Perez Announcing Apprenticeship Grant Competition Today
The $100 million competition "will help to transform apprenticeships for the 21st century and serve as a catalyst to increase the use of apprenticeships to meet employer needs in new high-tech sectors," according to DOL's announcement.
U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez is scheduled to be in Philadelphia on Dec. 11, both to tour the School District of Philadelphia's Computer Science Specialist registered apprenticeship program along with the city's mayor, Michael Nutter, and to announce a $100 million apprenticeship grant competition to promote the expansion of quality and innovative registered apprenticeship programs. DOL says apprenticeships are one of the best training models for skilled trades, but they are underutilized in the United States. "This unprecedented investment will help to transform apprenticeships for the 21st century and serve as a catalyst to increase the use of apprenticeships to meet employer needs in new high-tech sectors," according to the agency's announcement.
The school district and Communities In Schools of Philadelphia Inc. partnered to create the Urban Technology Project, which provides a career pathway to occupations in high demand, such as Computer Support Specialist, while providing technical support to 20 schools and selected Philadelphia School District offices.
Perez is scheduled to take the tour at 10 a.m. EST.