Program enables job seekers to test drive careers and employers to build training continuum
Concord, NH (April 27, 2026 ) – On April 9, 2026, ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce training program of the Community College System of NH (CCSNH), partnered with area employers to host the “Pre-Apprenticeship Connection Summit” at NHTI – Concord’s Community College. More than 60 attendees learned about Pre-Apprenticeship Programs as a potential pathway to Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) through information sessions and educational games.
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs combine classroom learning or online tools with on-site job experience to provide individuals with workplace exposure so they can clarify career goals and employers can evaluate potential apprentices. Pre-apprenticeships are typically three months or less and may offer a modest stipend.
“Across New Hampshire and beyond, we’re seeing a surge of interest in Pre-Apprenticeship Programs because they meet people where they are, opening doors to career pathways, building confidence, and creating real connections between learners and employers. Pre-apprenticeship has become a critical entry point, especially for youth and those exploring new careers. Events like the Connection Summit bring that momentum to life,” said Brianna Hayward, grant manager at ApprenticeshipNH and a speaker at the event.
New Hampshire employers are increasingly turning to Pre-Apprenticeship Programs to identify strong candidates for RAPs as early as possible. Jen Legere, owner/director of A Place to Grow, a nature-based early learning center, said she had to get creative as it became increasingly difficult to find employees. She created a formalized workforce funnel, starting with pre-apprenticeships for participants as young as 14, then layering on three different RAPs for job positions with increasing amounts of responsibility.
Like A Place to Grow, many employers offering Pre-Apprenticeship Programs take advantage of the resources offered by ApprenticeshipNH, including WorkReadyNH and ACT WorkKeys, self-paced online modules aligned with the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate.
Southern New Hampshire Health (SNHH) went a step farther to apply grant funding through ApprenticeshipNH to develop its own career assessment tool. The custom online assessment helps pre-apprentices clarify career goals.
“The long-term goal of the pre-apprenticeship is to enhance the healthcare workforce in New Hampshire by having the right people in the right positions. You do that by helping individuals choose and prepare for careers that suit them,” said Viktoriya Dribinskaya, director of workforce development at SNHH.
After participants take the online assessments, they meet with SNHH staff in the top careers identified for them to ask questions, learn about day-to-day responsibilities, and chart an educational path to achieve career objectives. If an apprenticeship is the appropriate next step, SNHH guarantees an interview for any applicants who have completed the Pre-Apprenticeship Program. “If they come work for us, that’s awesome, but it is fine if they go to another health organization because the important part is building an understanding of the right career and educational path for them so we can meet the workforce needs across the state,” explained Dribinskaya.
Click here for more information about offering or applying for a Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
