Getting Serious: Apprenticeship Equity Solutions for Employers and Sponsors

Event Summary

Companies that aren’t recruiting, building, and supporting diverse workforces are falling behind. Especially now, at a time when talent is at a premium.

You’ve no doubt read articles that say diversifying your workforce expands your access to people with a broad range of skills and a broad range of viewpoints and ideas. But how do you put those ideas into practice and position your company to recruit and retain people from a wide range of backgrounds? And how do you ensure that you can find candidates with the skills you need when you start recruiting outside of your tried-and-true talent pipelines?

Innovative organizations of all sizes and industries are applying modern apprenticeships to fulfill their needs for dynamic workforces that can quickly adapt to the latest trends, technologies, and customer demands. From IT and health care, building trades to finance, cybersecurity and human resources, apprenticeships are a growing training approach in today’s most in-demand occupations and industries.

Join JFF’s National Innovation Hub for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Registered Apprenticeship in this first-of-its-kind, two-day virtual summit to hear from employers across the country on how they’re using the earn-and-learn model of apprenticeship to build skilled, diverse workforces. You’ll come away with:

• an understanding of how work-based learning programs can increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in your organization;
• practical tips and advice from other companies who are doing this work; and
• ideas for tangible next steps and access to no-cost support in developing or enhancing an equitable apprenticeship program at your organization.

This event will be of particular value to business owners, executives, heads of diversity and equity offices, HR professionals, hiring managers, and apprenticeship sponsors. Whether your business is large or small, union or non-union, has an apprenticeship or is just thinking about one, you’ll find helpful solutions to drive DEIA within your workforce.

Day 1: What DEIA in Apprenticeship Means for You

Join us to explore why it’s important to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility when you’re developing an apprenticeship program.

1:00–1:15 p.m. Welcome Eric Seleznow, Angela Hanks

1:15–1:30 p.m. What to Know about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Registered Apprenticeship Deborah Kobes

1:30-1:55 p.m. Are You Ready? Introduction to Organizational Readiness Josh Johnson, Latitia McCane

1:55–2:00 p.m. Looking Ahead Josh Johnson

Day 2: How to Make DEIA in Apprenticeship a Reality

Business leaders offer practical advice on how to prepare your organization to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in apprenticeship. You’ll learn how to forge partnerships and engage with key stakeholders, and how to build truly inclusive apprenticeship programs that support workers and improve retention by strengthening their connection to your organization.

1:00–1:05 p.m. Welcome Josh Johnson

1:05–1:45 p.m. Organizational Readiness Deborah Kobes, Jordan Ponds, Daniel Villao, Tommy Wenzlau

1:45–2:30 p.m. Partnerships and Engagement Jerry Baake, Rhandi Berth, David Polk, Myriam Sullivan

2:30–3:15 p.m. Program Design Vanessa Bennett, Francheska Feliciano, Edison Friere, Sam Johnston, Kristy Shuda McGuire

3:15–3:30 p.m. Next Steps and Available Support Josh Johnson

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA). The product 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 its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.