Why Inclusive Apprenticeships Matter
Established by the U.S. Department of Labor, National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) celebrates apprentices, employers, apprenticeship intermediaries, and other critical partners who create employment opportunities through apprenticeship programs. During this critical time, creating a skilled workforce that is diverse and inclusive is more important than ever.
PIA celebrates the importance of developing inclusive apprenticeship programs to build a career pathway for apprentices—apprentices of all ages, disabilities, races, genders, gender identities, sexual identities, and religions— to attain skills and credentials in all industries.
“I truly believe apprenticeship is the way to go and being inclusive is the way to create a pool of diverse, skilled talent. Inclusive apprenticeships can also create career paths for people with disabilities who have traditionally been excluded from the workforce.”
– Josh Christianson, Project Director, Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship
There are significant benefits to designing programs that are diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible to all, including:
Resources
Apprentices:
Employers and Intermediaries:
- The Value of Inclusive Apprenticeships
- Designing Inclusive Apprenticeships Guide
- Creating Inclusive Virtual & Hybrid Apprenticeships: What Apprenti Learned During COVID-19
- Building Inclusive Apprenticeships in the Clean Energy Sector
- Inclusive Apprenticeships: The Importance of Accessibility
Podcast:
Upcoming Events:
- Advancing Inclusive Apprenticeships: A National Online Dialogue on Increasing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Apprenticeships
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) | November 16-December 3, 2021 | Website
Past Events:
- Mentoring Matters: The Role of Mentoring in Registered Apprenticeship Programs for Youth
Urban Institute | November 8, 2024 | Virtual - Workforce Innovators: Using Apprenticeships to Solve Workforce Pipeline Challenges
Midlands Technical College | November 9, 2024 | Virtual
- Apprenticeships: Building Bridges Between Colleges and Employers
ACE | November 9, 2024 | Virtual
- Apprenticeship 2025: A Bold Vision for the Registered Apprenticeship System
Urban Institute | November 15, 2024 | Virtual
- Creating More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship Illinois | November 16, 2024 | Virtual
- Youth Apprenticeship: A Vision for the Future, A Plan for Today
JFF | November 16, 2024 | Virtual
- Solar Installer Apprenticeships: Employer Info Session
IREC and SEIA | November 16, 2024 | Virtual
- A Pathway to Recovery: Utilizing Apprenticeships
CSG and Urban Institute | November 16, 2024 | Virtual - The Future of Work and the Workforce: A Conversation with U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh
The Brookings Institution | November 17 | Virtual - Healthcare Accelerator
H-CAP | November 18, 2024 | Virtual - Best Practices in Recruitment, Retention, and Leadership for Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations
U.S. DOL Women’s Bureau | November 18, 2024 | Virtual - Modern Apprenticeships for a Modern Age: Employers Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
JFF | November 19, 2024 | Virtual - Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week with SHRM Foundation HR RAP
SHRM Foundation HR RAP | November 19, 2024 | Virtual - Tech Apprenticeships: A Turnkey Solution to Address the War for Tech Talent
Appteon, TWC, NEW Apprenticeship | November 19, 2024 | Virtual