registered apprenticeship and 21st century talent development workforce development symposium chicago, october 2, 200

1. Registered Apprenticeship and 21st Century Talent Development Douglas F. SmallDeputy Assistant Secretary Employment and Training Administration Welcome and thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this exciting event. Today�s symposium gives me an opportunity to introduce you to the new National Apprenticeship System: How it operates; The role of the Office of Apprenticeship and its 23 offices; The role of the 27 state apprenticeship agencies; and What Registered Apprenticeship is going to look like in the 21st Century. Although the concept of apprenticeship spans hundreds, even thousands of years, the National Apprenticeship Act was enacted in 1937, with the purpose of formulating and promoting labor standards and safeguarding the welfare of apprentices. Since 1937, the Registered Apprenticeship System has grown into a system that trains skilled workers to create world class products, buildings, and services. The Registered Apprenticeship System has, and continues to provide, quality training and employment to American workers representing approximately 449,000 apprentices, 29,000 apprenticeship programs, and 250,000 employers nationwide. Welcome and thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this exciting event. Today�s symposium gives me an opportunity to introduce you to the new National Apprenticeship System: How it operates; The role of the Office of Apprenticeship and its 23 offices; The role of the 27 state apprenticeship agencies; and What Registered Apprenticeship is going to look like in the 21st Century. Although the concept of apprenticeship spans hundreds, even thousands of years, the National Apprenticeship Act was enacted in 1937, with the purpose of formulating and promoting labor standards and safeguarding the welfare of apprentices. Since 1937, the Registered Apprenticeship System has grown into a system that trains skilled workers to create world class products, buildings, and services. The Registered Apprenticeship System has, and continues to provide, quality training and employment to American workers representing approximately 449,000 apprentices, 29,000 apprenticeship programs, and 250,000 employers nationwide.

2. As you know, Registered Apprenticeship has a long history of training American workers and meeting the needs of business and industry. The unique appeal of this system is that it is industry driven and supported by public and private partnerships, as well as employers, employer organizations, associations, and labor organizations. Registered Apprenticeship is all about the development of worker skills and increased productivity. Roles: Community colleges often function as related technical instruction providers for apprenticeship training programs. The employer communicates its workforce needs and hires apprentices for training and development according to those employer needs. The apprentice earns while he/she learns and gains productivity on the job. Industry communicates skills that are in high demand; and that are transferable within the industry, thereby helping to ensure a portable workforce. As you know, Registered Apprenticeship has a long history of training American workers and meeting the needs of business and industry. The unique appeal of this system is that it is industry driven and supported by public and private partnerships, as well as employers, employer organizations, associations, and labor organizations. Registered Apprenticeship is all about the development of worker skills and increased productivity. Roles: Community colleges often function as related technical instruction providers for apprenticeship training programs. The employer communicates its workforce needs and hires apprentices for training and development according to those employer needs. The apprentice earns while he/she learns and gains productivity on the job. Industry communicates skills that are in high demand; and that are transferable within the industry, thereby helping to ensure a portable workforce.

3. High Growth Industrieswith Registered Apprenticeship Advanced Manufacturing Aerospace Automotive Biotechnology Construction Energy Financial Services Geospatial Health Care Homeland Security Hospitality Information Technology Retail Trade Transportation Since 2001, Registered Apprenticeship has moved into all the high growth industries, providing a training and employment model that is key in developing talent to keep businesses competitive One of the innovative areas we have developed apprenticeship programs is in medical transcription, where apprentices learn and work from home.Since 2001, Registered Apprenticeship has moved into all the high growth industries, providing a training and employment model that is key in developing talent to keep businesses competitive One of the innovative areas we have developed apprenticeship programs is in medical transcription, where apprentices learn and work from home.

4. Registered Apprenticeship System - WIRED WIRED helps business & industry to develop partnerships that together help to reshape the regional economy. Talent development keeps employers & industries competitive. Global and regional economic development is ETA�s answer to transforming the workforce system away from silos. The expanding role of education requires ETA to focus on competency attainment, career ladders & lattices. ETA is committed to new methods of training/new employees. Through WIRED, Registered Apprenticeship now exists in new and emerging business sectors and technological industries. Through important and relevant partnerships, business and industries are now working together within their regions to help reshape and transform their own economy. Through WIRED, skill development will lead to talent development which keeps employers and industries competitive. Through WIRED and related program initiatives, ETA is moving away from government silos and integrating workforce development and Registered Apprenticeship into economic development at the regional level where it counts. ETA also recognizes that education is key to talent development, which is why our investments are targeted in Community-Based Job Training Grants. In CBJTG, there is an educational focus on competency attainment, career ladders, and career lattices. New talent development methods include: competency-based training; and a combination of -- hybrid of time and competency-based training. Through WIRED, Registered Apprenticeship now exists in new and emerging business sectors and technological industries. Through important and relevant partnerships, business and industries are now working together within their regions to help reshape and transform their own economy. Through WIRED, skill development will lead to talent development which keeps employers and industries competitive. Through WIRED and related program initiatives, ETA is moving away from government silos and integrating workforce development and Registered Apprenticeship into economic development at the regional level where it counts. ETA also recognizes that education is key to talent development, which is why our investments are targeted in Community-Based Job Training Grants. In CBJTG, there is an educational focus on competency attainment, career ladders, and career lattices. New talent development methods include: competency-based training; and a combination of -- hybrid of time and competency-based training.

5. Registered Apprenticeship A Voluntary Training System A two-part program: on the job learning complimented by theory or related instruction Apprentices are employees Partnership includes employers, employees, & government The goal is to train unskilled or semiskilled workers to become fully-skilled, productive workers The model�which combines employment, on the job learning, mentoring, and an increased wage scale�is used more and more in industries requiring highly skilled workers. The model�which combines employment, on the job learning, mentoring, and an increased wage scale�is used more and more in industries requiring highly skilled workers.

6. Registered Apprenticeship One of the innovations has been the competency model and interim credentials. - Apprentices are given certificates after they master tasks and skills to show what they are able to do. - This is beneficial to both employers and apprentices. Employers will know exactly what kind of skill sets they are getting when they hire talent. Apprentices are able to supplement the certificates with their resumes to show employers what skills they have managed.One of the innovations has been the competency model and interim credentials. - Apprentices are given certificates after they master tasks and skills to show what they are able to do. - This is beneficial to both employers and apprentices. Employers will know exactly what kind of skill sets they are getting when they hire talent. Apprentices are able to supplement the certificates with their resumes to show employers what skills they have managed.

7. It�s All About Integration The Registered Apprenticeship System has taken long strides to integrate with the Workforce Investment System (WIS). Your efforts have resulted in the publication of a TEGL. The utilization of Webinars with great success. Office of Apprenticeship has partnered with YouthBuild, the Youth Office and now has a Co-lead for the Generation III WIRED regions. It is obvious to me, that our Apprenticeship staff are innovative in their approach to integration. Integration is a significant element for apprenticeship to continue to play a vital role in preparing America�s Workforce. I�ve met with your senior leadership and in our meetings we have discussed the need for apprenticeship to integrate with the Workforce Investment System (WIS). You have taken this suggestion to heart. Your efforts have resulted in the publication of a TEGL. As my boss says it is one of the best written TEGL documents we have seen. The TEGL is a significant step forward for apprenticeship to integrate with WIS. I felt that we need to go further in the integration process and again you have responded positively. OA has utilized the Webinars with great success. Speaking of Webinars, OA has one of, if not the highest, participation rate on all of its Webinars. The information provided is outstanding. OA has partnered with YouthBuild, the Youth Office, and now has a Co-lead for the Gen III WIRED regions. This is the beginning of integration! We need to continue these integration efforts while looking for additional opportunities both at the state and national level. It is obvious to me, that our Apprenticeship staff are innovative in their approach to integration. Integration is a significant element for apprenticeship to continue to play a vital role in preparing America�s Workforce. I�ve met with your senior leadership and in our meetings we have discussed the need for apprenticeship to integrate with the Workforce Investment System (WIS). You have taken this suggestion to heart. Your efforts have resulted in the publication of a TEGL. As my boss says it is one of the best written TEGL documents we have seen. The TEGL is a significant step forward for apprenticeship to integrate with WIS. I felt that we need to go further in the integration process and again you have responded positively. OA has utilized the Webinars with great success. Speaking of Webinars, OA has one of, if not the highest, participation rate on all of its Webinars. The information provided is outstanding. OA has partnered with YouthBuild, the Youth Office, and now has a Co-lead for the Gen III WIRED regions. This is the beginning of integration! We need to continue these integration efforts while looking for additional opportunities both at the state and national level.

8. Outreach for a Diverse Workforce Strong partnerships at the local level: WANTO Grants � Outreach to Women & Minorities Community-Based Organizations One-Stop Career Centers and Workforce Investment Boards YouthBuild Programs and Job Corp Centers Local School Districts These are just a few on-going efforts in ETA that shows the success of integration and strong partnerships that we are developing at the local level.These are just a few on-going efforts in ETA that shows the success of integration and strong partnerships that we are developing at the local level.

9. Skilled Worker Shortage � H-2B Immigration I wanted to show this chart to illustrate the number of skilled worker shortages in today�s economy. The way to address the issues of skilled worker shortages is through engagement at the local level, encompassing all partners � the business community, education system, and workforce investment system. For instance, ETA�s Apprenticeship system will lead the way in addressing the construction industry�s need for skilled laborers through: -- Coordination and collaboration with community colleges; and -- through public-private partnerships where there is proven success in training. I wanted to show this chart to illustrate the number of skilled worker shortages in today�s economy. The way to address the issues of skilled worker shortages is through engagement at the local level, encompassing all partners � the business community, education system, and workforce investment system. For instance, ETA�s Apprenticeship system will lead the way in addressing the construction industry�s need for skilled laborers through: -- Coordination and collaboration with community colleges; and -- through public-private partnerships where there is proven success in training.

10. Apprenticeship in the 21st Century Collaboration with the Department of Defense Brokers the Apprenticeship program with the Medical Transcription Industry & military spouses Promotes military spouse employment One model that illustrates what we think the Apprenticeship System will represent in the 21st century is --- Our agency is working collaboratively with the Department of Defense to drive a national workforce agenda for promoting military spouse employment and training. As mentioned earlier, the DOL is delighted to have brokered the apprenticeship program with the Medical Transcription Industry and military spouses. This is the first tele-work apprenticeship program we have registered; and one that we are extremely proud of. This model offers an efficient, flexible training system, responsive to new technology to keep workers up-to-date on skills they need to do their jobs. When we began working with the medical transcription industry on their apprenticeship program, we realized what a benefit this line of work could be to military spouses. The medical transcription program allows military spouses to learn the trade and work from anywhere in the United States or the world. All they need are a connection to the internet and a phone. This opportunity is going to help military families stabilize their lives�both economically and give peace of mind. They may move countless times, but spouses won�t have to go through the upheaval of quitting their jobs and finding another in a new location. They will continue to stay employed no matter where they are. One model that illustrates what we think the Apprenticeship System will represent in the 21st century is --- Our agency is working collaboratively with the Department of Defense to drive a national workforce agenda for promoting military spouse employment and training. As mentioned earlier, the DOL is delighted to have brokered the apprenticeship program with the Medical Transcription Industry and military spouses. This is the first tele-work apprenticeship program we have registered; and one that we are extremely proud of. This model offers an efficient, flexible training system, responsive to new technology to keep workers up-to-date on skills they need to do their jobs. When we began working with the medical transcription industry on their apprenticeship program, we realized what a benefit this line of work could be to military spouses. The medical transcription program allows military spouses to learn the trade and work from anywhere in the United States or the world. All they need are a connection to the internet and a phone. This opportunity is going to help military families stabilize their lives�both economically and give peace of mind. They may move countless times, but spouses won�t have to go through the upheaval of quitting their jobs and finding another in a new location. They will continue to stay employed no matter where they are.

11. Apprenticeship in the 21st Century Committed to Exploring Industry-driven partnerships Continuing talks with National employers about their workforce needs Identifying industry sectors for military spouses that offer more portable credentials Helping to overcome barriers. In this and other fields, we are strongly committed to exploring industry-driven partnerships to engage and support military spouses as an untapped pipeline of talent. We are continuing to talk with national employers about their workforce needs and ideas for employing military spouses, as well as educating employers on the benefits of hiring military spouses by leveraging the resources of the public workforce system. We are identifying key industry sectors that may be most friendly to military spouse mobility and offer more portable credentials such as financial services, hospitality, etc. We are exploring strategies to overcome barriers with cross-state licensing and certification. And, we are working to help them translate their credentials, certifications, and licenses across state lines through increased access to training as well as reciprocity agreements. The Medical Transcription apprenticeship program is a good example in this effort because it links the apprenticeship program to the industry�s national certification. In this and other fields, we are strongly committed to exploring industry-driven partnerships to engage and support military spouses as an untapped pipeline of talent. We are continuing to talk with national employers about their workforce needs and ideas for employing military spouses, as well as educating employers on the benefits of hiring military spouses by leveraging the resources of the public workforce system. We are identifying key industry sectors that may be most friendly to military spouse mobility and offer more portable credentials such as financial services, hospitality, etc. We are exploring strategies to overcome barriers with cross-state licensing and certification. And, we are working to help them translate their credentials, certifications, and licenses across state lines through increased access to training as well as reciprocity agreements. The Medical Transcription apprenticeship program is a good example in this effort because it links the apprenticeship program to the industry�s national certification.

12. Use of Technology Apprenticeship Electronic Registration Sponsor Electronic Registration Direct Data Transfer Career Voyages ETA has made the use of technology a priority through Apprenticeship Electronic Registration ? Apprentices are now able to enter personal data on-line. ? We can track individual progress. ? Have a transcript of courses taken. Sponsor Electronic Registration ? Sponsors enter program data reducing clerical errors. ? Ease of Government monitoring of standards. ? Sponsor ease in tracking of program participants. ETA has made the use of technology a priority through Apprenticeship Electronic Registration ? Apprentices are now able to enter personal data on-line. ? We can track individual progress. ? Have a transcript of courses taken. Sponsor Electronic Registration ? Sponsors enter program data reducing clerical errors. ? Ease of Government monitoring of standards. ? Sponsor ease in tracking of program participants.

13. Apprenticeship: Future Continue to support & increase awareness of Registered Apprenticeship as a viable post-secondary strategy Curriculums are tailored to employer/industry skills requirements Entry into new markets (e.g., Biotech, IT, Geospatial, & Manufacturing) In conclusion, the Department will continue to support the apprenticeship community, and increase the awareness of Registered Apprenticeship as a viable post-secondary strategy among high growth industries and the Workforce Investment System. Apprenticeship curriculums and On-the-Job learning are now tailored to employer/industry skill requirements. There is entry of Registered Apprenticeship into industries, such as Biotechnology, Geospatial Technology, and Information Technology, including updating and developing skills in Advanced Manufacturing, fully integrating evolving technology. In conclusion, the Department will continue to support the apprenticeship community, and increase the awareness of Registered Apprenticeship as a viable post-secondary strategy among high growth industries and the Workforce Investment System. Apprenticeship curriculums and On-the-Job learning are now tailored to employer/industry skill requirements. There is entry of Registered Apprenticeship into industries, such as Biotechnology, Geospatial Technology, and Information Technology, including updating and developing skills in Advanced Manufacturing, fully integrating evolving technology.

14. Questions/Answers Please Contact: Anthony Swoope, Administrator Employment and Training Administration U.S. Department of labor Washington, DC 20210