by Mitch Coppes, Government Relations Senior Specialist, Goodwill Industries International
Apprenticeship programs are a proven training model and provide a critical talent pipeline to address some of our nation’s pressing workforce challenges, such as rebuilding vital infrastructure, promoting advanced manufacturing, expanding the green energy economy, and ensuring equitable access to career opportunities in in-demand industries. In communities across the country, local Goodwill® organizations are working with employers to facilitate apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs that combine occupational training, classroom instruction, support services, and paid work experience to equip people facing barriers to employment with the skills and competencies they need in order to achieve career success.
In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week 2022, President Biden remarked on his Administration’s efforts to expand earn-and-learn opportunities, as well as the important role that employers, labor groups, workforce agencies, and community-based organizations play in developing and supporting high-quality apprenticeship programs. “Supporting Registered Apprenticeships is a key part of my economic vision to build an economy from the bottom up and the middle out: an economy that works for everyone,” said Biden. “That’s why hundreds of millions of dollars from my American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are dedicated to helping States, employers, labor organizations, and workforce intermediaries design, develop, and expand Registered Apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs.”
During National Apprenticeship Week, the U.S. Department of Labor and stakeholders from industry, labor, equity, workforce development, and education help to raise awareness about the value of apprenticeships by highlighting key themes, including:
- Registered Apprenticeship in new and emerging industries
- Pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship
- Expanding Registered Apprenticeship to underserved populations
- Women in apprenticeship
- Public service apprenticeship and veterans in apprenticeship
Learn more about National Apprenticeship Week and how local Goodwills can support the expansion of high-quality apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and youth apprenticeship programs at Apprenticeship.gov.
