On May 17, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) hosted a meeting featuring stakeholders focused on how to expand access to apprenticeships. 

Amy Kardel, senior vice president for strategic workforce relationships at the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), discussed industry engagement in new and emerging sectors, where several recommendations and best practices were highlighted:

• The Department of Labor should not require established intermediaries that meet predetermined quality and performance criteria to reapply for grants if they continue to meet the criteria. 
• The Department of Labor should coordinate efforts and resources to ensure that apprenticeship development and expansion in new and emerging sectors sufficiently incorporates technology and technology skills. 
• The apprenticeship system needs to address challenges unique to the technology sector (e.g., relying on contingent or contract workforces; challenges resulting from technology workers operating remotely).

Noel D. Ginsberg, CEO of Intertech Plastics, Inc. presented on pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeships, noting the importance of two key points:

• prioritizing employers and registered apprenticeship programs that invest in pre-apprenticeships 
• more intentional coordination of CTE pre-apprenticeship efforts and funding between the Departments of Education and Labor 

The Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship provides advice and recommendations on issues related to registered apprenticeships. The committee seeks to align apprenticeship opportunities with education and workforce systems, leading to more equitable access for all workers to participate and succeed in the national apprenticeship system and the expansion, modernization and diversification of apprenticeships in new industries. 

You can view a full list of the committee’s resources here.