Apprenticeship News 1/17/2024
Workforce Development Board offering free pre-apprenticeship training program – Times Herald Online
The Solano Workforce Development Board will be offering a free six-week pre-apprenticeship training program starting in February.
The program, for young adults between the ages of 18-24, aims to help them to complete all the training they need for an introductory trades position.
This free pre-apprenticeship training will be offered Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Feb. 12 to March 22 at the Vallejo Adult School.
“This program will truly open doors for their future,” said Nel Sweet-Davis — an employability specialist with the Workforce Development Board of Solano County and one of the organizers of the training program — said in a news release. “It’s more than the trades. It will encompass so many industries, industries that are becoming very common here in Solano County. We encourage the students to see this as a kickstart program to their future in the trades or labor industry.”
The program will include four industry certifications — the Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training, construction fundamentals, concrete pouring techniques, trades math, fitness training, and more...
Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration today announced a $379,000 grant to Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit to develop an apprenticeship program for teachers -- a first-of-its-kind effort to address staffing shortages in Pennsylvania schools and create earn-as-you-learn opportunities for individuals interested in careers as certified elementary and secondary teachers.
The Departments of Labor & Industry (L&I) and Education (PDE) partnered to address Pennsylvania's teacher shortage in early 2023 by expanding the apprenticeship model in the education sector through the creation of the Certified Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program in Pennsylvania (TAP.PA). TAP.PA aims to provide training for individuals like paraprofessionals and teachers' aides who want to become certified elementary and secondary teachers.
"Fewer people have pursued teacher certification in Pennsylvania in recent years, and that's created staffing challenges in schools throughout the Commonwealth. The Shapiro Administration is committed to reversing this trend through targeted investments in our workforce. The Certified Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program moves us closer to big-picture solutions while providing real career opportunities for individuals dedicated to the education of our children," said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker.
The Shapiro Administration selected Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit to design a registered apprenticeship program that school districts across Pennsylvania can use as a template for teacher career pathways. Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit has been tasked with building a sustainable model for teacher training that includes strong partnerships with various stakeholders, including community colleges, higher education institutions, workforce development organizations, government agencies, and local education agencies. These partnerships, encompassing a wide geographic range, are key to addressing the unique needs of urban, suburban, and rural areas...
Gesher Human Services offering paid direct care apprenticeship training program – Macomb Daily
t’s never been a better time to pursue a human services career.
The demand for workers is high and Gesher Human Services will be offering paid, on-the-job training for local residents.
“We have launched the apprenticeship because we are constantly hearing about people who would like to work in direct care but are told they aren’t suitable because they don’t have the needed experience,” Gesher Human Services COO James Willis said, in a news release. “Although being compassionate and caring are important requirements for direct care work, there are many skills that direct care professionals need, and we can now provide that specific training and the opportunity for people to start a new career for themselves.”
The new apprenticeship program provides unemployed and underemployed individuals with on-the-job training and 155 hours related technical instruction for a nationally recognized Journeyperson Direct Support Specialist Credential.
Apprentices will be matched with a journeyperson at Gesher who will provide training, support and mentoring to the apprentice.
What does the job entail?
Alyson Adams wishes the UF College of Education’s new master’s program was more competitive. But even though the course load is free, online and just one year long, applicant numbers are slim, she said.
“It’s just hard to get people to commit to the career of teaching right now,” said Adams, UF education professor and director of the School of Teaching and Learning.
Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $5 million Dec. 13 among 10 Florida public universities to develop pre-bachelor’s apprenticeship programs. UF received about $1.3 million from the grant, which was the latest effort in DeSantis’ Pathways to Career Opportunities investment to strengthen Florida’s teacher pipeline.
Apprenticeships pair aspiring educators with mentors who guide them through on-the-job classroom training — giving participants a chance to get paid for becoming a teacher. Since PCO’s launch in 2019, 56 new apprenticeship programs have been created in Florida.
UF launched its first PCO-backed apprenticeship in March 2023. The one-year program offers a master’s degree and teaching certificate to students who complete online courses and an in-classroom apprenticeship.
But the requirements to join the program — a bachelor’s degree in a topic other than education and a passing score on subject exams — have made it hard to find interested and qualified students, Adams said.
Just 10 students are currently enrolled in the program, she said.
“There aren’t many bachelor’s degrees where you can get paid”
The Dec. 13 grant caters to pre-bachelors instead of master’s students, which Adams hopes will draw wider interest, she said. Instead of accumulating student debt, undergraduates will get paid a salary to apprentice in local schools for two years.
“There aren’t many bachelor’s degrees where you can get paid for your junior and senior year,” Adams said. “I think that’s going to be a really popular option.”
Adams is now creating online courses for the program and hopes to start recruiting in Fall 2025. The program still needs full approval, and UF will submit its final grant application Jan. 19, she said.
Apprenticeships are a great way to address Florida’s teacher shortage, said UF education professor Tina Smith-Bonahue. Research on what makes a good teacher shows the importance of academics combined with real-life experience, she said...
Illinois ranked as top Midwest state for workplace development for second year | News | wrex.com
CHICAGO — Site Selection magazine has named Illinois the number one leader for workplace development in the Midwest for the second year in a row.
This recognition acknowledges the state's ongoing efforts to enhance access to diverse workforce programs and apply initiatives through legislation and funding aimed at removing obstacles to quality employment.
These efforts work to build a thriving business environment that benefits job seekers, workers, and employers.
“The hardworking people of Illinois are at the forefront of our state’s economic progress, making us the top state in the Midwest for workforce development for the second consecutive year,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Since day one, my administration has been committed to making Illinois the best place to live. That’s why we’ve made transformative investments in workforce development, education, and our businesses—ensuring that every Illinoisan has an opportunity to thrive.”
The recent ranking by Site Selection magazine recognizes states showcasing "strong performance in aspects related to workforce within their overall employment environment."
This ranking draws on data from CNBC, U.S. News, and other sources...
This partnership will enable high school students to gain hands-on experience and industry-recognized credentials through pre-apprenticeship programs.
Cumberland Regional High School is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with SJ Technical Training Center and the U.S. Department of Labor, aimed at providing high school students with valuable pre-apprenticeship credentials in conjunction with their year-one apprenticeship hours in Electrical or HVAC. Cumberland Regional High School is joined by neighboring school, Bridgeton High School in this amazing opportunity.
Recognizing the importance of equipping students with practical skills and a pathway to successful careers, Cumberland Regional High School has entered a strategic collaboration with SJ Technical Training Center and the U.S. Department of Labor to enhance vocational education opportunities for its students.
This partnership will enable high school students to gain hands-on experience and industry-recognized credentials through pre-apprenticeship programs offered by SJ Technical Training Center, a leading institution known for its commitment to excellence in technical education.
Key features of the partnership include:
- Industry-Recognized Credentials: The collaboration will provide students with the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials endorsed by the U.S. Department of Labor. These credentials will enhance their employability and position them for success in the workforce.
- Hands-On Learning Experiences: Through practical training and apprenticeship opportunities facilitated by SJ Technical Training Center, students will gain valuable hands-on experience, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
- Career Pathway Development: The partnership aims to foster the development of clear career pathways for students, empowering them to make informed decisions about their futures and ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the modern workforce...
Several employees at Jasper Engines and Transmissions in Willow Springs and Arlee Home Fashions in West Plains recently completed U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs at Missouri State University-West Plains, the area sponsor for DOL registered apprenticeship programs.
Using a $50,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Workforce Development, the university worked with department officials and area manufacturers to develop the registered apprenticeship programs to provide training for positions that are hard to fill due to technology advancements, university officials said. They targeted the programs for positions in advanced industrial maintenance and manufacturing management and supervision based on input from the manufacturers.
Officials at Jasper and Arlee took advantage of the new programs and offered the apprenticeship opportunities to their employees. Utilizing academic instruction and on-the-job training with mentors at each company, the employees trained in various areas of manufacturing management and maintenance and met all competencies needed to earn the DOL credentials.
Eight employees from each business completed the apprenticeships last fall and received DOL-registered apprenticeship awards.
Officials at both industries said they were very pleased with the results of the program, saying it will positively impact their operations moving forward...
RRPS offering two teacher resident information sessions - Rio Rancho Observer (rrobserver.com)
- Elementary education (K-8)
- Secondary English/language arts (7-12)
- Secondary science (7-12)
- Secondary global languages: Spanish (7-12)
- Special education (K-12)
II. Executive Summary
The Department's current regulations at 29 CFR part 29 addressing labor standards of apprenticeship and the governance of the National Apprenticeship System were last updated in a final rule published on October 29, 2008 (73 FR 64402). In this proposed rule, the Department seeks to strengthen, expand, modernize, and diversify the National Apprenticeship System by enhancing worker protections and equity, improving the quality of registered apprenticeship programs, and revising the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) governance provisions so that the National Apprenticeship System is more navigable and responsive to current worker and employer needs.
The proposed rule would enhance the ability of the Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) Office of Apprenticeship (OA) to implement and administer the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 (NAA), Act of Aug. 16, 1937, 75th Cong., ch. 663, 50 Stat. 664 (codified as amended at 29 U.S.C. 50), including approving apprenticeship programs and standards as a Registration Agency and recognizing SAAs, to protect the safety and welfare of apprentices, and to meet the 21st century skill needs of industry. Central to the expanded role is the ability to promote the value of apprenticeship, advance the benefits of apprenticeship as a diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) strategy for program sponsors, maintain National Apprenticeship System data for Registration Agencies, facilitate registered apprenticeship across the United States, and develop partnerships with stakeholders throughout the National Apprenticeship System.
Essential to strengthening, modernizing, expanding, and diversifying the National Apprenticeship System is the advancement of worker protections and equity. The Department's proposal would create more safeguards for apprentices to ensure that they have healthy and safe working and learning environments as well as just and equitable opportunities throughout their participation in a registered apprenticeship program. This emphasis on worker protections and equity for apprentices is founded on the recognition that some populations, such as women and people of color, have historically faced systemic barriers to successfully access, participate in, and complete a registered apprenticeship program. This proposed rule seeks to mitigate barriers and facilitate equal access and greater success for underserved communities, as defined in proposed § 29.2. Additionally, the proposed rule seeks to enhance opportunities for younger workers to safely and equitably participate in registered apprenticeship programs.
Through this proposed rule, the Department is proposing to modernize and standardize the criteria and process for developing quality labor standards for apprenticeship. To maintain the integrity of registered apprenticeship as an industry-driven workforce development model, the Department recognizes that all apprenticeship programs must maintain labor standards that are objective, accountable, flexible and efficient. The Department seeks to fulfill this modernization effort by creating a framework for developing minimum labor standards of apprenticeship that combines the key attributes of the competency- and time-based approaches to on-the-job training into a unitary, coherent training model across all programs. The Department anticipates that modernizing and standardizing the labor standards for all registered apprenticeship programs would support the expansion of registered apprenticeships into new industries and occupations that do not have an established history with registered apprenticeship: programs in these industries new to apprenticeship would benefit from increased avenues to contribute to the development of industry- and occupation-specific training regimens, and from the increased clarity established by the universal baseline standards the Department seeks to apply across all registered programs. In addition, the Department is institutionalizing National Program Standards for Apprenticeship and National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards and aligning them with National Occupational Standards for Apprenticeship, a product that would further standardize industry-validated occupational standards for apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Opportunity
The Applied Ecology Apprenticeship position is available at Norcross Wildlife Foundation (NWF) for the 2024
growing season. The Apprentice will take the lead in directing the day-to-day activities of three interns under
the guidance of the Applied Ecologist and Director of Applied Ecology and will participate in all activities of the
NWF internship program. The NWF internship program is designed to aid applicants with their career
development via on-site educational and work experiences. Interns will aid in plant identification and botanical
inventories, propagation, landscape design and planting, maintenance, invasive plant removal, habitat
restoration, and all other duties related to ecological horticulture and applied ecology. The Apprentice will
report to the Applied Ecologist, who will supply weekly lists of tasks and who will orient and assist the
Apprentice and intern team with assigned tasks. As participants of an educational program, interns (and the
Apprentice) will attend lectures/programs, go on field trips, and work collaboratively on an assigned internship
project. The 2024 internship project will consist of preparing and planting an approximately half-acre
scrubland. Interns and the Apprentice are provided with housing on-site and a stipend paid bi-weekly. The
Apprentice will lead other interns in specific tasks, primarily landscape and habitat restoration planting, site
preparation, and maintenance, as well as in invasive-species removal.