Overview
In this article, we will outline terminology you may encounter while using Craft.
Glossary of Terms
General Apprenticeship Terms
Competencies: These are specific skills, knowledge, and abilities that an apprentice must master in order to complete their apprenticeship program successfully. Competencies are often linked to on-the-job learning tasks and are assessed by mentors or evaluators during the apprenticeship. They are typically outlined in the Work Process Schedule of the RAP standards.
Department of Labor: The Department of Labor (DOL) oversees the Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs), ensuring compliance with federal standards for workforce training and enabling automation of apprenticeship data through RAPIDS.
Education Provider: An institution (e.g., community college, university, vocational school) that collaborates with sponsors to deliver the academic portion (related technical instruction or RTI) of apprenticeship programs.
Employer: The organization or job site where an apprentice completes their on-the-job learning as part of their apprenticeship program. It is the workplace partner responsible for providing real-world training, supervision, and hands-on experience that supports the apprentice’s progress toward completing program requirements and gaining practical skills in their field.
OJL (On-the-Job Learning): OJL refers to job-embedded training that a learner completes under the supervision of a skilled worker, such as a journeyworker. This is a core component of apprenticeship programs, alongside related technical instruction (RTI).
RAP: A Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a structured, federally recognized training model that combines paid on-the-job learning with related instruction. RAPs are validated by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) or state apprenticeship agencies, ensuring adherence to high standards and qualifying for potential funding opportunities.
RAPIDS: Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Data System (RAPIDS) is a database managed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that facilitates the management, registration, and oversight of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). This system is essential for tracking apprenticeship agreements, reporting required data, and ensuring compliance with federal apprenticeship standards.
RTI (Related Technical Instruction): RTI represents the classroom-based or online learning component of an apprenticeship. It complements OJL by providing the theoretical and technical knowledge needed for the trade or occupation.
Sponsor: A sponsor is the entity responsible for administering and managing a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Sponsors are responsible for the recruitment of apprentices, coordination of related instruction, providing on-the-job training, and ensuring that the program complies with all required standards and regulations.
Sponsored Organizations: Organizations responsible for overseeing and administering apprenticeship programs. These can include employers, educational institutions, or workforce intermediaries who coordinate the various elements of the apprenticeship, from managing apprentice placements to ensuring compliance with training standards.
Craft OJL Tracker Roles
Education Provider Admin: An administrator at an education provider who oversees the academic aspects of apprenticeship programs. They are responsible for managing the RTI component of the program in partnership with sponsors. If you would like to learn more about user roles and permissions, please see this article.
Employer Admin: An administrator at an employer organization who manages apprentices’ on-the-job learning (OJL) experiences. Employer Admins are responsible for tracking progress, coordinating with mentors or evaluators, and ensuring the work-based learning portion of the apprenticeship aligns with program goals.
Evaluator: The evaluator is typically a mentor, journey-worker, or other experienced professional who observes and assesses the learner’s performance. They provide scores, feedback, and comments using a scoring rubric designated by the instructor. If you would like to learn more about user roles and permissions, please see this article.
Facilitator: A facilitator is a support role within an apprenticeship program that focuses on coaching, communication, and learner engagement. Facilitators may assist learners in staying on track, help troubleshoot issues, and serve as a liaison between learners and administrators. Unlike instructors or evaluators, facilitators typically do not score assignments but are vital to ensuring learner success and program continuity. If you would like to learn more about user roles and permissions, please see this article.
Instructor: An instructor is responsible for delivering the related technical instruction (RTI) that complements the on-the-job learning. This individual ensures that apprentices acquire the theoretical and technical knowledge needed for their trade. If you would like to learn more about user roles and permissions, please see this article.
Learner: A learner in Craft's OJL Tracker refers to an apprentice who is actively completing on-the-job learning (OJL). This individual is engaged in both job-embedded activities and related instruction. If you would like to learn more about user roles and permissions, please see this article.
Sponsor Admin: An administrator responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of a registered apprenticeship program (RAP). This role may be fulfilled by employers, workforce intermediaries, or educational institutions. Sponsor admins are responsible for program setup and maintenance within Craft's OJL Tracker.
Craft OJL Tracker Terms
Activities: These are the tasks or job-embedded activities that apprentices must perform as part of their on-the-job learning. Activities are tracked and recorded within the OJL Tracker to demonstrate progress and mastery of competencies. Activities can be customized to have specific requirements attached, which you can learn about here.
Automated Registration: An offering from Craft where Craft automates the apprentice registration and 671 signature process, saving administrators time and reducing administrative burden. If you have questions regarding this offering, please reach out to us at support@crafteducation.com.
Cohort: In Craft, a cohort is a group of learners overseen by a Facilitator. Cohorts enable facilitators to monitor learner progress, surface relevant data, and provide targeted support.
Level: Within the OJL Tracker, levels are an organizational grouping for Plans and Activities. They are often treated as semesters.
Organizations: Entities that manage or sponsor apprenticeship programs and have a central role in coordinating and administering these programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. They typically collaborate with educational institutions and employers to facilitate the integration of on-the-job learning with academic instruction.
Plan: Plans are a subgrouping of activities and are often treated like courses. A plan in the OJL Tracker outlines the schedule and process for completing on-the-job learning tasks. It serves as a roadmap for the learner's activities and skills acquisition during the apprenticeship.
Program: An organized set of training and learning activities designed to develop specific skills and competencies. Programs in Craft's platform may include job-embedded learning tasks and on-the-job training. To learn more about Programs, please see our Help Center.
Reports: This feature provides detailed insights into learners' progress and helps instructors, administrators, and sponsors track the effectiveness of their apprenticeship programs. This dashboard shows the health of program setup and includes reports which provide analytics on program completion.
Rubric: A rubric is a scoring mechanism within Craft's OJL Tracker which allows evaluators to score a learner’s competency on an activity. To learn more about how to set up rubrics, please see our Help Center.
Skills Observation Tracking: Skills Observation Tracking allows learners to request observations for specific skills as they are practiced. Evaluators then log the observation, provide feedback, and assign a score based on program criteria to document skill development over time.
Sponsored Organizations: Specific types of organizations, such as businesses, educational institutions, or workforce intermediaries, that take on the responsibility of being the official sponsor of a registered apprenticeship program. This includes managing administrative tasks like registration with the Department of Labor, compliance reporting, and ensuring program standards are upheld.
Time Tracking:Time Tracking allows learners to log hours spent on job-embedded learning. These entries can be reviewed and approved by evaluators, helping programs track progress, meet requirements, and maintain accurate reporting.
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