What is the DoL?

The Department of Labor (DOL) is responsible for overseeing the Registered Apprenticeship system in the United States. The DOL's Office of Apprenticeship (OA) provides a number of resources and services to help employers and individuals get started with apprenticeship.

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Resources include:

• The Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Program: The RA Program is a federal program that sets standards for apprenticeships and provides oversight and support to registered apprenticeship programs.
• The ApprenticeshipUSA Portal: The ApprenticeshipUSA Portal is a website that provides information about apprenticeships, including how to find an apprenticeship and how to become an apprentice.
• The National Apprenticeship Week: National Apprenticeship Week is a week-long event that celebrates apprenticeships and the benefits they offer to apprentices, employers, and the economy.

Why does the DoL promote apprenticeships?

The US has been experience a shortage of skilled workers for a couple of decades now. Apprenticeships are a proven way to train and prepare workers for high-skilled jobs. They offer a number of benefits to apprentices, employers, and the economy.

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For apprentices, apprenticeships offer the following benefits:

• Earn while you learn: Apprentices are paid while they learn on the job, which can help them to offset the costs of education and training.
• Gain skills and experience: Apprenticeships provide apprentices with the skills and experience they need to succeed in their chosen field.
• Network with professionals: Apprenticeships provide apprentices with the opportunity to network with professionals in their field, which can help them to find a job after they complete their apprenticeship.
• Earn a credential: Apprenticeships can lead to a nationally recognized credential, which can help apprentices to advance their careers and earn higher wages.

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For employers, apprenticeships offer the following benefits:

• Train and develop a skilled workforce: Apprenticeships provide employers with a way to train and develop a skilled workforce that is tailored to their specific needs.
• Reduce the cost of recruiting and hiring: Apprenticeships can help employers to reduce the cost of recruiting and hiring new employees.
• Improve productivity and efficiency: Apprenticeships can help employers to improve productivity and efficiency by providing employees with the skills and knowledge they need to do their jobs more effectively.
• Attract and retain top talent: Apprenticeships can help employers to attract and retain top talent by providing employees with a path to advancement and a competitive wage.

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For the economy, apprenticeships offer the following benefits:

• Increased economic growth: Apprenticeships can help to increase economic growth by providing employers with a skilled workforce and by helping apprentices to earn higher wages.
• Reduced unemployment: Apprenticeships can help to reduce unemployment by providing training and employment opportunities for people who are unemployed or underemployed.
• Improved skills and productivity: Apprenticeships can help to improve the skills and productivity of the workforce, which can lead to higher wages and a stronger economy.