Western Electrical Contractors Association, Inc.

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WECA Appointed to Two-Year Term as Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador

Thursday, June 1, 2023




 

WECA is happy to announce that we have been appointed as a Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador!

According to the Department of Labor, the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative is designed to create a national network of employers, labor organizations, industry associations, program sponsors, educators, workforce intermediaries, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to serve as champions for expanding and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship.

Terry Seabury, WECA's Executive Director and CEO, applied for the distinction on behalf of WECA and our Registered Apprenticeship programs.

"We are proud to be selected to help promote and expand awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship for the industry, employers, career seekers, educators, and communities," says Terry.

WECA will serve at least a two-year term as a Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador. During this time, WECA endeavors to support the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative as it collectively accomplishes the following:

  • Develops partnerships with intermediaries, community-based organizations, and workforce development partners;
  • Creates new Registered Apprenticeships and/or pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to Registered Apprenticeship, particularly in high-demand industries and/or occupations;
  • Improves equity in Registered Apprenticeships by conducting outreach and recruitment efforts aimed at increasing opportunities for underrepresented populations;
  • Mobilizes resources and new investments to create opportunities for business, philanthropy, and others to invest in apprenticeship expansion;
  • Builds public-private strategic partnerships and other mechanisms to accelerate apprenticeship adoption and innovation;
  • Develops and shares success stories, research, lessons learned, and best practices to advance the impact of Registered Apprenticeships;
  • Scales up current Registered Apprenticeships to expand the availability to more businesses and workers across the country;
  • Expands the use of evaluation and data-driven efforts to improve Registered Apprenticeship;
  • Identifies and scales innovative practices and partnerships to modernize, strengthen, and accelerate the adoption of Registered Apprenticeship;
  • Increases access and support for underrepresented and underserved populations in Registered Apprenticeship including women, youth, people of color, rural communities, justice-involved individuals, and people with disabilities; and
  • Communicates the business case for Registered Apprenticeship as a mainstream workforce strategy for high-demand industries and creating opportunities for good jobs for all Americans across the economy.