Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
top of page
Central Arkansas Workforce Logo- Click here to return to home page

CENTRAL ARKANSAS

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

AREA

National Apprenticeship Week: Join us for celebrations across Central Arkansas and online


National Apprenticeship Week 2024 Logo (Courtesy: ApprenticeshipUSA)
National Apprenticeship Week 2024 Logo (Courtesy: ApprenticeshipUSA)


This week is the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week, and several celebrations are going on across Central Arkansas where you can learn all about Apprenticeships and the benefits they bring to businesses and employees.


According to ApprenticeshipUSA, National Apprenticeship Week is celebrated across the country. Employers, industry leaders, labor organizations, community organizations, workforce partners, educational institutions, as well as Federal, State, and Local government agencies hold events to show the success and value of Registered Apprenticeships. Registered Apprenticeships helps develop a highly-skilled workforce to meet industry needs, and advancing equality.


You can celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by taking part in the following events across Central Arkansas or online:


The U.S. Department of Labor is hosting several Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Center of Excellence Events throughout the week, including in part:


National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) 2024 Youth Symposium

Monday - Wednesday, November 18 - 20

On-site Office Hours

Workshop: Wednesday, November 20

4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. CT

Center of Excellence SME Melissa Aguilar-Southard will present a workshop, “Aligning the Workforce and Apprenticeship Systems: RA and WIOA 101 for Case Managers," during NAWDP's 2024 Youth Symposium.

RA and pre-apprenticeship programs offer both in-school and opportunity youth high-quality workforce development opportunities. This interactive workshop is designed to provide front-line workforce professionals who work with youth and workforce system policymakers and executives with tools and information to develop policy and provide services that leverage Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding to support youth RA and pre-apprenticeship involvement.


Vision 2030: Building the Future of Registered Apprenticeship

Thursday, November 21

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. CT

Safal Partners Chief Delivery Officer, Katie Adams, will join federal and state government officials in discussing the need and vision for continued expansion and modernization of RA to create a stronger, more skilled American workforce. Adams will host a breakout session on our U.S. DOL RA Center of Excellence on Strategic Partnerships and Systems Alignment work to increase America's public workforce system utilization of RA to serve both job seekers and employers. Register here: Vision 2030: Building the Future of RA.


Adult Education & Apprenticeship: Partners on the Path to Sustainable Careers

Friday, November 22

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT

Center partner, the Coalition on Adult Basic Education, will host a webinar featuring Amber Gallup, Ph.D., Adult Education Director at New Mexico Higher Education Department, and Angela Baker, Safal Partners RA SME, on how pre-apprenticeship and RA programs offer adult learners high-quality career pathways to family-sustaining careers in high-demand fields like Cybersecurity and IT. Register here: Adult Education & Apprenticeship: Partners on the Path to Sustainable Careers


The Arkansas Rural Water Association will host an Apprenticeship Resource Summit on Wednesday, November 20 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. CT at their office on 240 Dee Dee Lane in Lonoke.


The Arkansas Rural Water Association Apprenticeship Resource Summit will be on Wednesday, November 20 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Arkansas Rural Water Association Apprenticeship Resource Summit Flyer

The water sector is projected to lose around half its workforce over the next 10 years due to retirements.

This summit is ideal for underserved populations to ensure the next generation is prepared to step into vital roles.

Individuals who are looking to start a career in the water sector, employers interested in developing apprenticeship programs, and organizations committed to supporting underserved populations are invited to join to connect with industry professionals, educators, and fellow participants, learn how to join and succeed in apprenticeship programs, and discover valuable tools and information to navigate the apprenticeship landscape.


Central Arkansas employers and workforce leaders are invited to join the Little Rock Workforce Development Board, Office of Skills Development, Workforce Connections, Arkansas Department of Commerce, and Central Arkansas Workforce/CAPDD on Wednesday, November 20 for the Employers Growing Talent Through Apprenticeship- Employer Forum from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at UA-Pulaski Technical College's Main Campus in the Grand Hall.



The Employers Growing Talent Through Apprenticeship- Employer Forum will be held on Wednesday, November 20 from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Employers Growing Talent Through Apprenticeship- Employer Forum


During the free luncheon, attendees will discover how organizations of all sizes found success implementing a registered apprenticeship program, as well as learn how to leverage registered apprenticeships to help you reach your talent goals.


There will also be opportunities to network, hear from a panel of Apprenticeship Employer Champions, learn about the WIOA program, and answer questions.


For more information on this event, click here.


The Arkansas Division of Higher Education will present "Higher Education Apprenticeship Partnerships: WIN-WIN-WIN" on Thursday, November 21 at 11 a.m. CT.

If you can't attend at that time, a recording will be sent to the people who register for the event.

Apprenticeship “learn and earn” career pathways have expanded far beyond only traditional trades and now include fields such as technology, education, and healthcare. Associate- and bachelor-level apprenticeship degrees are on the rise.

Presenters will share their knowledge of and experience with apprenticeship programs in higher education– WIN for IHE, WIN for employers, WIN for learners and earners.


The event will be moderated by Director of Workforce Development Dr. Tina Moore, with a welcome from ADHE Commissioner Dr. Ken Warden. The presenters will be Assistant Director Educator Effectiveness/Licensure AR Div. of Elementary and Secondary Education Melissa Jacks, Associate Provost of Innovation Reach University Dr. Erin McCarley, Assistant Dean for Business, Technology, and Workforce Education at Waubonsee Community College Dr. Jeanine McMillen, VP of Apprenticeship Degree Design National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree Dr. Holly Smith, Assistant Provost of Workforce Development Waubonsee Community College Ne'Keisha Stepney, and Director for the Center for Workforce Arkansas Community Colleges Kyla Waters.


Comments


bottom of page