From Idea to Apprenticeship in Four Weeks: The Group Sponsorship Playbook

The Problem: Too many apprenticeship programs never make it off the whiteboard. The interest is there, the need is urgent, but for most employers the administrative burden, compliance requirements, and up-front investment feel like a mountain too high to climb. The result? Missed opportunities to solve critical workforce shortages and build loyal, skilled talent pipelines.

The Solution: Group sponsorship flips the script. Instead of every employer building a program from scratch — navigating compliance, reporting, and administration for just one or two apprentices who may not even complete — a single sponsor, often a nonprofit intermediary or industry association, takes on the heavy lifting. They handle registration, paperwork, training coordination, and compliance, freeing employers to focus on what they do best: developing and retaining top talent.

The Proof: In this session, you’ll hear from two leaders who know this model inside and out. Brandy Gonzalez of Florida Trade Academy will share how her nonprofit intermediary model makes it simple for private-sector employers and industry groups to plug directly into high-quality apprenticeship programs. Natasha Sherwood, National Director for Chapter and Workforce Development with the Independent Electrical Contractors of America (IEC), will bring the employer’s perspective, showing how group sponsorship delivered immediate ROI, improved retention, and strengthened the talent pipeline.

You Should Attend If: You’re an intermediary looking to move into group sponsorship, an industry association ready to serve your members, an employer looking for solutions, or a policymaker looking for scalable solutions. You’ll leave knowing exactly how group sponsorship works, why it works, and how to take the first step toward making it work for you.