State Announces New Apprenticeship Program with CVS Health, Expands Modern Apprenticeship Opportunities
BALTIMORE (March 20, 2018) – The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation today announced a new registered apprenticeship program with CVS Health, and expanded opportunities for Maryland workers in other non-traditional apprenticeship occupations and industries. At the March meeting of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council (MATC), six new sponsors became part of the state’s apprenticeship program, three reactivated their programs, and three expanded their existing programs into new occupations.
“Apprenticeship is a smart workforce development program that works for any industry,” said Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “While the skilled trades have been the predominant force in apprenticeship – and continue to be an effective career development tool in those fields – we are seeing a solid shift into non-traditional trades, such as healthcare and information technology. Today’s announcement exemplifies that shift, with new occupations in emerging fields.”
Having become the nation’s first employer to start a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for pharmacy technicians in 2005, CVS Health is also the first to sponsor a program in Maryland for pharmacy technician and pharmacy managers. Apprentices will receive structured training through the CVS Health Regional Learning Centers in the District of Columbia and District Heights, Maryland, to maintain the high levels of skills needed in the pharmacy field, and will be eligible to apply for a position at one of more than 220 locations in the state.
"As the skills gap in the U.S. widens, CVS Health recognizes the important role apprenticeships, which offer on-the-job training with classroom instruction, play in building a pipeline of future skilled talent,” said David Casey, vice president, workforce strategies and chief diversity officer for CVS Health. “Our new registered apprenticeship program will provide an opportunity for people in Maryland to discover a meaningful career in the world of pharmacy.”
In addition to CVS Health, Cooper Electrical Services, ConnectWork, LLC, Maryland Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, Npower, and the Education Foundation for Baltimore County Public Schools became new apprenticeship sponsors, while Allstate Floors, W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc., and Worthington Armstrong Venture reactivated their programs, bringing the total of Maryland’s active apprenticeship sponsors to 136.
1199 SEIU League Training and Upgrading Fund, the Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH), and the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP) expanded their existing programs. These expansions included new occupations, such as BACH’s surgical technologist and MD MEP’s additive manufacturing technician 3-D printing. MEP's additive manufacturing occupation is not just a first for Maryland, but is, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the first in the nation.
“We are excited about the new apprenticeship occupation for additive manufacturing technician,” said MD MEP Director Michael Kelleher. “The program was put together in response to the needs of the Maryland manufacturing community and it also addresses the changing and emerging technologies in manufacturing. This is a great opportunity for Maryland to be at the forefront of new technologies related to Industry 4.0 and help prepare the manufacturing workforce of the future.”
“The increase of STEM-related occupations is very exciting,” said Secretary Schulz. “It is estimated that, this year, 71 percent of all jobs in the nation will require STEM skills. Apprenticeship occupations like digital media specialist, IT services specialist, and IT generalist will give our workforce the skills they need to succeed in today’s marketplace, and will give our job creators a talented labor pool that will help their businesses thrive.”
Since the beginning of the Hogan administration in January 2015, the number of registered apprentices has grown by nearly 20%; today there are more than 9,300 apprentices learning and earning throughout Maryland. In 2017, a total of 15 new registered apprenticeship programs were created and seven were re-activated, resulting in a record year for the program.
Apprenticeships are full-time jobs that include on-the-job training and classroom instruction, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn. Anyone 18 or older can be a registered apprentice, while high school students can pursue youth apprenticeships. Businesses and job seekers interested in apprenticeships are invited to contact info@mdapprenticeship.com or call 410-767-2246.
About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.
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