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KDI 경제교육·정보센터

ENG
  • 경제배움
  • Economic

    Information

    and Education

    Center

최신자료
Building an evidence base for the business case for apprenticeships
Brookings
2026.04.21
This report presents a framework for iterative learning: pilot program designs, gather data, refine approaches, and build better tools. Priority research areas include rapid-cycle testing of program design features, comparative analysis of the costs and benefits of different talent pipelines, and more systematic, industry-specific studies of how apprenticeships create value for employers.

We can build on international evidence to generate theories, develop comparative research, and learn from their data collection strategies and methods. Three key findings from our interviews and literature scan are:

1. A positive ROI for business is possible, but not universal―and there are multiple paths to a business case.
2. The biggest benefits are often hardest to measure, so ROI alone may not be the best metric to capture the actual business case.
3. We need better evidence, but we can’t wait for perfect data.

The report concludes with recommendations for intermediaries, policymakers, funders, and employers to build the evidence base of what works for employer ROI iteratively over time. Intermediaries should focus on identifying which companies can benefit most, what design features improve employer ROI, how to make sure employers are not taking on unnecessary costs, and providing insights to educate employers about how to optimize the value employers get from participating in apprenticeships.