Philadelphia is currently reveling in the 10th iteration of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), which will run starting last Sunday until Saturday, according to an announcement from the city’s official website. These programs are pivotal, especially in sectors like construction and manufacturing that are crucial to a robust domestic economy.
This year’s NAW theme, “10 Years of Engagement, Expansion and Innovation,” encapsulates the diverse array of stakeholders involved in cultivating workforce solutions and laying out clear career pathways. Following the directives of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), now is deemed an ideal time for individuals considering a career change or young people to delve into job training in the construction trades. As reported by theCity of Philadelphia website, apprenticeship opportunities not only offer a route to financial stability by allowing apprentices to earn while they learn, but also align with the Good Jobs Principles by providing family-sustaining wages, good benefits, and prospects for career advancement.
The City s Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST) is working to ensure Philadelphia’s infrastructure workforce reflects the city’s demographic diversity, from planning to construction. Mayor Parker has launched the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME), offering free training and job pathways in fields like skilled trades, healthcare, and technology. The city council also passed resolutions recognizing National Apprenticeship Week and Youth Apprenticeship Week from May 5 to May 11, highlighting the importance of youth apprenticeship programs in workforce development.
Additionally, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) and the Department of Aviation are among those offering apprenticeship programs catering to in-demand careers within the skilled trades and STEM fields. Partnerships, like those with the Ironworkers Academy, have been forged to broaden the reach and impact of these training opportunities. Recently, the City has been named a White House Workforce Hub to boost training and job access in construction and infrastructure. Goals have been set to increase apprentices’ participation rates in public works projects and enhance the representation of underrepresented demographics in such initiatives. Moreover, Philadelphia Works (PhilaWorks) received a nearly $2 million grant for the Building Pathways for Infrastructure Jobs initiative, with a keystone focus on renewable energy and transportation. This investment, and the establishment of Geographic and Economic Hiring Preferences (GEHP), heralds the city’s commitment to diversifying and enriching its workforce through robust training programs and inclusive hiring policies.
Several events are planned across the city to celebrate apprenticeships. Everybody Builds is hosting the Elevate You Event, Philadelphia Works is marking ApprenticeshipPHL’s fifth anniversary, and The Philadelphia CareerLink Center’s Northwest location is holding an Apprenticeship Career Fair. These events can be tracked through the National Apprenticeship Week 2024 Event Dashboard. With support from City Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, who is raising awareness through resources like her office’s fourth Apprenticeship Guidebook, the city s workforce is gaining both skills and the support needed to pursue these important career paths.
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