Improving the Recruitment and Retention of Construction Apprentices through Oregon’s Highway Construction Workforce Development Program

Oregon’s Highway Construction Workforce Development Program aims to improve the recruitment and retention of a diverse construction workforce, through pre-apprenticeships that provide alternative pathways into apprenticeship as well as financial and non-financial retention services that aim to help apprentices complete their apprenticeships. This evaluation research examines the impact of the Program on recruitment and retention trends, drawing on administrative data from the Program as well as interviews with program participants. We find pre-apprenticeship programs have improved the recruitment of women into the trades. We further find that non-financial services, ready supplies, and childcare services have a positive impact on completion, with receipt of non-financial support having the largest impact on completion. Gas/travel services are positively associated with completion among apprentices of color. Interview data suggest that additional support services for apprentices as well as structural changes to the industry are needed to achieve construction workforce diversity goals.