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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. The Office of Apprenticeship is committed to supporting Inclusive Registered Apprenticeship Programs that are accessible to all people, including Hispanic and Latino Americans. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Office of Apprenticeship is spotlighting Anahel’s story of succeeding in the medical field through Registered Apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Can Give You the Confidence Necessary for Work and School

Anahel Chaves-Morales

As a high school student, Anahel Chavez-Morales thought she could combine her desire to help others with her Spanish language skills to work with patients in the medical field. How to get there? Well, college of course, and then a job in the field. She had no idea, she said, that apprenticeship was an option. But the opportunity of a Medical Assistant (MA) Registered Apprenticeship at Arbor Family Medicine in Thornton, Colorado, changed all that. The apprenticeship allowed her to get a job in her field right after high school that combined on-the-job learning under a mentor with paid classroom training at Front Range Community College, all while earning a wage.

“I really liked the idea of the compressed model having you work and go to school for the same reason,” she said. “The apprenticeship helped me learn a lot faster and retain the information better, although it is a lot to remember. Money-wise, it is a perfect opportunity for someone who is willing to balance work and school.”

Jeanne Buscietta is Anahel’s mentor (and Chief Operating Officer and Practice Administrator for Arbor Family Medicine). She worked closely with the Apprenticeship Colorado team to develop the MA apprenticeship for two important reasons. First, she describes apprenticeship as creating an essential talent pipeline for their office; over half of their MAs today are registered apprentices. Secondly, she is passionate about the way apprenticeship provides opportunities for people who cannot afford to go to school, then get a job. “What makes [the apprenticeship model] truly special is they are learning while they’re earning, and they’re applying their skill sets that they’ve learned into practice. We want them to have the opportunity . . . to find their niche.” *

Anahel would encourage others considering apprenticeship to “just go for it and try to have a positive mindset through your journey! The people you work with are able to train you and give you the confidence necessary for both work and school.”

For Anahel, “Apprenticeship has helped me achieve goals that will set me up for greater success in my future by learning skills I never thought I’d ever have, [like] administering vaccines, drawing blood, and being more outspoken with and for patients. Being part of the healthcare field for the betterment of patients’ lives is something very special to me, and I cannot wait to continue doing what I do.”

How Apprenticeship Can Help Build a Strong, Diverse Workforce

Apprenticeship is a workforce solution that actively promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace - including race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability. You can view resources below to learn more about the ways that the Department of Labor is supporting different aspects of diversity in apprenticeship to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces.

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Designing Inclusive Apprenticeships

Get tools to help ensure all aspects of your apprenticeship program are inclusive and accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Women in Apprenticeship

Women in Apprenticeship

Discover how the Department of Labor is supporting women so that they can secure good paying jobs through apprenticeship.

ODEP Resources

People with Disabilities in Apprenticeship

Learn more about the ways that the Department of Labor is supporting people with disabilities in apprenticeship.

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INDUSTRY ALLYSHIP

Three organizations formed their own network and programs for tradeswomen.

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BROADENED RECRUITMENT

Community colleges employ strategies to attract and retain female workers in non-traditional fields.

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DIVERSIFIED WORKFORCE

Seeking to include those with employment barriers, including English language learners.

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Technical Assistance

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility RA TA Center – Jobs for the Future (JFF) - This Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Center provides strategies and customized support to employers, education providers, intermediaries, and government entities to drive diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in Registered Apprenticeships.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and advancing DEIA

In 2016 the Department of Labor released updated Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations for Registered Apprenticeship Programs to help businesses reach a larger and more diverse pool of workers. When all workers, including women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities, have the opportunity to become apprentices, we tap into our nation's full potential and open new career pathways for American workers. Learn more about EEO quality standards in apprenticeship programs using our EEO page.