Episode 368: Apprenticeship Programs to Keep Apprentices in the Company With Nicholas Morgan, ACS

We actually have an HR apprenticeship in our organization that we built for ACS, and I think we’ve done 15 or 16 apprentices that work for ACS. They earned wages, but they got access to some really high-quality training while they were growing and many of which are still with us. And that’s one of the key things employers should be taking away from this, is that 93% of apprentices, when they complete their program, they stay with that employer. Episode 368: Apprenticeship Programs to Keep Apprentices in the Company With Nicholas Morgan (@ACS_Morgan), ACS   Welcome to the Workology Podcast, a podcast for the disruptive workplace leader. Join host Jessica Miller-Merrell, founder of Workology.com as she sits down and gets to the bottom of trends, tools, and case studies for the business leader, HR, and recruiting professional who is tired of the status quo. Now, here’s Jessica with this episode of Workology. Jessica Miller-Merrell: [00:00:55.71] This episode of the Workology Podcast is sponsored by Upskill HR and Ace The HR Exam. This episode is part of a podcast series powered by the Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship or PIA. PIA is funded by the US Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, or ODEP. In November of 2020, ODEP launched PIA to ensure all apprenticeship programs are inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities. PIA collaborates with employers and apprenticeship programs to help meet employer talent needs and enable people with disabilities to benefit from apprenticeships that increase their opportunities for lifelong access to high-growth, high-demand jobs. Today, I’m joined by Nick Morgan. He’s the Founder and President of Adaptive Construction Solutions Inc, or ACS, one of the most diverse and fastest-growing registered apprenticeship programs in the nation. From 2017 to 2021, ACS programs have achieved the highest representation of disabled apprentices among all large programs in the nation. During this period, ACS enrolled more disabled veterans into apprenticeships than all states except California and Nebraska. In addition to being a father of seven, Nick is a combat veteran of the US Army with multiple awards and decorations, including a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After facing the challenges of transitioning from the armed forces as a disabled veteran, Nick became an entrepreneur in 2007, first establishing a successful insurance agency and in 2016 founded ACS. Nick is passionate about expanding economic opportunities and mobility through registered apprenticeship programs and other work-based learning opportunities for marginalized positions, especially for individuals with disabilities. Among his public service contributions, Nick is a member of the Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC), Apprenticeship and Training Committee (ATAC), as well as an appointed member of the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO). Nick, welcome to the Workology Podcast. Nicholas Morgan: [00:03:02.64] Thank you. Jessica Miller-Merrell: [00:03:04.33] I’m so excited to have you here because of your expertise in so many different areas. Let’s talk about your background a bit as an entrepreneur and then your transition from military service as a disabled veteran. Nicholas Morgan: [00:03:19.00] Sure. Yeah. I mean, it was everyone has a, a different story for sure. I think I’ve No. Two or are identically similar, but we do have an underlining,