Maryland Labor Secretary Appoints Grant Shmelzer as Chair of the Youth Apprenticeship Advisory Committee

BALTIMORE, MD (March 31, 2016) – Under the leadership of Governor Larry Hogan, Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz today announced the appointment of Grant Shmelzer of Montgomery County as the 2016 Chair of the Youth Apprenticeship Advisory Committee. Mr. Shmelzer brings over 20 years of experience in workforce development and has worked to create innovative on-the-job education opportunities as the Executive Director of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Chesapeake Chapter. Under his leadership, the IEC apprenticeship and training program has thrived, expanding to various centers. The programs have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as well as the Maryland Department of Labor and are regarded as among the best in the industry.

“Grant Shmelzer is a well-respected leader who is an advocate for the expansion of apprenticeships as a benefit to employers as well as a pipeline for Marylanders to gain training and employability skills that evolve into a rewarding career. I am confident that as Chair of the Youth Apprenticeship Advisory Committee, Mr. Shmelzer will work to increase opportunities for all Marylanders as he guides our department and the Council in becoming the National leader in apprenticeship opportunities,” said Maryland Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz.

As the Executive Director of the IEC Chesapeake Chapter, one of the IEC’s largest chapters in the Nation, he oversees all day to day operations and he is responsible for working with the Board of Directors to run the IEC Chesapeake and IEC Chesapeake Apprenticeship and Training, Inc. Shmelzer replaces Dr. Arnold Packer as Chair who resigned from the Council in December, 2015.

The Youth Apprenticeship Advisory Committee was enacted by the Maryland General Assembly to evaluate the effectiveness of existing local, national and international high school youth apprenticeship programs and review and identify ways to implement a new high school youth apprenticeship program in Maryland. The Council also works with the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council, the Maryland State Department of Education, and the Department of Commerce to implement the Youth Apprenticeship Pilot Program, currently underway in Frederick and Washington counties and to increase "learn and earn" opportunities for Maryland's youth.