The glass and glazing industries are no strangers to workforce shortages. As part of the larger construction industry, which has monthly worker shortages of around 300,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, glass and glazing companies have experienced firsthand the difficulties of hiring and retaining workers. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) believes encouraging apprenticeships is one such strategy to turn the tide.
As such, DOL has dedicated a week to highlighting its importance via the 9th Annual National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from Nov. 13-19, 2023.
This year’s theme, “Registered Apprenticeship: Superhighway to Good Jobs,” underscores the significance of apprenticeship programs as a proven and industry-driven model that paves the way to rewarding careers.
Each day of the week focuses on a particular subject. The daily themes are:
- Monday, Nov. 13: Registered Apprenticeship for Youth
- Tuesday, Nov. 14: Registered Apprenticeship in New and Emerging Industries
- Wednesday, Nov. 15: Expanding Registered Apprenticeship to Underserved Populations
- Thursday, Nov. 16: Women in Registered Apprenticeship
- Friday, Nov. 17: Registered Apprenticeship for Veterans and Federal Employees
The Office of Apprenticeship explains that apprenticeships are a proven and industry-driven training model that provides a critical talent pipeline to address some of the nation’s pressing workforce challenges. This includes rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, addressing critical supply chain demands, supporting a clean energy workforce, modernizing cybersecurity responses and responding to economic issues.
