Maryland’s Growing Apprenticeship Program Adds New Occupations and Employers, Expanding Opportunities for Maryland Workers

BALTIMORE, DE – The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation today announced new registered apprenticeship programs and apprenticable occupations, expanding opportunities for Maryland workers in high-wage skilled trade jobs and non-traditional apprenticeship industries. At the March meeting of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council (MATC), two new sponsors became part of the state’s apprenticeship program, three existing sponsors added a new occupation, and one sponsor reactivated an occupation within its program.

“Maryland’s growing apprenticeship program is providing more and more opportunities for our workers and employers,” said Acting Labor Secretary James E. Rzepkowski. “Apprenticeship is an ideal option for job seekers desiring hands-on training and career advancement, and for employers to develop and grow their workforce.”

Since the beginning of the Hogan administration in January 2015, the number of registered apprentices has grown by nearly 20 percent. Last fall, Maryland reported over 10,000 apprentices for only the second time in the history of the program.

Apprenticeships are full-time careers that include on-the-job training and classroom instruction, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn. Anyone 18 or older can be a registered apprentice, while high school students can pursue youth apprenticeships.

At the March council meeting, Eaton Corporation and Howard Community College became new apprenticeship sponsors, while the Baltimore City Joint Apprenticeship Program reactivated one occupation in its program, bringing the total of Maryland’s active apprenticeship sponsors to 153.

These new programs and reactivations include occupations such as CNC operator, welding technician, industrial maintenance technician, reinforcing metal worker, tree trimmer, and the new occupations of construction project manager and central sterile processing technician.

Two registered apprenticeship sponsors, the Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors of Maryland (HACC of MD) and the Tree Care Industry Association, modified their apprenticeship standards to permit registration for high school students in an approved school-to-apprenticeship program. The school-to-apprenticeship model provides an important opportunity for youth to finish high school having already begun their career in a registered apprenticeship program as a student.

“The Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors of Maryland is very excited to be able to help high school students set a career path for themselves in their freshman year of high school,” said Stephanie Anderson, executive director of HACC of MD. “This new articulation will help these high school students enter the work force earlier and develop relationships with HVAC contractors. It will create new workforce options for our contractors, which is a welcomed opportunity in a growing industry.”

Additionally, the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council approved the addition of five new eligible employers for the Apprenticeship Maryland Program, the state’s youth apprenticeship program. These employers, located in Howard, Queen Anne’s, and Washington counties, include Minnick’s, Gross Mechanical Laboratories, Wye River Marine, Land Cruiser Heaven, Burkholder’s Floor Covering, and the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.

The quarterly meeting of the council was presided over by newly designated chairman Brian Cavey. Chairman Cavey is the business manager of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, Local 24 in Laurel, Maryland, and has been a MATC member since 2014. In his role as chairman, Mr. Cavey will steer the committee in formulating apprenticeship policies and standards of apprenticeship that safeguard the welfare of all Maryland apprentices.

Mr. Cavey brings years of apprenticeship and training experience to the council. As a former apprentice with the Local 24, Mr. Cavey uniquely understands apprenticeship from both the apprentice and employer perspectives. During his time with the Local 24, Mr. Cavey supervised the instruction of more than 100 apprentices and trainees each year and additional skill upgrade training and safety and health training for all members of the Local 24.

“Apprenticeship is a great opportunity for anyone entering, or currently in, the workforce to establish themselves into a career,” said Chairman Cavey. “Apprentices receive the necessary related technical instruction in the classroom then practice what they have learned on the job while receiving good wages and incurring no debt, leading to journeyworker status. I have called it ‘learning a living,’ and it’s something all should consider.”

Chairman Cavey graduated from the National Labor College with a Bachelor of Arts as a double major with degrees in labor education and occupational safety and health.

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

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~ Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR)