Goodwill Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

Last week, Goodwill Industries International (GII) along with organization across the country recognized National Apprenticeship Week (NAW). With over 900 events taking place across the United States, communities took the opportunity to draw attention to and recognize the important role that apprenticeships play in developing a skilled workforce.
Established in 2015 under the Obama Administration, NAW allows business, labor, education, and other community leaders the opportunity to publicly express and promote their support for apprenticeship programs.  These programs train millions of Americans and give job seekers the opportunities to acquire specialized skills and ultimately earn a competitive wage.
Apprenticeship programs have also been a priority Under the Trump Administration. Earlier the year the White House issued an executive order to substantially increase the number of U.S. apprenticeships, with an increased focus on information technology, manufacturing, and health care among other growth industries.
Currently there are a reported 505,000 individuals holding apprenticeships through 2,100 publicly funded programs. One such program includes the Goodwill Careers in Technology program funded through a Department of Labor TechHire grant, which allows three local Goodwill organizations to provide paid internships and registered apprenticeships to individuals training for career pathways in the information technology industry.
Workforce development and job training has long been the mission of community Goodwills all across the county. And as a service provider, Goodwill strongly advocates for the growth and expansion of these valued programs.
If you or someone you know has benefited from a publicly funded apprenticeship program, please Share Your Story with us, so we can demonstrate to lawmakers the importance of this public investment.