LYNCHBURG – Motlow State is now a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) provider as approved by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). The college can now quickly design apprenticeship programs based on the needs of area employers, providing them access to larger talent pools. RAPs also help to reduce unemployment.
“Many of our industry partners are anxious to add apprenticeships to their portfolio of training programs,” said Dr. Michael Torrence, Motlow president. “There is a sense of urgency and opportunity in pursuit of both formal and informal apprenticeships.”
According to Torrence, “Apprenticeships are another public-private partnership win-win. For employers, apprenticeships help identify and vet talent early in the pipeline and support strong candidates through job-readiness training that can often qualify for funding support. For future workers, apprenticeships are important pathways toward high-wage skills without taking on the debt traditionally associated with high-demand credentials.”
The approval coincides with current and continuing government increases in monetary incentives for employers and sponsors to participate in RAPs and allows Motlow Workforce Development to expand its benefit to area industry and business.
Last year the USDOL announced awards totaling $183.8 million to support the development and expansion of apprenticeships for educational institutions partnering with companies that provide a funding-match component.
The department is also making an additional $100 million available for efforts to expand apprenticeships and close the employee skills gap.
For more information contact Kathy Parker, Motlow executive director of workforce development, at 931-393-1760 or kparker@mscc.edu.
