September 6th, 2022 by WCBC Radio

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland has reached more than 12,000 registered apprentices currently earning and learning in the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program—the highest number of apprentices ever in state history.

“Maryland is recognized as a national leader in workforce development, job training, and registered apprenticeships,” said Governor Hogan. “We have grown and diversified apprenticeships more than any other administration in state history, and we have the tools and the talent to continue building a steady pipeline of well-trained skilled workers for the jobs of the future.” 

As of today, there are over 12,000  apprentices registered across Maryland’s 182 active apprenticeship programs partnering with 3,879 employers.

“Since day one, Governor Hogan has been focused on utilizing common sense solutions to grow and expand economic opportunity for all Marylanders,” said Secretary Tiffany P. Robinson of the Maryland Department of Labor. “His steadfast support for Registered Apprenticeship has allowed MD Labor to not only grow the number of apprentices in our state to this historic level, but also to grow and diversify the industries and occupations that are served by our successful apprenticeship system.”

Over the past nearly eight years, the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program:

• Created a total of 127 new Registered Apprenticeship programs and attracted more apprentices to enroll in these programs than ever before;
• Introduced Registered Apprenticeships to new industries such as automotive, cybersecurity, healthcare, IT, and manufacturing, while also adding apprenticeship opportunities for 89 occupations not previously available through the apprenticeship model in the state;
• Achieved significant milestones for Registered Apprenticeships both in the state and country, further cementing Maryland as a national leader;
• Created a highly successful youth apprenticeship initiative that serves as a direct on-ramp for high school students to enter into apprenticeship opportunities; and
• Expanded capacity and developed highly innovative practices to ensure the continued growth of this critical program in the future.

Apprenticeships are full-time jobs that include on-the-job training and classroom instruction, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn. Anyone 18 years of age or older can be a registered apprentice. Businesses and job seekers interested in apprenticeships are invited to contact info@mdapprenticeship.com or call 410-767-2246.

Workforce development has been a top priority throughout the Hogan administration, including:

• The P-TECH education model, which gives young Marylanders the opportunity to earn a no-cost, two-year associate degree simultaneously with their high school diploma, while also getting the benefit of mentors and paid summer internships;
• Eliminating the four-year degree requirement for thousands of state jobs, a first-in-the-nation workforce initiative to promote opportunities for individuals who have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have developed their skills through alternate routes such as community college, apprenticeships, military service, boot camps, and most commonly, on the job;
• More than doubling funding for EARN Maryland, the state’s nationally-recognized program that connects partners with industry stakeholders. A recent study on the return on investment for the EARN program revealed that for every $1 of state funding invested, an additional $17.32 in economic impact is created; and
• Securing a $23 million Good Jobs Challenge grant to implement a new apprenticeship model to support the region’s growing offshore wind industry. Maryland’s project was one of 32 chosen nationwide out of more than 500 applicants.