The Power of DEIA in Apprenticeships

Joshua Johnson, Director of the Innovation Hub for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility in Registered Apprenticeship at Jobs for the Future

What's the best tool for giving underserved populations an opportunity for economic mobility, an incredible career, and financial stability? Apprenticeship.

Joshua Johnson lives and breathes this mission as the Director for the Innovation Hub for Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Accessibility in Registered Apprenticeships at Jobs for the Future.

He has a passion for creating awareness around the life-changing power of apprenticeship - evidenced by his own inspiring life story (which you'll get to hear in this episode!).

In this episode, we're talking all about apprenticeships, and specifically the good that apprenticeships can do for historically underserved populations.

Jobs For the Future (JFF)

Jobs for the Future is a national nonprofit focused on creating innovative, scalable solutions for workforce development and helping to re-skill our workforce. Their efforts focus especially on underserved populations, giving them the training and courage to move forward in the workforce.

DEIA at JFF

Diversity, equity, inclusion & accessibility are key to the mission of JFF, especially when it comes to apprenticeship.

Joshua talks about his team's goal to help employers across the country build registered apprenticeship programs and sign a pledge of commitment to DEIA within these programs. Their initiative is funded by a national grant and includes strategic partnerships that will carry out the mission over the next four years.

Modern Apprenticeships

In 2022, there are countless industries adopting the registered apprenticeship model. That's right...it's not just for manufacturing and construction. Individuals interested in healthcare, finance, skilled trades and more can take advantage of apprenticeship's work-and-learn model to further their career.

Another big truth Joshua talks about is that modern apprenticeship is about more than having a single job the rest of your life. It's an onramp for endless career options. You can choose to stay in it, but it can also lay the foundation for a future as a business owner within your trade, an entrepreneur in a whole different industry... whatever you want to do, apprenticeship will lay the foundation for you.

We wrap up our discussion talking about Youth Apprenticeships - and for all the reasons above, states should embrace the YA model because apprenticeship is an incredible career pathway option!

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