#222 How Apprenticeships Are Changing Fast and Why It Matters with John Loyack and Andrew Gardner

Flourish Coaching

Apr 14, 2026

In this episode, Lisa, John, and Andrew discuss:

Apprenticeships are expanding beyond traditional trades into diverse modern industries
Blending education with real-world work through earn-and-learn pathways
Rising demand for soft skills alongside technical knowledge
The shift toward flexible career paths and lifelong learning

Key Takeaways:

Apprenticeships now span fields like healthcare, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and AI, allowing individuals to earn while gaining experience and often avoiding student debt.
Employers prioritize communication, critical thinking, and professionalism over pre-existing technical expertise.
Apprenticeships offer a strong return on investment with lower education costs, higher retention, and greater long-term earnings.
Entry into competitive programs depends heavily on attitude, behavior, and interpersonal skills from the first interaction, not just academics.

“Apprenticeship….is the very highest ROI that you could possibly find because the level of investment that you’re putting in as an individual isn’t as high as it would be with a four-year university.” – John Loyack

“The power of having job shadowing or work-based experience, just going on site and seeing what a job or career may actually look like, will go a long way.” – Andrew Gardner

About John Loyack and Andrew Gardner:

John Loyack is the Vice President of Economic Development for the North Carolina Community College System, leading ApprenticeshipNC, BioNetwork, Customized Training, and the Small Business Center Network. He supports statewide workforce and business needs across 58 colleges and 100 counties and serves on the NC Apprenticeship Council and NC MEP Advisory Board.

Andrew Gardner is the Associate Vice President of Workforce Strategies for the North Carolina Community College System, leading workforce alignment, industry partnerships, and career-connected education. He previously led workforce programs at Montgomery Community College focused on employer training and access.

Episode References:

NCCareers: https://nccareers.org/

Get Lisa’s Free on-demand video: THE CAREER IDENTIFICATION COMPASS: How To Be Certain Your 15 To 25 Year Old is On The Right Path to Launch With Confidence–Not Confusion: flourishcoachingco.com/video