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In 2018, during National Apprenticeship Week , ApprenticeshipPHL  officially launched. Born out of the compelling idea to harness collective industry intelligence, tap into local resources, and ride the wave of existing momentum surrounding the apprenticeship model, ApprenticeshipPHL set out to expand and improve the apprenticeship landscape in the southeast PA region. Today, we take a moment to look back, with pride, as ApprenticeshipPHL prepares to mark all the achievements of its five-year journey.  

ApprenticeshipPHL, powered by Philadelphia Works, is a strategic convener, fostering the growth of Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships across Southeastern PA. Its charge is to create more accessible entry points into Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs for career seekers that encourage equitable and inclusive career pathways for underrepresented groups. Acknowledging that it is the valuable public/private sector partnerships that move this work forward, ApprenticeshipPHL is thankful to the organizations that come alongside them in this work and is excited to further expand the footprint of Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs in the region.

Where it Began: The American Apprenticeship Initiative

The work of ApprenticeshipPHL began with the American Apprenticeship Initiative Grant (AAI) awarded to Philadelphia Works in 2015. Through this award, Philadelphia Works developed the Southeast Pennsylvania Region American Apprenticeship Initiative to expand Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. As a result, six new apprenticeships were developed and registered with the PA Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) and 111 apprentices were trained as Computer User Support Specialists, Direct Support Professionals, Registered Behavioral Technicians, and Pharmacy Technicians.

The momentum of the AAI project confirmed the need for regional collaboration and led to the establishment of ApprenticeshipPHL, which began to lead the region’s apprenticeship strategy.

Good to Grow: PAsmart Grants

Philadelphia Works, on behalf of ApprenticeshipPHL, continued to develop its regional apprenticeship strategy and gained support and resources by applying for and being awarded a series of PAsmart Grants. PAsmart Grant 2018 and 2019 helped support several regional partners to participate in the Keystone Development Partnership (KDP)’s Registered Apprenticeship Navigator Program, a Registered Apprenticeship that prepares and trains individuals to successfully develop, register, and maintain a registered apprenticeship program in any capacity. Through PAsmart 18 and 19, ApprenticeshipPHL supported approximately fourteen apprentices through KDP’s program. Philadelphia Works and ApprenticeshipPHL continue to partner and support KDP’s Registered Apprenticeship program, which just started their fifth cohort.

Here and Now: Apprenticeship Building America

Currently, the Apprenticeship Team of Philadelphia Works manages two grant projects: PAsmart 21 and Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) , awarded by the US Department of Labor. Both projects continue to allow and support ApprenticeshipPHL in expanding Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships in the Southeast PA region. In 2022, ApprenticeshipPHL expanded to include Berks County and formed a comprehensive six-county regional partnership. As the depth of our partnerships across the region continues to strengthen, we're honored to acknowledge all of ApprenticeshipPHL's past achievements while also looking forward to the next five years of growth and accomplishments.

With that, as our valued partners in this work, we cordially invite you to take part in our anniversary celebration as we mark five exciting years of ApprenticeshipPHL on November 16th: Register Here.

We cannot wait to chart more successes with you!