Quality Pre-Apprenticeship (QPA) is a program or set of strategies designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program. Each QPA program has a documented partnership with at least one, if not more, RA program. A QPA program is one that incorporates the following elements:

Approved training and curriculum: Training and curriculum based on industry standards and approved by the documented RA partner(s) that will prepare individuals with the skills and competencies needed to enter one or more RA program(s).

Strategies for long-term success: Strategies that increase RA opportunities for under-represented, disadvantaged or low-skilled individuals such that, upon completion, they will meet the entry requirements, gain consideration, and are prepared for success in one or more RA program(s) including the following:

• Strong recruitment strategies focused on outreach to populations underrepresented in local, state, and national RA programs,
• Educational and pre-vocational services that prepare individuals to meet the entry requisites of one or more RA programs (e.g., specific career and industry awareness workshops, job readiness courses, English for speakers of other languages, Adult Basic education, financial literacy seminars, math tutoring); and
• Assist in exposing participants to local, state, and national RA programs and provides direct assistance to participants applying to those programs.

Access to appropriate supportive services: Facilitates access to appropriate supportive services during the QPA program and a significant portion of the RA program.

Promotes greater use of RA to increase future opportunities: To support the ongoing sustainability of the partnership between QPA providers and RA sponsors, these efforts should collaboratively promote the use of RA as a preferred means for employers to develop a skilled workforce and to create career opportunities for individuals.

Meaningful hands-on training that does not displace paid employees: Provides hands-on training to individuals in a simulated lab experience or through volunteer opportunities, when possible, neither of which supplants a paid employee but accurately simulates the industry and occupational conditions of the partnering RA sponsor(s) while observing proper supervision and safety protocols.

Facilitated Entry and/or Articulation: When possible, formalized agreements exist with RA sponsors that enable individuals who have successfully completed the QPA program to enter directly into a RA program and/or include articulation agreements for earning advanced credit/placement for skills and competencies already acquired.