ROCKVILLE, MD— Last week WorkSource Montgomery commemorated National Apprenticeship Week in partnership with Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools, along with a number of local organizations and businesses to promote apprenticeship opportunities to students and adults.
We were joined by Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Wu who paid us a visit to show her support for apprenticeship opportunities for our residents and throughout the state.
“It is wonderful to see the investment and partnership with our schools and community college grow registered apprenticeship,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “I applaud the work of WorkSource Montgomery, Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and the county to provide wonderful opportunities for young people to start on the path to careers in healthcare, the skilled trades, transportation, and other growth industries.”
Last week WSM also announced its innovative Career Advising Apprenticeship Program – a first of its kind in the state of Maryland! On Wednesday morning, we held an apprenticeship job fair that targeted students in grades 11 and 12, offering information to them on vocational apprenticeship opportunities. Employer representatives were on hand to provide additional information and answer students’ questions. Approximately 200 students and 14 employers participated in this event. Additionally, we also held separate events this week for employers and adult job seekers to promote apprenticeships. Both were very well attended leading to another successful National Apprenticeship Week for WorkSource Montgomery and its partners.
“As a designated (United States Department of Labor) Apprenticeship Ambassador, we understand the importance of registered apprenticeships as a viable talent solution for businesses. Also, whether an adult or student getting ready to enter the workforce, apprenticeships offer a variety of career pathways with sustainable wages”, WSM Executive Director Anthony Featherstone said. “Furthering our commitment to apprenticeships, earlier this week we announced our new Career Advising Apprenticeship Program and are looking forward to announcing much more on how we are expanding apprenticeships for Montgomery County residents and businesses.
About WorkSource Montgomery (WSM)
WSM is the fiduciary agent for Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding in Montgomery County. The organization operates the American Job Centers in Wheaton and Germantown and provides employment services to Montgomery County residents who are unemployed or underemployed. WSM engages employers in various industries throughout the county to ensure that their workforce needs are being met. For more information about WorkSource Montgomery, visit our website at worksourcemontgomery.com. For more information about MoCo CAP, visit us at mococap.com.