WASHINGTON – On Aug. 16, 1937, the nation took a historic step toward formalizing standards for Registered Apprenticeships, including those related to their safety and health and to prevent many forms of discrimination toward workers in training. (Courtesy of https://www.dol.gov/newsroom)
Coinciding with the 85th anniversary of the passage of the National Apprenticeship Act – or the “Fitzgerald Act” owing to its legislative champion, Rep. William J. Fitzgerald – the U.S. Department of Labor today announced several initiatives designed to unite employers, workers and other stakeholders in the ongoing effort to grow the nation’s Registered Apprenticeship system.
The department’s Office of Apprenticeship has created the “ApprenticeshipUSA” brand to establish an identity and shared understanding of the national Registered Apprenticeship system with its stakeholders. These include apprentices, apprenticeship sponsors, educators, employers, industry associations, labor-management organizations, state apprenticeship agencies and training providers.
In addition, the department is offering two opportunities for the public to connect with apprenticeship stakeholders today. At 1 p.m. EDT today on Twitter, the department begins the “Advancing the National Apprenticeship System” chat – hosted by @ePolicyWorks – where participants can focus on ways to develop high-quality Registered Apprenticeships. In addition, the department has begun a national online public dialogue on the future of Registered Apprenticeship and invites those interested in sharing their views and experiences, and learning more to join the conversation through Sept. 5.
The ApprenticeshipUSA branding and online discussions are part of the department’s continued efforts to highlight the value of Registered Apprenticeship in promoting an equitable national recovery.
Among these efforts are the department’s recently announced 120-Day Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Sprint, the selection of the first cohort of Apprenticeship Ambassadors and its designation of Nov. 14-20, 2022, as the 8th Annual National Apprenticeship Week.