Educator Preparation Programs face an unprecedented challenge: managing increasingly complex apprenticeship requirements while ensuring compliance, tracking outcomes, and supporting learner success. Traditional spreadsheets and disconnected systems simply can't handle the demands of modern teacher preparation at scale.
Craft Connect addresses these pain points head-on, providing a comprehensive platform that streamlines apprenticeship management while driving measurable outcomes.
Here are the six critical reasons EPPs nationwide choose Craft Connect as their apprenticeship tracking solution.
Always Free to Use: Eliminating Financial Barriers for Scalable Growth
EPPs frequently face budget constraints that limit access to robust Teaching College tools, forcing reliance on spreadsheets or outdated systems. Craft Connect solves this by offering unlimited access for educational users and registered apprenticeship programs—with no license fees, per-user charges, or hidden costs.
"The only way we could manage 100+ apprentices across the entire state was with a platform that didn't charge per user," notes Bradley Kingston, Director of Data & Analytics at Talent Together.
Built for EPP Workflows: Streamlining Admin Burdens and Compliance
Manual tracking of placements, supervisor sign-offs, and rubric feedback often overwhelms EPP administrators, leading to errors and delays in coordination between schools, mentors, and employers.
Craft Connect tackles this with tailored workflows that automate assignments, OJT/RTI tracking, and approvals, while aligning with WIOA standards.
"Craft is the only place we document standards progress. Their platform gives us the credibility we need with the DOL and the districts. A spreadsheet can't do that." - Gina Zuberbier, Program Manager at Talent Together.
Learner-Centered Design with Feedback Loops: Boosting Retention and Real-World Readiness
Adequate teacher preparation requires continuous feedback between candidates, supervisors, and faculty. Craft Connect's learner-centered design provides real-time visibility into progress while enabling two-way communication throughout the apprenticeship journey.
The platform's rubric-based feedback system and milestone tracking ensure candidates understand their growth trajectory while giving supervisors structured ways to provide developmental guidance.
Customizable Real-Time Reporting and Analytics: Unlocking Funding and Insights
EPPs struggle with fragmented data that complicates audits, funding justification, and program optimization, often resulting in missed opportunities. Craft Connect provides real-time dashboards and customizable reports tracking completion rates, wage progression, and competency mastery—fully aligned with RAPIDS.
The Michigan program leveraged these analytics to demonstrate impact to state legislators, directly contributing to their $78M funding success. Real-time dashboards provide visibility into completion rates, placement outcomes, and program effectiveness.
Security & Privacy: Ensuring Ethical Data Handling
Student data protection isn't optional in teacher preparation. Craft Connect's FERPA compliance and SOC 2 Type 2 certification provide the security framework that Institutional Review Boards and EPPs demand.
This institutional-grade security ensures sensitive apprentice information remains protected while enabling the data sharing necessary for multi-partner programs and state reporting requirements.
Advanced Multi-Partner and Cohort Management: Fostering Collaborative Ecosystems
Coordinating across agencies, schools, and employers often leads to silos and inefficiencies in multi-partner setups. Craft Connect's tools for cohort grouping, role-based access, and bulk uploads enable effortless collaboration in one unified system.
"So much would not have been possible without Craft... adding over 1,350 teachers to the educator workforce pipeline." - Jack Elsey, Founder & CEO of Michigan Educator Workforce
The advantage: Streamlined statewide initiatives, stronger partnerships, and a more diverse, supported teacher workforce that benefits every student.
Transform Your EPP Program
The teacher shortage demands innovative solutions backed by robust infrastructure. Craft Connect provides EPPs with the tools to scale apprenticeship programs effectively while maintaining the quality and compliance standards that ensure long-term success.
Ready to see how Craft Connect can transform your apprenticeship tracking? Experience the platform that's helping EPPs nationwide build stronger teacher pipelines.
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