What to Know About National Apprenticeship Week in Philadelphia

The City of Philadelphia will join national and local partners in celebrating the 10thedition of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW)from November 17-23, 2024. Registered Apprenticeships have grown nationally as today's economy has put a focus on the need for a highly skilled domestic workforce, specifically in the construction and manufacturing fields.

This year's theme for National Apprenticeship Week is "10 Years of Engagement, Expansion and Innovation." It reflects the transformative power of Registered Apprenticeship in uniting stakeholders nationwide to develop workforce solutions and create career pathways.

Since 2015, more than 2.3 million new apprentices have joined the workforce, an 80 percent increase over the past decade. Apprenticeship programs have grown across sectors, with historic growth and participation in the construction trades. An apprenticeship in the trades can provide a path to financial safety and security, allowing you to earn while you learn.

Careers in the construction trades fulfill the Good Jobs Principles, providing family-sustaining wages with good benefits and opportunities for career advancement. With new programs and projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the time is now for young people and those looking for a career transition to consider job training for a career in the construction trades.

NAW serves as an opportunity to highlight the value of Registered Apprenticeships and demonstrates how these programs strengthen our economy in an equitable way. The City's Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST) is working to ensure that infrastructure workers, from planning to construction, reflect the population of Philadelphia.

Some actions taken by the City of Philadelphia and partners include:

• Mayor Parker launched the City College for Municipal Employment(CCME), a citywide initiative to provide free workforce trainings and pathways to employment with the City of Philadelphia. In addition to training, workers receive wraparound services to provide a holistic approach to developing the City's workforce. Currently, CCME offers trainings and pathways in the skilled trades, healthcare, technology, business and administration, public safety, and STEM. CCME has been working with CCP to deliver their Career Readiness IT Pre-apprenticeship to individuals enrolling in IT offerings. In addition, CCME will be starting an upskilling program with the Water and Streets departments in the Spring 2025 with City employees to receive CCP's Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship program. CCME also works with various City departments to upskill and train City employees from entry level jobs into priority higher skilled vacant positions.

• City Council passed a resolutiondeclaring May 5-11, 2024, as Youth Apprenticeship Weekto recognize the impact of youth apprenticeship programs on workforce development in our city.

• City Council passed a resolution declaring November 17-23, 2024, as National Apprenticeship Week.

• The Department of Aviation's (PHL & PNE airports) Workforce Development Unit launched its apprenticeshipin July 2024, which include tracks for the semi-skilled trades, electricians, electronic technicians, and sign fabricators.

• Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)operates apprenticeship programsfor several in-demand careers in both the skilled trades and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Apprentices receive hands-on experience, classroom training, mentorship, and preparation for civil service exams.

• The City's Rebuild programoffers various pre-apprenticeship training opportunitiesin the skilled trades that provide residents with career pathways, including carpentry and masonry; Rebuild expanded its partnerships this year to include Ironworkers Academywith Iron Workers Local 401 and 405.

• In April 2024, the City was named a White House Workforce Hubto support access to quality training and jobs in construction and infrastructure; this program has goals to increase the participation rate of apprentices on City public works projects by 10% by 2026 and increase the participation rate of underrepresented workers on City public works projects to 20% by 2027.

• The City is adopting Geographic and Economic Hiring Preferences (GEHP)to establish goals for the hiring of apprentices and journeypersons residing in economically disadvantaged zip codes.

• Last month, the U.S. DOL awarded Philadelphia Works (PhilaWorks), the City's Workforce Development Board, a nearly $2 million Building Pathways for Infrastructure Jobs Grantto develop talent pipelines for critical infrastructure sectors, with a particular focus on renewable energy and transportation.

• The City and program partners held an initial kick-off and planning meeting in late October at IBEW Local 98 headquarters for the upcoming "Plug In Philly" pre-apprenticeship program, which will recruit and train 45 Philadelphians of diverse backgrounds for careers in electric vehicle supplies and equipment (EVSE) maintenance.

Philadelphia City Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large) has long been an advocate for helping career seekers better understand the apprenticeship process. Her office's fourth Apprenticeship Guidebook aims to demystify the application process for Philadelphians youth and highlight the possible jobs available after graduating from an apprenticeship program.

Be sure to attend events throughout the city celebrating NAW, including our partners' events:

• Everybody Builds is hosting Elevate You Eventon November 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at LighthouseSports Complex.

• Philadelphia Works is hosting a 5-year celebration of ApprenticeshipPHL on November 16thfrom 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Union Trust.

• The Philadelphia CareerLink Center is hosting a Registered Apprenticeship Career Fair on November 20thfrom 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Northwest location.
• Tours, open houses, career fairs, and union experience events in Philadelphia can be found using the National Apprenticeship Week 2024 Event Dashboard.

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