School-to-Registered Apprenticeships can be a visible demonstration of the role played by the community as a whole in education. STRA can help increase the number of students who make a successful transition from school to work, reducing the number of economically unproductive members of the community. Local job stability is enhanced when local students receive relevant and effective training for local jobs. In addition, healthy STRA apprenticeship programs can help draw new industries and new employers into the community.

Benefits to employers and training sponsors include assistance from trained educators in job analysis and training design, the active participation of the school's testing and guidance professionals in program recruitment, shortened training times and costs, and the opportunity to prepare students to meet the individual sponsors' particular requirements. Schools benefit by being able to provide educational opportunities outside their usual physical, financial, and staff resources. Instructors, administrators, and counselors have increased and improved contact with local employers and employment conditions.

For more information on how to develop an STRA program in your community, contact the ECAAP office.