability
• Offers flexibility in
training
• Funding for training
through WIOA
• Wraparound services for
apprentices

25.
MONETARY BENEFITS OF
APPRENTICESHIP
Tax credits &
wage subsidies
Greater business
opportunities
Inflation
Reduction Act
• IL - $3,500 tax credit
per apprentice
• +$1,500 for
underserved apprentice
or business location
• Projects & bids specific
to apprenticeship
• IL Works Act – capital
funded projects to use
10% apprentice labor
• Funding for green
infrastructure & green
jobs
• Apprenticeship-specific
federal funding

26.
PARTNER TESTIMONIAL
“I lucked out entering the industry with a small company
that really helped me learn good arboricultural practices. I
was thinking that if I didn’t have that I would have wanted
to go through a program like you are running. I appreciate
your work on this.”
-Ryan Sherman, Davey Tree Experts
27

27.
APPRENTICE TESTIMONIALS
“I think this is an amazing program
and I am so grateful to be apart of it.”
-Grace Ehlinger, 2022 ARA Cohort
28
“This program has put me
in a very good position to
be an arborist and acquire
new skills that will allow
me to branch out in this
industry.”
-Lisa Mende, 2021 ARA
Cohort
“The best part is the training – I
love being outside and applying
everything we learn in the field.”
-Emmanuel Gamez, 2022 ARA Cohort

28.
29
• Registered apprenticeship can further professionalize our industry
• All urban forestry professionals can participate
• Partnerships are key for a successful program
• Registered apprenticeship can help solve issues in our industry
• Urban forestry can benefit from investing in training our workforce
• Current and future funding opportunities for working with
apprenticeship
Key Takeaways

29.
THANK YOU!
Katie Fleming
Senior Forestry Program Manager, Openlands
Phone
312-863-6275
Email
kfleming@openlands.org