The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded $6,499,992 to assist national industry and employer associations and labor-management organizations in advancing Registered Apprenticeship through the development of innovative programs that utilize an updated 21st century Registered Apprenticeship framework.

"This funding will promote the development of flexible training options that allow organizations to continue to provide workers with state-of-the-art apprenticeship opportunities" said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Traditional as well as new and emerging industries, such as those related to green technologies, will benefit from the innovative program designs that this $6.5 million will help to support and expand."

Registered Apprenticeship is an "earn while you learn" model that provides a combination of on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by joint employer and labor groups, individual employers, and/or employer associations. Currently the Registered Apprenticeship system includes a network of approximately 30,000 program sponsors nationwide, offering nearly 1,000 different career opportunities.

The grants will fund the development and adaptation of innovative national apprenticeship guideline standards that incorporate competency-based progression or hybrid-style progression (a combination of traditional time-based programs and competency-based models). Funds will also be available to support the development and use of interim credentials to track an apprentice's skill progression; as well as the use of technology-based learning to provide related technical instruction. Funds will also be used to support partnerships with the workforce and education communities. Finally, funds are also available to train staff, apprenticeship instructors and members on these revised and innovative program designs.

The Ironworkers International Union is pleased to announce the receipt of a $536,000 grant to support its development and testing of distance learning under the DOL program. The title of the project is "Expanding Ironworker Apprenticeship: Establishment of a Hybrid-Progression Model".

This grant was secured with the assistance of GSP Consulting, a grant writing consultant organization. GSP's services are provided by IMPACT free of charge to all IMPACT signatory local unions.

Working through IMPACT and the National Training Fund, the Ironworkers will revise their National Apprenticeship Guideline Standards to accommodate both traditional and hybrid-progression apprenticeship programs. The hybrid program will include the traditional hands-on component and a distance learning component. IMPACT and the National Training Fund will be working with Local 387 in Atlanta, Local 732 in Pocatello, ID, Local 495 in Albuquerque, NM and Local 848 in Charleston, SC.