States and universities are providing new blueprints for making college-based, paid apprenticeships the backbone of new workforce pipelines. “Every year, millions of Americans turn down the promise of a degree because they need to work,” Joe Ross, president of Reach University, said at a June Congressional hearing on modernizing the nation’s apprenticeship system. “Many take jobs in the very schools and hospitals where employers can’t fill the higher-paying roles that require postsecondary credentials.” Stringent accreditation standards, state regulations and a lack of federal guidance have stymied degree-embedded apprenticeships. Witnesses at the U.S. House hearing last month argued that financial aid, employer buy-in and reduced administrative barriers can support uniform growth nationally. One way K12, community colleges and universities can better cultivate relationships with employers is by aligning curriculum and learner pathways with on-site workforce training programs.