State Announces 7 New Apprenticeship Programs
Expansion Represents Record Year for Program
BALTIMORE (Nov. 15, 2017) – Today, the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation announced the approval of three new Registered Apprenticeship sponsors and the reactivation of four previous sponsors. These newly-approved programs bring the total number of new sponsors added in 2017 to 23, representing a record year for the program. The announcement was made during National Apprenticeship Week at a ceremony held in honor of this year’s sponsors.
“Maryland is open for business, which means we’re also open for apprenticeships,” said Governor Hogan. “Apprenticeships are a sure-fire way for more Marylanders to secure good-paying jobs and for businesses to find exactly the kind of talent they need to succeed in today’s competitive economy. Our administration is committed to continuing to grow apprenticeship opportunities in Maryland.”
1199 SEIU League Training and Upgrading Fund, Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and Bozzuto Management Company joined the ranks of the more than 130 active Registered Apprenticeship programs currently offered in Maryland.
Both SEIU and MEP are offering first-of-their-kind programs in the state. SEIU’s patient care technician (PCT) program is both the first PCT program and PCT competency based program in Maryland. MEP’s machinist program, also the first of its kind, will give apprentices the option to pursue this career in a manner other than the traditional four-year time-based program. Bozzuto brings its successful two-year occupation building maintenance repairer program to Maryland, thereby offering training in a much-needed field.
In addition, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, Raloid Corporation, Harford Systems Inc., and Dixon Valve and Coupling Company were reactivated as participating Apprenticeship Sponsors. These programs, reactivated after a period of dormancy, will bring such occupations as natural resources police officer, machinist, CNC specialist, tool and die maker, and arc welder.
“Our new sponsors have discovered that Registered Apprenticeships and modern apprenticeship models can revolutionize their company’s workforce,” said Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “Apprenticeships work. They build Maryland’s workforce ecosystem by educating, training, retaining, and attracting a pipeline of skilled workers.”
Since the beginning of the Hogan administration in January 2015, the number of Registered Apprentices has grown by nearly 20% to more than 9,600. Since the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program was integrated into workforce development in November 2016, a total of 16 new Registered Apprenticeship programs have been created. The reactivations – nine since November 2016 – are more than double the number of reactivations from the prior three years combined.
Apprenticeships are full-time jobs that include on-the-job training and classroom instruction, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn. Anyone who is 18 or older can be a Registered Apprentice. Businesses and job seekers interested in apprenticeships are invited to contact dlmatpapprenticeshipandtraining-dllr@maryland.gov 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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