Maryland Apprenticeship Program Grows, Offers Expanded Opportunities for Workers

BALTIMORE (Jan. 23, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Labor today announced the continued growth of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program. At the January meeting of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council, a new registered apprenticeship program, sponsor, and first-of-its-kind occupation were approved, expanding opportunities for Maryland workers in high-wage skilled trade jobs and non-traditional apprenticeship industries.

“Maryland’s vibrant apprenticeship program continues to grow,” said Acting Labor Secretary James E. Rzepkowski. “More and more businesses are discovering that apprenticeship addresses their hiring needs, regardless of the industry in which they work. Apprenticeship builds a pipeline of talent, allowing employers to meet their present and future workforce demands.”

The Department of the Navy became a new apprenticeship sponsor, bringing the total of Maryland’s active apprenticeship sponsors to 146, while the Baltimore City Joint Apprenticeship Committee, City Union of Baltimore Local No. 800 reactivated their apprenticeship program for the occupation of housing inspector.

GSK added the occupation of validation technician to its biotechnology apprenticeship program at its Rockville manufacturing site. This occupation, the first of its kind in the nation, furthers the apprentice’s education and experience in the growing field of biopharmaceuticals within the biotech industry. In Maryland, biotech job postings are growing almost twice as fast as all other postings. In fact, since 2010, job postings in biotech have grown 76 percent faster than non-biotech job postings. Today, there are more than 900 unfilled biotech jobs in Maryland.

“Our GSK apprenticeship program is an important part of our commitment to developing talent and building a diverse workforce,” said Mark Janusz, global HR business Leader. “We have GSK apprentices across the U.S., developing future-focused, hands-on technical skills while completing a college education part time and gaining invaluable paid work experience. We are proud to work with the Maryland Department of Labor and to provide these opportunities for young people beginning their careers in STEM - science, technology, engineering and math.”

The council also approved the addition of five new eligible employers for the Apprenticeship Maryland Program, the state’s youth apprenticeship program. These employers, located in Howard and Frederick counties, include Hawkins Electric Service, Bimbo Bakeries, Precision Bioservices, Watkins Cabinet Corporation, and Tire World Auto Centers.

Apprenticeships are full-time careers that include on-the-job training and classroom instruction, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn. Over the past four years, the number of registered apprentices in Maryland has grown by over 35 percent. Today, over 10,000 apprentices are learning and earning throughout the state.

Anyone 18 or older can be a registered apprentice, while high school students can pursue youth apprenticeships. In 2018, 30 new registered apprenticeship programs were created and 13 were re-activated, resulting in a record year for the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program.

Businesses and job seekers interested in apprenticeships are invited to contact info@mdapprenticeship.com or call 410-767-2246..

About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Theresa Blaner
Director, Communications and Media Relations