Butler Community College added to growing list of Kansas Apprenticeship Intermediaries

The amount of Registered Apprenticeships across Kansas is growing, and this past November, KansasWorks, the state’s Office of Apprenticeships, certified Butler Community College as an Apprenticeship Intermediary.

“This means Butler can develop and manage registered apprenticeship programs for large and small employers across all industries,” said Jon Cressler, chief business development officer for BETA, the business development and training arm for Butler.

“As an intermediary, we handle the administrative side of the apprenticeship’s operations, much like a concierge service. We manage all state-required documentation. It puts the onus of the program on Butler, and the employer can enjoy the benefit of gaining the apprentice.”

As part of the designation Butler Community College is also now a Related-Training Instruction (RTI) provider, which means the BETA program can provide a single course as part of an apprenticeship if the company needs it.

“Registered Apprenticeship Intermediaries are a vital component in developing the workforce needed in Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This designation will allow Butler Community College to capitalize on their local relationships and build upon existing training to meet the need of employers and apprentices.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are more than 500,000 apprentices in the U.S.. On average, apprenticeship graduates earn a starting salary of $72,000 and the vast majority end up staying with the company after graduation. It truly is a win-win, with employers gaining supplementing their workforce and workers able to receive training and get paid at the same time without incurring tuition costs or debt.

Registered Apprenticeships are recommended to include 144 hours of classroom instruction and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Training can be provided for credit or noncredit.

“Really, the sky is the limit for the training tracks developed,” Cressler said. “We also have the ability to develop cohorts for certain tracks, or we can place individuals into existing college classes,” said Cressler.

From IT to healthcare to security guard, apprenticeship programs are expanding well beyond the historical programs like plumbing, electrical or welding. As a longtime technical trainer in the region, Butler offers welding, diesel, construction, and auto technology. 

“Our business administration and IT courses are also a huge factor when it comes to apprenticeships,” said Cressler.

“Butler Community College has been supporting Registered Apprenticeship partners and unions for years,” Director of Apprenticeship and Internship Shonda Atwater said. “This ups their game and makes them a one-stop apprenticeship partner for their community. I am excited to see their unique partnerships flourish!”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, for every $1 a business invests in an apprenticeship, they will see a return on investment of around $1.50, which means they are cost effective while providing substantial economic benefits.

Contact Jon Cressler at BETA, (316) 323-6308, or email jcressler@butlercc.edu to learn more about apprenticeship or RTI opportunities.