Chris Tonjes

The meeting included discussions and approvals of apprenticeship standards and employer acceptance agreements for various companies and organizations, including BOP 650 Mass, LLC, Sesatra Systems, Go Big Media Inc., The Herald Group, DC Students Construction Trades Foundation, The Rodham Institute, Acquired Data Solutions, DC Department of Transportation, DC Department of Human Services, and Bee2Bee Network. Updates were provided on apprenticeship office activities, such as a pre-apprenticeship training grant awarded to Buildwith and the successful completion of pre-apprenticeship training by summer youth enrolled in the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. The Department of Employment Service created a Career Edge training tool for career-oriented youth. The Office of Apprenticeship will host events for DC Public School educators and non-traditional sponsors in the information technology field, as well as apprenticeship inclusion events for underrepresented populations and events for the upcoming National Apprenticeship Week.

The 2020 Youth Apprenticeship Advisory Committee Report highlights the activities and accomplishments of the YAAC in creating youth apprenticeship program initiatives in the District of Columbia. It focuses on connecting DC resident youth to the apprenticeship system, partnering with DC Public Schools' Career Bridge program and DOES' Office of Apprenticeship, Information and Training (OAIT). The report also addresses expanding apprenticeship programs into non-traditional industries and increasing opportunities for minority youth, with the goal of preparing District residents for sustainable, high-paying careers.

The strategic plan, titled "H.O.P.E. Helping Others Persevere Equitably," outlines the agency's mission to connect residents, job seekers, and employers with opportunities and resources for fair and effective working communities. The plan focuses on four key areas: achieving organizational excellence, serving as a world-class labor and workforce agency, promoting the district's human capital, and creating diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. It aims to support Mayor Muriel Bowser's DC's Comeback Plan by creating new jobs, retaining residents, and increasing economic prosperity for Black residents, while aligning workforce with education.

The meeting included announcements from Workforce Development Specialist Randall Shannon about a virtual apprenticeship hiring fair. The council reviewed and considered apprenticeship standards and employer acceptance agreements for several companies, including Adult Career Technician Academy, Metropolitan Engineering Inc., District Electrical Service, Igloo Construction Inc., Summit Fire & Security, Hensel Phelps Construction Company, Shapiro & Duncan Inc., and Delaware Elevator Inc. The council also discussed the deregistration of Igloo Construction Inc.'s initial apprenticeship program and their plans to retain an active apprenticeship program. There were also discussions about the lack of DC residents employed as journey-workers and the low wages paid to workers in the trade at Summit Fire & Security.

The meeting included announcements from the Workforce Development Specialist regarding a virtual job fair for apprenticeship sponsors. Proposed apprenticeship standards and Employer Acceptance Agreements from several companies were submitted for approval consideration. Updates were provided on pre-apprenticeship training initiatives, youth apprenticeship programs, and events coordinated during the annual National Apprenticeship Week celebration. The council discussed efforts to expand pre-apprenticeship training, initiatives in partnership with IDEA Public Charter School and Ballou Stay Senior High School, and events coordinated during National Apprenticeship Week.