National Apprenticeship Week will be celebrated this year from Nov. 15–21, giving sponsors the opportunity to showcase their programs, facilities and the apprenticeships offered in their communities, the U.S. Department of Labor said.
The weeklong annual observance highlights the benefits of apprenticeships in preparing a highly skilled workforce to meet the talent needs of employers across diverse industries. Labor and business leaders, educational institutions, career-seekers and other partners are encouraged to register to participate online at National Apprenticeship Week 2021.
“Registered apprenticeships provide a path to the middle class for workers, and this year’s National Apprenticeship Week event is an opportunity to bring together partners with a vested interest in expanding apprenticeship programs and creating a pipeline to success attainable for everyone,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh on Tuesday.
“National Apprenticeship Week allows stakeholders to engage with one another, generate ideas and share creative solutions for encouraging apprenticeship, retraining our workforce and rebuilding our middle class,” Walsh added.
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) also furthers USDOL’s commitment to supporting President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan to create jobs that make America more competitive and provide opportunities to workers from marginalized communities, he said.
First observed in November 2015, NAW celebrates the role of apprenticeship in helping workers earn while they learn and grow the economy. Since its establishment, NAW has prompted more than 5,000 events, 700 proclamations and 470,000 attendees nationwide.
Pandemic social distancing protocols forced many of NAW’S 2020 events to be virtual, which challenged participants to find creative methods to engage audiences and expand reach. Events in 2021 may incorporate virtual and in-person collaborations as participants promote awareness, showcase innovation, explore workplace solutions and identify opportunities for partnerships.
Walsh also announced dates for National Apprenticeship Week in future years: Nov. 14–20, 2022; Nov. 13–19, 2023; and Nov. 18–24, 2024.
Go here to learn more about National Apprenticeship Week 2021.
