ALBANY — New York State is promoting registered apprenticeships as a form of higher education “that is often debt free.” It’s part of a new public-awareness campaign that involves Roberta Reardon, commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), and New York State Education (NYSED) Commissioner Betty Rosa promoting that idea. “I thank […]
ALBANY — New York State is promoting registered apprenticeships as a form of higher education “that is often debt free.” It’s part of a new public-awareness campaign that involves Roberta Reardon, commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), and New York State Education (NYSED) Commissioner Betty Rosa promoting that idea. “I thank Governor Hochul for continuing to support registered apprenticeships, and for recognizing how essential quality training is to her plans for economic prosperity,” Reardon said in the state’s Nov. 7 announcement. “It is my hope that through this latest public-awareness campaign, educational partners will encourage young New Yorkers to consider registered apprenticeships as a viable pathway to successful careers.” The public-awareness campaign was announced along with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proclamation of November as Apprenticeship Month in New York. Registered apprenticeships provide New Yorkers access to quality careers through on-the-job learning and supplemental classroom instruction. Apprentices are able to bring home a paycheck to support themselves and their families, without the burden of student loan debt, Hochul’s office said. The NYSDOL oversees registered-apprenticeship programs, in partnership with the NYSED, which approves the related instruction portion of the program. Registered apprenticeship features standardized training “aligned to real-time industry need,” regulated by rules at both the state and federal level and includes a nationally recognized and portable credential upon completion. New York State has more than 17,000 active apprentices participating in over 900 programs across the state. NYSDOL continues to expand programming into new sectors and urges businesses of all sizes to consider using this model to meet their evolving workforce needs. “As the State Education Department works to transform graduation requirements to better meet the needs of students and prepare them for tomorrow’s workforce, expanding apprenticeship opportunities is more crucial than ever before,” NYSED Commissioner Rosa said. “Not only do apprenticeships offer one of the most direct pathways for students to enter into a career that will pay a living wage, but they can often be completed without the financial hardships that may come from student loans. I thank NYSDOL for their continued partnership to bridge the gap between our state’s workforce and the untapped potential of our students.” In addition to the public-awareness campaign, the Nov. 7 announcement also provided details about the New York State Apprenticeship Summit, which was held Nov. 14 in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. It brought together workforce-development experts, advocates, and stakeholders to Albany. They collaborated on ways to expand diversity, address barriers, and attract program sponsors to this form of higher education, per Hochul’s announcement.