March Recognitions
This March, the Office of Apprenticeship is proud to recognize and celebrate Women's History Month and National Developmental Disability month.
Women's History Month
In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project for being only a week long, Congress passed a publication which selected the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Since then, each president has issued annual proclamations noting the month of March for national recognition. These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific accomplishments women have made over the progression of American history across a wide range of fields.
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
1987 sparked several recognition proclamations, lending to one of important notoriety, the recognition of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This month was proclaimed to destigmatize those with developmental disabilities. Since then, the goal has been to continue to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness to the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities and workplaces in which they live.
Just Do It! Don’t Wait: Krystel’s Success Story
Krystel wanted an opportunity to be challenged, grow professionally, and be the best role model and support for her kids that she could be.
A Pathway to Success for Women in the Trades: Liz's Success Story
“I learned a skilled trade and feel comfortable in the knowledge that I can support myself and my family for my entire career."
Blind Institute of Technology: Increasing Diversity in Tech Apprenticeship
U.S. DOL Industry Intermediary for Cyber and Tech Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Nor Cal Women Apprentices making the Difference
Nor Cal Carpenters Women Apprentices are making a Difference and Building the Future.
People with Disabilities in Good Jobs: Employment Success Stories
There are eight “Good Jobs” principles—ranging from fair pay and benefits to organizational culture and job security—that create a universal framework for job quality. When employees with disabilities and other barriers to employment receive the right supports, they, along with their employers, thrive. The following real-life success stories from the ODEP-funded National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center) show the Good Jobs principles in action.
Webinars
- Empowering Stories from Black Women in Inclusive Apprenticeships Webinar - In this webinar, hosted by the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, the Office of Apprenticeship, and PIA you will learn about inclusive apprenticeship success stories from Black female apprentices (one who is a Veteran and one who has a disability) and discover resources and tools to help you create inclusive apprenticeship programs for people from underserved and underrepresented communities.
- A Military Veteran Finds Her Career in Cybersecurity through Apprenticeship - Military veteran, Kristin Strand, shares how her experience in the Apprenti Tech Apprenticeship program helped advance her career in cybersecurity.
Reports
The Fast-Growing Number of Black Women Apprentices (Women's Bureau Blog)- Apprenticeship creates a promising pathway to skilled jobs for women, especially women of color, that combines on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction using an “earn and learn” model.
- Tools For Building An Equitable Infrastructure Workforce (Women's Bureau Report) - This module provides guidance on strategies and best practices for recruiting and retaining women in construction, manufacturing, and clean energy jobs.
- How Apprenticeship Programs in Construction Trades Can Establish Family-Friendly Policies (JFF, DEIA TA Center of Excellence, Report)- The construction industry’s lack of pregnancy and family medical leave policies can limit women’s ability to complete apprenticeships successfully and safely, often forcing tradeswomen to choose between their work and their families. This brief provides information and best practices on how construction employers can offer these crucial benefits.
The above report was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of DOL/ETA. DOL/ETA makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or their completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This report is copyrighted by the institution that created it.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Insights Report for 2023-2024
The WTIA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Center of Excellence is excited to present our comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Insights Report for 2023-2024.
Why is this report relevant to you? Advancing DEI in the current sociopolitical and economic climate poses greater obstacles for practitioners and leaders who are committed to improving workplace experiences for diverse workers. Now more than ever, creating meaningful change in technology workplaces requires actionable strategies that are rooted in data and knowledge about what organizations need to continue progress toward achieving their DEI aspirations.
The latest report offers a detailed overview of DEI practices across various tech entities, including companies, educational institutions, nonprofits, and social enterprises. The findings were derived from a meticulous research process, where we maintained strict confidentiality for all participants throughout data gathering and analysis.
Key Highlights
- Organizations face difficulties in attracting and retaining diverse talent, often resulting from deep-rooted systemic and structural racism.
- External factors, such as the Great Resignation and the exodus of BIPOC talent due to microaggressions, play a role in shaping organizational culture.
- The silver lining: Despite obstacles, the commitment to DEI remains robust. Executive leaders are progressively viewing equity and inclusion leadership as integral to change management.
To access the full report, click here.
How You Can Benefit From Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Apprenticeship
As the U.S. expands apprenticeship training nationally, a diverse workplace helps businesses access all our nation's talent. In this video, learn how organizations like the Philadelphia School District and Newport News Shipbuilding are using apprenticeship to attract and build talent, including people with and without disabilities, women, and people of color.
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.
Inclusive apprenticeships are apprenticeship programs that are accessible to all and are designed to meet employers’ most critical hiring needs aligned with their diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) goals. The Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship (PIA) launched in 2020, which is an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) to help employers design programs that create a pool of qualified candidates with disabilities in growing industries including clean energy, IT, data science, healthcare, financial services, and more.
Explore our resources below and see additional tools from the Office of Disability Employment Policy.
How Apprenticeship Promotes Diversity
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.
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
Discover how the Department of Labor is supporting women so that they can secure good paying jobs through apprenticeship.
People with Disabilities in Apprenticeship
Learn more about the ways that the Department of Labor is supporting people with disabilities in apprenticeship.
Case Studies
Because EEO is a cornerstone of Registered Apprenticeship, the Department of Labor encourages employers and sponsors to consider the role of diversity and inclusion in your business or organization. Learn about diversity in apprenticeship through research and real-life examples that demonstrate how apprenticeship programs embody these values and practices, and are creating more inclusive workplaces.
INDUSTRY ALLYSHIP
Three organizations formed their own network and programs for tradeswomen.
BROADENED RECRUITMENT
Community colleges employ strategies to attract and retain female workers in non-traditional fields.
DIVERSIFIED WORKFORCE
Seeking to include those with employment barriers, including English language learners.
Have Questions?
Learn more about EEO quality standards in apprenticeship programs and contact your local Apprenticeship Consultant using our Apprenticeship Partner Finder.