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Getting Serious: Apprenticeship Equity Solutions for Employers and Sponsors

At a Glance

Join JFF’s National Innovation Hub for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in this first-of-its-kind, two-day virtual summit to hear from employers across the country on how they’re using the earn-and-learn model of apprenticeship to build skilled, diverse workforces.
Date May 4 - May 5, 2022

 

Companies that aren’t recruiting, building, and supporting diverse workforces are falling behind. Especially now, at a time when talent is at a premium.

You’ve no doubt read articles that say diversifying your workforce expands your access to people with a broad range of skills and a broad range of viewpoints and ideas. But how do you put those ideas into practice and position your company to recruit and retain people from a wide range of backgrounds? And how do you ensure that you can find candidates with the skills you need when you start recruiting outside of your tried-and-true talent pipelines?

Innovative organizations of all sizes and industries are applying modern apprenticeships to fulfill their needs for dynamic workforces that can quickly adapt to the latest trends, technologies, and customer demands. From IT and health care, building trades to finance, cybersecurity and human resources, apprenticeships are a growing training approach in today’s most in-demand occupations and industries.

Join JFF’s National Innovation Hub for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Registered Apprenticeship in this first-of-its-kind, two-day virtual summit to hear from employers across the country on how they’re using the earn-and-learn model of apprenticeship to build skilled, diverse workforces. You’ll come away with:

  • an understanding of how work-based learning programs can increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in your organization;
  • practical tips and advice from other companies who are doing this work; and
  • ideas for tangible next steps and access to no-cost support in developing or enhancing an equitable apprenticeship program at your organization.

This event will be of particular value to business owners, executives, heads of diversity and equity offices, HR professionals, hiring managers, and apprenticeship sponsors. Whether your business is large or small, union or non-union, has an apprenticeship or is just thinking about one, you’ll find helpful solutions to drive DEIA within your workforce.

Don’t miss out—reserve your spot today!

 

What DEIA in Apprenticeship Means for You

Day 1 | Wednesday, May 4 | 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET

Join us to explore why it’s important to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility when you’re developing an apprenticeship program.

1:00–1:15 p.m. Welcome, Eric Seleznow, Angela Hanks

1:15–1:30 p.m. What to Know about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Registered Apprenticeship, Deborah Kobes

1:30-1:55 p.m. Are You Ready? Introduction to Organizational Readiness, Josh Johnson, Latitia McCane

1:55–2:00 p.m. Looking Ahead, Josh Johnson

Angela Hanks

Acting Assistant Secretary, U.S. DOL Employment and Training Administration

Joshua Johnson

Director, JFF

Deborah Kobes

Senior Director, JFF

Latitia McCane

Director of Education, The Apprentice School

Eric Seleznow

Senior Advisor, JFF

Closed-door Employer Forum 2:30-3:30 p.m. ET: An exclusive conversation in which business leaders and apprenticeship sponsors can candidly share thoughts and ideas about the opportunities, challenges, and questions involved with recruiting and retaining a more diverse workforce through Registered Apprenticeship.

How to Make DEIA in Apprenticeship a Reality

Day 2 | Thursday, May 5 | 1:00-3:30 p.m. ET

Business leaders offer practical advice on how to prepare your organization to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in apprenticeship. You’ll learn how to forge partnerships and engage with key stakeholders, and how to build truly inclusive apprenticeship programs that support workers and improve retention by strengthening their connection to your organization.

1:00–1:05 p.m. Welcome, Josh Johnson

1:05–1:45 p.m. Organizational Readiness, Deborah Kobes, Jordan Ponds, Daniel Villao, Tommy Wenzlau

1:45–2:30 p.m. Partnerships and Engagemen, Jerry Baake, Rhandi Berth, David Polk, Myriam Sullivan

2:30–3:15 p.m. Program Design, Vanessa Bennett, Francheska Feliciano, Edison Friere, Sam Johnston, Kristy Shuda McGuire

3:15–3:30 p.m. Next Steps and Available Support, Josh Johnson

Jerry Baake

Manager, Workforce Development, Advocate Aurora Health

Vanessa Bennett

Associate Director, JFF

Rhandi Berth

Vice President, Workforce Institute

Francheska Feliciano

Global Growth & Strategy Lead, Early Careers, Aon

Edison Freire

Director of Gateway Initiatives, JEVS Human Services

Joshua Johnson

Director, JFF

Sam Johnston

Director of Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development, CAST

Deborah Kobes

Senior Director, JFF

David Polk

Director, Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards

Jordan Pounds

Apprentice, Blum USA

Kristy Shuda McGuire

Dean of Biomedical Studies, The Wistar Institute

Myriam Sullivan

Director, JFF

Daniel Villao

CEO, Intelligent Partnerships

Tommy Wenzlau

Talent Leader, New Collar Initiatives, IBM

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA). The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of DOL/ETA. DOL/ETA makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.

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