Governor Hochul Issues Proclamation Declaring May 5-11, 2024, Youth Apprenticeship Week in New York State
NYSDOL Unveils New Online Portal to Help Businesses Start Their Own Youth Apprenticeship Programs and Create a Pipeline Into the Workforce
for New York Students
The New York State Department of Labor today announced that Governor Kathy Hochul proclaimed this week (May 5-11) to be the inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Week in New York State, in line with the federal Youth Apprenticeship Week and events taking place across the nation to highlight pathways for youth into Registered Apprenticeship. This initiative underscores the state’s commitment to enhancing work-based learning opportunities for youth, enabling them to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings alongside professionals.
“Today, the opportunity of using the time-honored earn-while-you-learn Registered Apprenticeship model is growing in popularity both with those looking to comprehensively learn an occupation and with businesses who find this approach successful to train and retain their own workers,” Governor Hochul said. “There is significant interest in expanding this model as an opportunity for youth while they are in high school, and we are proud to partner with businesses and education leaders to grow awareness and expand this opportunity.”
The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) oversees Registered Apprenticeship programs, in partnership with the State Education Department, which approves the Related Instruction portion of the program. Registered Apprenticeship is regulated by rules at both the state and federal level and includes a nationally recognized and portable credential upon completion.
Beginning as part of the inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Week, NYSDOL will aim to:
- Increase awareness about Registered Apprenticeship and the spectrum of career exploration and training models that lead to and include Apprenticeship.
- Show how youth as young as 16 can take part, including in taking part in career exploration and pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare them for Registered Apprenticeships.
- Offer businesses a direct pathway to learn more about starting or expanding a Registered Apprenticeship program.
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “As youth begin exploring their occupational interests, it is important that they consider all possible career pathways. Registered Apprenticeships continue to help young New Yorkers into great occupations while businesses secure a workforce catered to its needs. It is my hope that more employers will consider launching Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships programs to provide the inheritors of our economy with the skills they need to succeed.”
NYSDOL today unveiled a new resource outlining for the first time a comprehensive look at the spectrum of training opportunities that build into these highly sought after programs, including pre-apprenticeship programs, which help individual build skills needed to be successful in both Registered Apprenticeship programs and informal apprenticeships, which do not come with portable credentials and are not consistent across programs.
Registered Apprenticeship programs bring with them numerous benefits. Apprentices learn from experts in their field, find a structured, proven, and intentional way of learning their occupation, get support from mentors along the way and complete their programs with a nationally certified credential. For businesses, advantages include having a pipeline of skilled workers trained in their specific processes along with increased retention and attendance and workers who are more connected to their business.
The Registered Apprenticeship program in New York State, traditionally a gold standard in building and construction trades and the core of how labor unions train workers through joint labor management training programs, is expanding into additional high-demand fields like IT, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Over $6.5 million has been awarded by NYSDOL to support this expansion, with an additional $3 million committed this year to further increase apprenticeships in high-demand occupations. The Department is also providing $2 million to support pre-apprenticeship programs that help underrepresented groups gain entry into these apprenticeships.
The State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) are involved in growing these programs. SUNY offers funding and incentives to support apprentices and employers, while CUNY has integrated pre-apprenticeships into degree programs at 10 colleges. Additional efforts include tax credits for employers, a social media campaign, educational videos, and a state apprenticeship summit scheduled for November 2024 to raise awareness and participation in these programs.
Any business interested in learning more about registered apprenticeship should complete the form on the Department’s new portal.
For individuals interested in learning more about apprenticeship and opportunities in various occupations, visit: https://dol.ny.gov/apprenticeship/
