Apprenticeships: The Future RxRS Saw Coming a Decade Ago

Ten years ago, Rx Research Services (RxRS), CRO, made a bold move: we began building out STEM Apprenticeships for higher-skill jobs in the food and biosciences industries. At the time, many wondered why a contract research organization would invest so deeply in hands-on workforce development. Today, it’s clear, we were anticipating a shift that has now transformed the American labor market.

The 21st-century economy is reshaping how talent is developed and recognized. Sixty-five percent of Americans will not pursue a BA or BS degree, and that no longer represents a barrier to career success. Employers themselves are driving this change: hiring managers across food manufacturing, biotech, and beyond are turning away from degree requirements and moving toward skills-based hiring. What matters is not the diploma, it’s the capability.

This shift bodes particularly well for community college students and working adults who are ready to secure their futures through certificates and real-world experience. From Lab Technicians, Culinary and Food Science professionals, and Calibration Techs, to Nutrition, Agriculture, and Hospitality specialists, certificate programs plus externships or internships are opening doors to well-paying, meaningful careers.

At RxRS, we saw this coming. Our apprenticeship model was designed to align industry’s real needs with the untapped potential of learners who might otherwise be overlooked. By combining technical instruction, on-the-job training, and mentorship, we’ve helped create a pipeline of skilled professionals who are now essential to the industries that feed, heal, and sustain communities.

Looking ahead, as skills-based hiring becomes the norm, apprenticeships are no longer a side path, they are the main highway to opportunity. And we’re proud to have been building that highway from the very beginning.