DoL (Department of Labor)

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.