Chamber Celebrates Second Anniversary of Massachusetts Apprentice Network
April 4, 2024 Jason Stevens, Marketing Manager, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
On Thursday, March 28, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation celebrated the second anniversary of the Massachusetts Apprentice Network. James E. Rooney, President of the Foundation welcomed attendees and reflected on what the Network’s name represents:
“I want to pause on saying that the word ‘Network’ was deliberate because both in its founding and in its execution – [the Massachusetts Apprentice Network] is a community, groups of people and groups of organizations working together and lifting up this idea of professional apprenticeship programs and their value in the future of the Massachusetts economy.”
After hearing a data report on the overall network to-date, participants in the room shared their progress in establishing apprentice programs within their respective organizations, ranging from scaling up existing successful initiatives to initiating programs in their early stages.
Attendees like Meichelle Ferguson from Hilton Realty and Tyler McWilliams from Another Age Productions who are beginning to shape their apprenticeship programs described roles that were ripe for apprenticeship, and how they could build on existing internship roles.
For those in the room with recently launched programs, such as YMCA of Greater Boston and Bunker Hill Community College’s new apprentice hubs focused on early childhood education, speakers Dan Weagle of Apprenti and Eric Galis of Cengage Group helped facilitate connections. Through this networking session, attendees were made aware that from talent and training providers to employers and intermediary organizations, the resources they need to scale their newly launched programs were in the room and readily available through the Massachusetts Apprentice Network.
Organizations with established and flourishing apprenticeship programs like Reading Cooperative Bank and Beth Israel Lahey were also in the room, connecting with fellow attendees on how they tailored their apprenticeship programs to their specific talent needs and demonstrating that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Regardless of where they are in the apprenticeship journey, all attendees were delighted to hear from Josh S. Cutler, Undersecretary of Apprenticeship, Work-Based Learning, and Policy for the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Undersecretary Cutler and his team at the Division of Apprentice Standards emphasized they are there to be a partner to employers, offering assistance, webinars on available tax credits, funding opportunities, and many other resources.
The message in the room was clear throughout the celebration: the network is here to help. If your organization is looking to grow or expand its apprenticeship programming, there are many ways the network can be leveraged.
- Employers can exchange ideas peer-to-peer based on which stage in the process they are at.
- Training providers like Bunker Hill and Quinsigamond Community College are here to provide the instructional component of apprenticeships.
- The incredible staff from the Division of Apprentice Standards are here to support organizations navigating the Registered Apprenticeship Program process.
- Talent sources like Resilient Coders want to help with recruiting and preparing individuals for apprenticeship roles with employers in the network, and intermediaries like Per Scholas, Year Up, and Apprenti can support with many aspects of the apprenticeship process, particularly in key industries like tech, cybersecurity and financial services.
Each aspect of the Massachusetts Apprentice Network is an important piece of the full picture for shaping, launching, and expanding a vibrant and successful apprenticeship program in your organization. As the Apprentice Network continues to grow moving into its third year, we thank all participating organizations, especially founding partners from the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and Accenture and welcome any interested organizations to join us in building pathways for individuals to pursue meaningful careers through apprenticeships.
About The Massachusetts Apprentice Network
In 2022, the Massachusetts Apprentice Network launched with 6 founding employers. Since then, it has grown substantially, with a current roster of over 16 participating employers. With talent and training providers, intermediary organizations, and other supporting entities, the Network is actively broadening the adoption of apprenticeships towards it’s goal of collectively hiring 1,000 apprentices by 2027. Recognizing that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, the Network is committed to assisting organizations to develop custom solutions that best meet their apprenticeship needs.
Learn About Funding Opportunities
Michael Holland
Director of Workforce Development Strategy
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce