Is an apprenticeship program the right fit for your community?

For communities hoping to start and register an apprenticeship program, a new toolkit by the Department of Labor may offer some insight. Launched as part of National Apprenticeship Week (Nov. 12-18, 2018), “Building Registered Apprenticeship Programs” provides a guide to help start and register your apprenticeship program. The toolkit includes five steps: exploration of apprenticeships as a strategy to meet regional needs; partnerships with key players to develop the program; building the core components of the program; registration with the broader apprenticeship network; and, launching the program.

The development of the Department of Labor toolkit speaks to the renewed interest nationwide for more apprenticeship programs. These efforts remain one of many options to develop a strong talent pipeline. At this year’s SSTI Annual Conference, Dec. 3-5 in Salt Lake City, we invite you to learn more about apprenticeships and other “earn and learn” initiatives, where workforce development experts will take center stage.

A conference session will explore experiences with apprenticeships and other workforce development programs, the resources available to begin or expand such a program, and strategies to find partners and programs in your area. The panel will feature insight from Jason Tyszko, the vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Center for Education and Workforce, and Joshua Seeberg, the manager of the ICATT Apprenticeship Program, and will be moderated by Mark Troppe, senior vice president at the Center for Regional Economic Competiveness. Register for the conference here.