Maryland Awarded $2 Million for Apprenticeship Program

Federal Funds Will Allow for Expanded Opportunities for Training

BALTIMORE, MD (October 24, 2016) – Kelly M. Schulz, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, today announced a $2 million award from the United States Department of Labor’s (DOL) ApprenticeshipUSA Expansion Grant. The grant will be used to invest in the State’s registered apprenticeship programming.

“Apprenticeships allow Marylanders to work while they learn in some of the State’s leading industries. Investing in the future of the State’s workforce means investing in registered apprenticeships. A bedrock of Governor Larry Hogan’s strategic vision to make Maryland 'open for business' is to provide businesses with the skilled workforce they need to compete in the regional and global economies. Under the leadership of Governor Hogan, Maryland is working toward a sizable increase in apprenticeships, from 7,186 in 2012 to 9,258 today, with a goal of 9,500 by the end of 2016,” said Maryland Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz.

The State is aligning apprenticeships with the Maryland’s workforce system to ensure that traditional apprenticeship opportunities expand alongside the creation of new opportunities grounded in labor market demand. The new funds will be used to provide additional staffing and outreach to businesses interested in creating apprenticeship opportunities to meet their talent pipeline needs.

The funds will also enable the Maryland Department of Labor to create a pilot program targeted at increasing apprenticeship opportunities for skilled immigrants in occupations within the healthcare industry.

For more information about apprenticeship opportunities in Maryland, please visit the Department’s website, e-mail the Department’s Apprenticeship team, or contact the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning at 410-767-2173.

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.