ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week announced that the Maryland Department of Labor received $6.6 million through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to help expand apprenticeship throughout the state. The funding will help connect thousands of Marylanders to good paying careers in vital and high-growth industries, including hospitality and tourism, and will establish a public sector innovation fund to bolster public service attraction and retention efforts.
“With this grant, we will be able to keep pace and continue to add new industries and new occupations, in addition to bringing apprenticeship to more Marylanders,” said Gov. Moore. “The funding will direct key resources to supporting apprentices and establishing connections to partners and employers to bolster staffing, outreach, training, in addition to modernization of the state’s data systems.”
Recognizing the workforce needs of Maryland’s growing hospitality sector, the funding will support the creation of the Hospitality Management Registered Apprenticeship Program. In partnership with Maryland community colleges, the program will combine hospitality studies coursework with paid on-the-job learning within Maryland’s restaurant and lodging industries.
“Maryland is aiming for exponential growth in apprenticeships across various industries,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “In the last five years, Maryland has increased its number of apprentices by more than a thousand each year and more than doubled the number of women in apprenticeship. We are looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead as the result of this funding.”
Registered apprenticeship is a proven model of workforce development that combines related technical instruction with full-time employment and on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a qualified professional. Labor’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning is the State’s Apprenticeship Agency, overseeing Registered Apprenticeship on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor.
“The hospitality industry is an integral part of our economy and this grant provides an innovative and affordable opportunity for home grown talent development,” said Acting Secretary for Maryland Higher Education Dr. Sanjay Rai. “The Maryland Higher Education Commission is so appreciative of our outstanding community colleges, along with the Department of Labor and their partnership, which will provide access to good paying jobs here in Maryland to so many of our residents while supporting an important industry in the state.”
Per the Stevens Amendment, the total cost of the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grant program is $6.6 million. $6.6 million (100%) is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration grant. Maryland was one of only seven states to receive a competitive award under the program, and received the second highest award overall.
