Apprenticeship 2.0

Hosted by Reach University

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Apprenticeship 2.0 is a twice-monthly, national podcast covering the ever-changing landscape of apprenticeship. The podcast explores the latest industry trends and uncovers the most significant innovative strategies, success stories, and best practices in the field. Our target audience is anyone intrigued by apprenticeships, including students, working professionals, educators, and creative strategists in the evolving job market. Our guests include thought leaders, industry professionals, educators, and apprentices themselves, who share their experiences from the field and shed light on the developments shaping the future of apprenticeships in the United States. The podcast is supported by Reach University, a trailblazer in apprenticeship degree pathways, and is hosted by Joe Ross, President of Reach University, a prominent thought leaders in apprenticeship innovation.

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60 recent

August 17, 2026Episode 7545 min

Building on an Innovative Workforce Strategy in Rural Colorado

In this episode, Joe chats with Mark Gregory, CTE Coordinator at Colorado River BOCES, and Jeff Barratt, President and CEO of Associated General Contractors of Colorado. Together, they discuss rural workforce development in western Colorado, workforce challenges in rural communities and apprenticeship as a local talent strategy, skilled trades career pathways, employer-led apprenticeship and training partnerships, how the Opportunity Now grant has helped to bolster career opportunities in rural Colorado, Project SCALE and construction talent pipeline development, apprenticeship pathway expansion in Colorado, and much more. Music by Evgeny Bardyuzha from Pixabay .

August 3, 2026Episode 7447 min

ICAD 2026 Preview: Moving the Apprenticeship Degree Forward Through Partnership

In this episode, Joe chats with Dr. Holly Smith, Executive Director and Vice President of Apprenticeship Degree Design at the National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree, and Matthew McKenney, President and CEO of JobForward . Together, they discuss the partnership between NCAD and JobForward , why the partnership makes sense and why now is the right time for it, reflections from the I nternational C onvening for the A pprenticeship D egree (ICAD) 2025 and what to look forward to at ICAD 20 26 , how listeners can work with NCAD and JobForward in the future, and much more . Read Inside Higher Ed 's "The A pprenticeship Wish List" at https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/alternative-credentials/2026/06/29/apprenticeship-wish-list . Music by Evgeny Bardyuzha from Pixabay .

July 20, 2026Episode 7331 min

Crafting an Innovative and Expansive Workforce Strategy in Colorado

In this episode, Joe chats with Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and Andrew Sutliff, Apprentice at CoorsTek . Together, they discuss t he role of economic development initiatives in strengthening Colorado's workforce; Colorado's Opportunity Now initiative and investment in apprenticeships, higher education, and skills-based learning; innovative workforce initiatives that connect learners with in-demand careers; expanding apprenticeship opportunities across urban and rural communities; Andrew' s experience earning while learning in advanced manufacturing; the future of apprenticeship and work-based pathways to high-demand careers in Colorado; and much more. Music by Evgeny Bardyuzha from Pixabay .

July 13, 2026Episode 7237 min

Building Stronger Foundations for Skilled Trades Careers in Arizona

In this episode, Joe chats with Sidney Hawkins, Director of Apprenticeship at the Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA), and Drake Williams, Apprentice for Delta Diversified Enterprises . Together, they discuss a pprenticeship in Arizona and the ABA's workforce mission; the role of apprenticeship in addressing labor shortages; building high-quality apprenticeship programs and expanding career pathways; changing perceptions of the skilled trades and engaging the next generation; Drake's journey through work-based learning and career development; the future of apprenticeship and opportunities to combine education with paid hands-on experience; and much more. Learn more about the ABA's apprenticeship programs at www.azbuilders.org/apprenticeships . Music by Evgeny Bardyuzha from Pixabay .

June 29, 2026Episode 7149 min

Inside North Carolina's Apprenticeship Ecosystem

In this episode, Joe chats with Analisa Archer, Senior Director of Policy at EducationNC ; Caroline Sullivan, Executive Director of the North Carolina Business Committee for Education; and Dr. Chris Harrington, Director of ApprenticeshipNC , North Carolina's State Apprenticeship Agency . Together, they discuss North Carolina's rise as an apprenticeship leader, the growth of apprenticeship programs across the state, youth apprenticeship and high school pathways, expanding apprenticeship into new industries and sectors in the state, how other states could replicate North Carolina's model, apprenticeship funding and sustainability, employer engagement in North Carolina apprenticeship, the role of community colleges in supporting apprenticeship growth , and much more. Read Analisa's recent article, "Apprenticeships are on the rise in North Carolina. Will that growth continue?" at www.ednc.org/apprenticeships-are-on-the-rise-in-north-carolina-will-that-growth-continue . Music by Evgeny Bardyuzha from Pixabay .

June 15, 2026Episode 7040 min

A Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway and the Partnerships Behind It

In this episode, Joe and guest co-host Dr. Anastasia Wickham, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Reach University, chat with Kristi Kirschner, Board President of edwell ; Tamika Bartley, Success Coach Coordinator, Registered Apprenticeship Program, Sheldon Independent School District in Texas; and Alexandra Perez, Student at Reach University and AVID Tutor Manager transitioning into the role of Teacher Resident at Null Middle School, 6th Grade Reading and Writing, in Sheldon ISD . Together, they discuss what motivated Sheldon ISD to invest in a teacher apprenticeship pathway as part of its long-term workforce strategy , how the district has grown its teacher apprenticeship program with help from edwell , overcoming barriers to successful apprenticeship program implementation in the district, what the program has meant for t eacher development and effectiveness in the district, what inspired Alexandra to pursue a teacher apprenticeship pathway through Reach, how her experience is shaping her career as an educator in Sheldon ISD, and much more. Music by Evgeny Bardyuzha from Pixabay .

June 8, 2026Episode 6943 min

Advancing Apprenticeship in the Rural U.S.: Leading Lessons From Montana

In this episode, Joe chats with Glen Disque, Director of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program; Madeline Boehm, Registered Apprenticeship Program Manager at Health Career Advancement Program (H-CAP); and Zach Boren, Senior Vice President at Apprenticeships for America . Together, they discuss the success and growth of Registered Apprenticeship in Montana, including the immense rise of healthcare apprenticeship s ; plans to continue the growth of apprenticeship in the state; why rural areas are so ripe for investment in apprenticeship; necessary advocacy for apprenticeship funding and investment on a national front; and much more. Music by Evgeny Bardyuzha from Pixabay .

June 1, 2026Episode 6854 min

What's Next for Apprenticeship in the U.S.

In this episode, Joe chats with John Colborn, Executive Director of Apprenticeships for America. Together, they discuss John's journey in the apprenticeship space, pay-for-performance strategies such as the Trump administration funding for the Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program, AFA's grading of the administration on its efforts to grow apprenticeship, the impact of apprenticeship in a few successful states and how apprenticeship varies across states, the power of the intermediary in expanding ap prenticeship , opportunities to redefine and diversify apprenticeship in the U.S. , how the value of experience and work-based learning are evolving, and much more. Read AFA's Administration Report Card . Get John Dewey's Experience & Education . Music by Evgeny Bardyuzha from Pixabay .

May 18, 2026Episode 6750 min

Higher Education's Push Toward a New Value Proposition

In this episode, Joe and guest co-host D oug Lederman , Principal of Lederman Advisory Services and Co-founder and former Editor of Inside Higher Ed , chat with Colleen Flaherty, Senior Editor of Special Content at Inside Higher Ed , and Sara Weissman, Senior Reporter at Inside Higher Ed . Together, they discuss the most important developments in higher ed today, how higher ed leaders are aiming to change the narrative surrounding higher ed's value, why higher ed is leaning into apprenticeships and other alternative career pathways , how alternative pathways can support access and affordability efforts for underrepresented populations , and much more. Read Colleen's recent Inside Higher Ed articles: https://www.insidehighered.com/author/colleen-flaherty Read Sara's recent Inside Higher Ed articles: https://www.insidehighered.com/author/sara-weissman Read Doug's recent "Tough Love" columns: https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/columns/tough-love Check out Inside Higher Ed 's apprenticeship series collection: https://www.insidehighered.com/collections/apprenticeships-learning-work Music by Evgeny Bardyuzha from Pixabay .

May 1, 202615 min

Bonus Episode: A Supercut in Honor of National Apprenticeship Week

In honor of National Apprenticeship Week, Joe tees up a handful of memorable clips from past episodes of Apprenticeship 2.0. Hear insights from Kathleen deLaski, Founder and Board Chair of the Education Design Lab; Dr. Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, Co-Founder of Reach University and Oxford Teachers Academy, and current President of Craft Education at Western Governors University; Alison Griffin, Principal Consultant at FutureRise; Ryan Craig, Author and Investor behind Achieve Partners and Apprenticeships for America; Jeff Selingo, higher education thought leader and longtime higher ed journalist; and Shalin Jyotishi, Founder and Managing Director of New America's Future of Work and Innovation Economy Initiative. Listen to the full episodes: deLaski: Examining Alternative Higher Education Pathways Dwinal-Palisch: In Pursuit of a More Viable Career Pathway Griffin and Selingo: Rethinking the College-to-Career Pipeline Craig: Reframing the Conversation Around Apprenticeship Degrees and Higher Ed Jyotishi: The Convergence of AI and Apprenticeship Music by Evgeny Bardyuzha from Pixabay .