Employers, human resources professionals and workforce leaders gathered on August 7 for the Gulf Coast Workforce Board’s first Registered Apprenticeship Learning Forum for Employers, focused on how businesses can build and sustain Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
Representatives from SkyMast Energy, Gulf Copper–Davies Defense, TalentForce/AMPP, UTMB and the College of Health Care Professions shared experience from programs across energy, manufacturing and healthcare. James Carnes of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship provided guidance on program registration and federal requirements.
Registered Apprenticeships give employers a structured way to train workers for specific occupations while they are on the job. Programs combine paid, hands-on learning with related instruction, progressive wage increases and a nationally recognized credential. Employers themselves determine the skills apprentices need to learn and how that training is delivered.
The forum also gave employers a closer look at Apprenticeships Work!, the Board’s regional initiative to help businesses develop, launch, and expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Workforce Solutions can help employers assess apprenticeship-ready occupations, develop program frameworks, navigate registration requirements, identify funding opportunities, connect with training and education partners, recruit apprentice candidates, and support implementation. Employers with existing RAPs can also receive targeted recruitment support and assistance promoting their programs.
Employers interested in developing a new apprenticeship program or expanding an existing one can contact Workforce Solutions to learn more about Apprenticeships Work! and upcoming opportunities to participate in the region’s apprenticeship network. For more information, email Employer.Support@wrksolutions.net or visit wrksolutions.com/employers.
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