In STEP 2, you’ll want to consider your portfolio and be mindful of keeping a balance between developing new occupations that are industry-specific and ones that cross industries. Industry-specific occupations are hired by only one industry (e.g., clinical health care or auto technician). Cross-industry occupations are hired by all industries (e.g., database administrator or graphic design roles).

For many organizations, the ideal portfolio mix is: 50 percent of your portfolio or less should be occupations that are highly specialized in one industry, and 50 percent or more should be occupations that run horizontally across industries. This allows your company to be responsive as the demand for specific industries changes with broader fluctuation in the economy. Occupations that run in the industry horizontally allow you to bring on a broader variety of businesses, and allow the apprentice to build a skill set applicable at many companies in many industries.

Pathway Expansion - Portfolio Growth

portfolio balance.jpg

But not all organizations are the same, and so that portfolio mix might not be right for you. Some organizations that deliver youth apprenticeship programs might have emerged from a single industry. If you are a health care association or a building trades labor-management organization, you will focus only on occupations in a single industry vertical.

Take a few minutes to think about your organization’s portfolio. What do you think your organization’s preferred balance is and why? How does the occupation that you are considering impact your portfolio balance?

If the occupation furthers your desired balance, it makes sense to move forward in considering the occupation for a youth apprenticeship.
If the occupation pushes your portfolio too much toward vertical or horizontal occupations relative to your organization’s desired balance, think about why you are considering the occupation.
If the occupation still has many benefits and contributes to the core goals of your organization, it could make sense to move forward in evaluating it for youth apprenticeship, but we recommend that you be more cautious in your selection process.

Your next step is to do some research!

RETURN TO TOP