Creating opportunities for people in prison or jail to participate in pre-apprenticeship programs that will allow them to transition immediately into formal apprenticeship programs or make available other job prospects upon release is an effective way to engage individuals in workforce training. Partnerships can be explored with federal apprenticeship programs, labor unions, and other hosts of apprenticeships. Such programs are approximately 13 weeks in length, and can be initiated in the final six months of incarceration for interested and approved inmates. Pre-apprenticeships have the benefit of giving clear incentives and career paths to those who know that upon release they will be eligible for enrollment in an apprenticeship program leading to a full-time, well-paying position in a demand occupation.

Example: Prison Pet Partnership Program, Washington State Corrections Center for Women, Washington State University, and Tacoma Community College

The Prison Pet Partnership Program is a cooperative effort among Washington State University, Tacoma Community College, the Washington State Department of Corrections, trainers, and volunteers. This program helps people at the Washington State Corrections Center for Women learn how to train, groom, and board dogs that can assist people with disabilities. Many of the women who participate in the program do so as part of an apprenticeship program, and many achieve Pet Care Technician certification through the American Boarding Kennels Association or Companion Animal Hygienist certification under the auspices of the World Wide Pet Supply Association.