During National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), Educate Texas’ Workforce and Education Community College Apprenticeship Network in Texas (WE CAN TX) alongside Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, and Dallas College brought together healthcare, information technology, and workforce leaders for the Dallas Apprenticeship Accelerator Launch. The goal of the Dallas Apprenticeship Accelerator was to engage employers to provide apprenticeship opportunities that lead to careers in healthcare, information technology, and other in-demand occupations.

Pictured from left to right: Aurora Geis, New Apprenticeship; Anita Bedford, Dallas College; Jenifer Tertel, Medical City Healthcare;  Ami Motsenbocker, Lockheed Martin; Tan Moorthy, Infosys; Lynn Hoffman, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas; John Kuznar, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship 

The 8^th Annual National Apprenticeship Week was observed from November 14-20. The week was an opportunity for organizations across the country to celebrate and promote apprenticeship programs; especially those advancing economic, racial, and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities.

Apprenticeships are an important strategy to fill essential in-demand jobs.  For example, Forbes estimates there are about one million vacant information technology jobs in the US. The American Hospital Association anticipates there will be a shortage of more than three million healthcare jobs in the US by 2026. Apprenticeships provide a prime opportunity to help fill the workforce demand.

“This is a day for us to explore solutions to address how we work to solve some of the talent needs in the market,” said Communities Foundation of Texas Chief Philanthropy Officer Wende Burton. “Apprenticeships provide pathways for local, agile, and adaptable workers to earn while they learn. And for our employers, it creates a talent pipeline that can not only meet our needs today but also our future needs.”

The event featured insightful presentations from Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, Dallas College, and the U.S. Department of Labor. The content covered the state of the job market and opportunity gaps where registered apprenticeships have made and could continue to make an impact. The event was further punctuated by a panel discussion consisting of apprenticeship advocates from leadership positions within the healthcare and information technology sectors. The panelists shared their experiences and insight on constructing a successful apprenticeship program and addressed the questions of the workforce leaders in attendance.

“The key with apprenticeships is not only having a mentor but also a coach,” said New Apprenticeship National Director, Strategic Relationships & Head Coach Aurora Geis, PCC. “Apprenticeships are a great opportunity to bring in a mentor and a coach that helps them successfully build—not only those technical skills but also those life and leadership skills.”

An additional resource that could empower those looking to evaluate statewide work-based learning improvement is the WE CAN TX Data Dashboard. The dashboard provides system data needed to understand regional performance​, assess the progress and effectiveness of new initiatives​, and drive regional investment and prioritization decisions​.

Learn more about WE CAN TX by clicking here.