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JANUARY 2022
Happy New Year! The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) thanks everyone for their part in making the seventh annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) a tremendous success with over 1,100 apprenticeship activities across the country! See below for a recently-published NAW 2021 Report highlighting the many exciting events and activities that took place during the week of November 15-21, 2021. There are also updates below on the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative, 90-Day Trucking Apprenticeship Challenge, recently-announced National Apprenticeship Industry Intermediaries, and a grant opportunity forecast notice.
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2021 NAW RECAP
NAW 2021 brought together thousands of partners across industry, labor, equity, workforce, government, and education systems to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship for rebuilding our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities. View the recently-published report to see highlights from the week and start preparing for the eighth annual NAW on November 14-20, 2022! READ THE REPORT
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DOL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW APPRENTICESHIP AMBASSADOR INITIATIVE
DOL Secretary Marty Walsh launched the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative during NAW 2021. Since then, DOL has been receiving applications and will soon announce the list of inaugural Apprenticeship Ambassadors. Organizations who have seen the value and benefits of Registered Apprenticeship and who want to partner with DOL to help bring awareness to others are encouraged to apply. LEARN MORE
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90-DAY TRUCKING APPRENTICESHIP CHALLENGE CONTINUES THROUGH MID-MARCH
The White House and DOL launched a 90-day Challenge to accelerate the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship to help put more well-trained drivers on the road in good trucking jobs, as part of a package of actions designed to address trucking workforce shortages. Over 115 organizations have responded to the Challenge, many of whom have committed to increasing apprentice slots by starting and growing programs. LEARN MORE
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FOUR ADDITIONAL NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP INDUSTRY INTERMEDIARIES HAVE BEEN SELECTED
DOL has awarded approximately $8 million in contract investments to four additional national industry intermediaries to expand the use of Registered Apprenticeship in sectors affected by the pandemic. The Department is seeking to develop apprenticeship opportunities for all U.S. workers, in particular those from underrepresented and underserved populations. LEARN MORE
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APPRENTICESHIP BUILDING AMERICA (ABA) FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNEMENT COMING SOON
DOL announced a Grant Opportunity Forecast for the ABA Program, which is tentatively scheduled to be posted in early February. This forecast serves as advance notice to encourage potential applicants to begin forming partnerships and other early preparations to improve readiness for when the Funding Opportunity Announcement is ultimately published. LEARN MORE
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REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REVIEW MANUAL RELEASED
The DOL Office of Apprenticeship recently released the Registered Apprenticeship Program Review Manual, which is designed to support OA’s commitment to high quality Registered Apprenticeship Programs, and to drive alignment and compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship through the program review process. Bulletin 2022-31 provides further information and an overview of program review procedures. LEARN MORE
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UPDATES MADE TO THE BOILERPLATE STANDARDS OF APPRENTICESHIP
The DOL Office of Apprenticeship has also recently announced that modifications have been made to the boilerplate Standards of apprenticeship, also known simply as Standards. These modifications were made to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, current OA policies and practices, and have been incorporated into OA’s Standards Builder platform. Bulletin 2022-17 provides further information and an outline of the updates. LEARN MORE
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