Washington – The U.S. Department of Labor announced their first group of Apprenticeship Ambassadors, naming ISHPI as one of the 207 organizations chosen to share their experiences and collaborate with the Department to champion apprenticeship opportunities.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh announced the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative in November 2021,   bringing together industry, labor, education, equity and workforce leaders to partner with the Department’s Office of Apprenticeship. The goal of the Initiative is to promote Registered Apprenticeships as a valuable workforce strategy for developing and expanding opportunities in high-demand industries for people who have been historically underserved.

“ISHPI is proud to partner with the U.S. Department of Labor in joining this national movement,” said Earl D. Bowers, ISHPI’s President and CSO.  “For the last 8 years, ISHPI, along with a consortium of employers and colleges/universities nationwide, has worked to raise awareness of the vital role apprenticeship programs can play in better preparing today’s workforce for the evolving employment landscape. We are committed to the goal of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative and look forward to helping shape the Registered Apprenticeship expansion and diversification.”

About the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to expanding, diversifying, and modernizing Registered Apprenticeship to support the success of  workers, employers and communities across the country. As champions for Registered Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship Ambassadors will partner with DOL to:

• Promote and expand awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship in the U.S. for industry, employers, career seekers, educators, and communities as a whole;
• Identify and scale innovative practices and partnerships to modernize, strengthen, and accelerate the adoption of Registered Apprenticeship;
• Increase 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
• Communicate 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.

View the full list of Apprenticeship Ambassadors here.