3 The Opportunity Ahead: A Call to Action for American Skills and Jobs Modernizing Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training to Upskill Workers On-the-job training and apprenticeships are critical strategies for skill development for adult learners who often lack the time and money to invest in traditional educational programs and degrees. Apprenticeships have always been a part of the American training system, but for too long we have underinvested in the infrastructure to support employers and training organizations to start and expand apprenticeship programs. Where apprenticeships are working – often in collaboration with skilled trades unions – employers can help to expand them; where new models of apprenticeship are relevant for new occupations and industries, our policies should encourage industry and employers to adapt and adopt them. Moreover, in 2014, employers can use apprenticeships to “upskill” and credential and retain their current workers in a more expansive approach to on-the-job training. In partnership with employers, labor unions, training organizations, and state and local officials across the country, the Administration is taking strides to dramatically increase the opportunity for American workers and employers to benefit from apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Modernizing and Expanding the SEIU Leadership in Apprenticeships Office of Apprenticeship. Building off a series of industry Washington will need to train approximately 440,000 home care roundtables held across the workers by 2030 to meet growing demand as Baby Boomers age. The country, DOL will increase its SEIU Health care NW Training Partnership (Training Partnership) aims to work to fill this need. In total, the Training Partnership trains 40,000 Office of Apprenticeship’s students each year in Washington, making it the largest home care capabilities to partner with workforce training provider in the nation. The Training Partnership has employers on creating and also piloted the country’s first DOL Registered Apprenticeship program expanding apprenticeships in for home care aides. The one-year apprenticeship program aims to multiple ways. In six regions help home care aides obtain state certification and raise the quality across the country, the Office of and composition of home care workers. In April, the White House highlighted the Training Partnership’s plans to partner with several Apprenticeship will add employers of home care workers in Washington – including additional staff and launch new government and private companies such as ResCare and Addus – and industry-focused technical its stated goal of expanding its apprenticeship program for home care assistance efforts to help workers over the next five years from 300 to 3,000 apprentices per employers start or expand year. Over the next few months, the Aspen Institute, with support from the Ford Foundation and SkillUp Washington, will conduct a study of apprenticeship programs. DOL the Training Partnership’s approach to better understand the impact of will also begin efforts to provide the organization’s training on the state’s home care workforce and new electronic tools to support home care consumers. employers while streamlining the registration process for apprenticeship programs, with a new, electronic registration process that should reduce the time required for registration, while maintaining a high bar for program quality. Reducing Barriers to Individuals Pursuing Apprenticeships. Employers who offer apprenticeships can find it difficult to attract a diverse group of apprentice candidates to expand their programs. In June, DOL awarded three new apprenticeship assistance centers with grants to support employers looking to recruit more women into apprenticeship. With women only making up 7 percent of apprentices, they represent an untapped source of skills and talent for employers seeking a skilled workforce. The 66