The Consortium for Apprenticeship Partners in Economic Development and City of Laredo officials announced Thursday details of an apprenticeship conference set for Monday 25th July.
Apprenticeship programs are paid jobs that offer students hands-on education and training in strategic career pathways leading into meaningful high paying jobs, bringing economic growth and sustainability, bridging the skills gap and streamlining efforts for a brighter, better future.
According to the consortium, the goal is “to promote the creation of a solid infrastructure for talent development and retention through apprenticeship programs.”
The regional apprenticeship conference will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the second floor of Texas A&M International University’s Student Center Ballroom. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
Maria Remboulis, performance and reporting specialist for the U.S. Department of Labor, and Dudley Light, Texas State Director for the Office of Apprenticeships, will be at the conference providing more details on apprenticeship programs, its benefits to employers and funding resources available to help implement apprenticeship programs.
Sylvia Praesel, executive director of the Consortium for Apprenticeship Partners in Economic Development, or CAPED, said the conference will inform the community on the benefits of the apprenticeship programs.
She said one benefit of participating in an apprentice program is the economic advantage for graduates. “They will be earning a salary and learning at the same time,” she said.
Currently, CAPED has apprenticeship programs available in the aviation, banking, construction/architecture, education, energy, entrepreneurship, retail, health care/medical, homeland security and international trade industries.
“As we enter an era with large numbers of seasoned professionals retiring, and aging population, coupled with unprecedented student loan debt of $1.3 trillion, and industries lacking a skilled workforce, offering a fast-track solution to these concerns exist with apprenticeship programs which engage the student in 100 percent on-the-job paid training as apprentices in their field of study,” a news release states. “Whether it be a certification, associates, bachelors or master’s degree, students can earn-and-learn.”
“The time is now to position our region for becoming marketable by establishing a well-trained highly skilled workforce pool in order to attract new talent to the region and retain existing talent.”
Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.
