This is your monthly AAI grantee community update with upcoming events and new resources.
Upcoming NGA Events:
AAI Learning Network Call: August 3, 3-4 P.M. EST: https://zoom.us/j/94532209241
- This is a monthly opportunity for NGA Center to share updates with the AAI cohort and for the cohort to share current challenges and successes. This month we will also discuss grant closeout and grantees’ plans after September. If you have anything you’d like to share or any questions, please email kbaddour@nga.org.
Announcements from United States Department of Labor (USDOL):
- US Department of Labor Awards More than $130M in Grants to Support Registered Apprenticeship Programs; Increase Employment Opportunities: The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $130 million in grants to develop, modernize and diversify Registered Apprenticeship Programs in 15 states and to establish Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Centers of Excellence in three states and Washington, D.C., to provide technical expertise and services and accelerate the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship programs.
- The USODL announced the availability of $25 million in Young Adult Reentry Partnership grants for approximately six organizations. These grants are focused on connecting individuals that are now or once involved in the criminal justice system with work-based learning opportunities, including apprenticeships.
Apprenticeship Resources:
- Apprenticeship Resources (Workforce GPS): A variety of apprenticeship resources have been developed by the Office of Apprenticeship to share information, resources, and promising practices with the apprenticeship and workforce community. On this page, you will find resources ranging from general tools and resources related to apprenticeship, to pages on under-represented populations, to industry-specific expansion strategies. The resources are organized by the five elements of apprenticeship expansion.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources (Workforce GPS): This new landing page compiles resources to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in registered apprenticeship.
- Mentor Guide for Youth Registered Apprenticeship Programs (Urban Institute): This first edition of the Urban Institute’s mentor guide has been developed for experienced workers who teach and advise youth apprentices at work. It provides a variety of tips for mentors, guidance on common mentoring topics, frequently asked questions, and links to resources. As a tool, it acts as a handy reference guide and is intended to be paired with other learning and/or preparation for mentors in executing effective apprenticeship programs.
- Increasing Veterans’ Participation in Apprenticeship: A Resource Guide (Workforce GPS): This resource shares an overview of federally funded programs that support veterans in registered apprenticeship programs and strategies for aligning state and local veteran employment resources with apprenticeship strategies.
Apprenticeship in the News
- JFF Awarded $13 Million U.S. Department of Labor Funding to Expand Equity and Inclusion in Apprenticeship (JFF): AAI grantee JFF announced that its Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning has received $13 million in new funding from the USDOL to grow the country’s capacity to offer diverse and inclusive Registered Apprenticeships. Through this cooperative agreement, JFF will provide direct, hands-on training and support to employers, education and training providers, and community organizations to help them increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in U.S. apprenticeships.
- $10M Grant to Support New Statewide Apprenticeship Program (Mibiz.com): The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has received a $10 million federal grant that will go toward an apprenticeship program for more than 1,640 workers. The funding will be used to establish the Michigan Statewide Targeted Apprenticeship Inclusion & Readiness System under a partnership with LEO, the Michigan Works! Network, Michigan Career & Technical Institute, Michigan Association of Community and Adult Education, and the Access to Apprenticeship Consortium that includes labor and associated contractors.
- Maine Apprenticeship Programs Get $5.6M Boost from Feds (Mainebiz.com): The Maine Department of Labor has been awarded $5,594,187 in federal funding to support and expand apprenticeship programs across the state, according to an announcement last week from Maine’s U.S. senators. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity, and Innovation Grants Program.
- Illinois Apprenticeship Programs Receive $8 Million Expansion (CIProud.com): Illinois apprenticeship programs are set to expand by $8 million. This expansion comes from Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. According to a release, this expansion will include many workplace sectors, such as creative arts, entertainment, healthcare, transportation, and tech. Additionally, the expansion will primarily serve to help those in “underrepresented populations – including low-income individuals, older workers, women, returning citizens, persons with disabilities, veterans, youth and more.”
- States Expand Apprenticeship Programs as Worker Shortages Grow (Governing.com): Forty-six percent of small business owners surveyed in June by the National Federation of Independent Business had job openings they could not fill, more than double the average over the past 48 years. As many as 80 percent of employers contacted by the Conference Board say it’s difficult to find qualified workers. Registered apprenticeship can bridge the gap between job seekers looking for a living wage and employers who need skilled workers.
