How to Become a Participating
Employer With GAP

A Guide for Employers

Ready to be part of a collaborative consortium of businesses invested in seeing the local community thrive?

As a participating employer with Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP), you’ll have access to the resources you need to attract the best talent, including connections with local school systems, state-funded entities, and community organizations. These all help build a steady stream of employees trained to fill a broad range of roles within your organization. See how you can start gaining a strategic operating advantage in the marketplace and experience positive ROI as a GAP-registered youth apprenticeship provider.

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a GAP Employer

Wondering how to get started? These are the five steps to follow.

Contact GAP Director, Ann Flynt, at (336) 790-9620 or aflynt@cfgg.com to schedule an initial in-person or Zoom video meeting. During this meeting, you’ll discuss your company’s specific needs, review the benefits of youth apprenticeship, and gain an overview of the GAP partnership.

Attend a GAP event, join a group meeting, or take part in an individual discussion with a current participating employer. Hear from other companies firsthand, and gain valuable insights into the advantages and challenges of implementing a youth apprenticeship program. See how you can set up a program that offers on-the-job training and career opportunities for your next-generation workforce.

You’ll also want to make sure you’re able to meet the criteria for a state-recognized apprenticeship program. This includes: 

  • On-the-job training
  • Business involvement in which apprentices are paid employees
  • Related formal education at the community college level, where apprentices are paid to learn
  • Wage progression as apprentice skill sets grow
  • Recognized, transferable credentials upon program completion

GAP offers numerous resources, including data, case studies, and testimonials, to help companies make informed decisions.

We’re excited to welcome you to the GAP community, where collaboration and growth are at the core of our mission. To get started, you’ll need to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and pay your annual membership.

Sign the Memorandum of Understanding

To formalize your partnership with GAP, you’ll need to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This document represents a formal commitment between your company and GAP, outlining the mutual responsibilities and expectations for a successful collaboration. By signing the MOU, you agree to participate actively in the program, which is crucial for your membership consideration. Review the MOU carefully, sign it, and submit it as directed in the instructions provided by GAP.

Pay Your Annual Membership

Paying your annual membership dues to participate in the GAP program is an investment in your company’s future. These dues provide you with access to a network of skilled apprentices, valuable resources, and ongoing support, ensuring that your workforce remains competitive and highly trained. By contributing to the GAP program, you’re not only enhancing your own business but also supporting the growth and development of the local workforce and community.

We will guide you through every step of the process. You’ll receive help with the following and gain support that will continue throughout your membership with GAP.  

  • Initial orientation and onboarding: Just like with your company’s HR process, GAP membership starts with initial orientation and onboarding. During this time, we will work with you through a startup checklist and connect you with other GAP members for peer shadowing so you can see how other companies with youth apprenticeship programs run.
  • Mentoring and monthly meetings: As you’re getting started, you’ll encounter new situations, which is one of the reasons why mentoring among GAP members is so important. This support extends beyond the “getting started” phase and is available to help you when inevitably challenging situations come up along the way. You’ll always have someone to turn to for advice and to answer questions about how to navigate particular scenarios. 
  • Seasonal sales cycle strategies: Discover strategies for aligning recruiting efforts to the seasonal cycles of the local area school systems. Learn from other GAP companies, as you hear what’s worked and what hasn’t for them.
  • Important dates for interested companies:
    • Mid-September: Deadline to be included in the current year’s recruitment and the date when high school recruitment visits begin 
    • October and November: When community nights take place
    • November 1: Apprenticeship application portal opens
    • November through January: Time period for company open houses and tours
    • January 31: Apprenticeship application deadline
    • February through March: Invitational dates when we are vetting apprentice applicants who have met the initial requirements 
    • April: Draft day — when companies pick their apprentices in a draft format
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Benefits of the GAP Network & Ecosystem

As a GAP member, you aren’t going to have to do this on your own. You’ll benefit from an extensive support system available to all GAP employers and be connected to a larger network of companies, schools, and community organizations. In addition, GAP’s highly collaborative environment will allow you to take advantage of the knowledge, resources, and best practices other companies share with you.

“We benefited from GAP’s strong network of companies with proven apprenticeship programs. Through this network, we were able to participate in group community nights, collaborate, learn from each other, and discuss similar challenges and solutions.”

Layel Burton, Apprenticeship Coordinator / ZIEHL-ABEGG

GAP has been an excellent partner for many successful companies across Guilford County, NC, and the surrounding area. Discover how youth apprenticeship can give your company a strategic operating advantage and help you address short-term workforce gaps while pursuing your long-term strategy.

Enhance Your Workforce with GAP’s Ecosystem

With Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP), we’ll help you build a future-ready workforce through our robust ecosystem, supporting you to set up a successful registered youth apprenticeship program. 

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Ready to Explore Youth Apprenticeship Opportunities for Your Company?

Fill out the form below, and our GAP team will reach out to help you get started. You’ll also receive a GAP Company Guide with valuable insights and information.

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