Maryland Receives $6.6 M in Federal Grants To Advance Apprenticeships, Public Service

The Maryland Department of Labor received $6.6 million through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to help expand apprenticeships throughout the state.

The Maryland Department of Labor (MDL) received $6.6 million through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to help expand apprenticeships throughout the state. Maryland was one of only seven states to receive a competitive award under the program and received the second-highest award overall.

Registered apprenticeship is a proven model of workforce development that combines related technical instruction with full-time employment and on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a qualified professional.

A press release described the future uses of the federal funding:

The funding will help connect thousands of Marylanders to good paying careers in vital and high-growth industries, including hospitality and tourism, and will establish a public sector innovation fund to bolster public service attraction and retention efforts.

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Recognizing the workforce needs of Maryland’s growing hospitality sector, the funding will support the creation of the Hospitality Management Registered Apprenticeship Program. In partnership with Maryland community colleges, the program will combine hospitality studies coursework with paid on-the-job learning within Maryland’s restaurant and lodging industries.

“With this grant, we will be able to keep pace and continue to add new industries and new occupations, in addition to bringing apprenticeship to more Marylanders,” said Governor Wes Moore. “The funding will direct key resources to supporting apprentices and establishing connections to partners and employers to bolster staffing, outreach, training, in addition to modernization of the state’s data systems.”

Counties and public service

Governments at all levels are challenged to hire and retain staff, tackling issues like multi-generational differences and hybrid working environments. Local governments face a unique obstacle as society reconsiders what public service is and what it means to be a public servant today.

MACo and Maryland’s 24 counties are working with the legislature, state leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen the local government workforce and improve the pipeline into county government.

In fact, MACo submitted a letter of recommendation on behalf of MDL’s apprenticeship grant application in support of public service pipeline apprenticeships. Additionally, MACo is participating in a series of upcoming policy development workshops with the Maryland Department of Labor to inform policy development for the state’s Public Sector Registered Apprenticeship Innovation Fund.

The 2023 MACo Summer Conference general session “NextGen Public Service: Recruiting and Retaining Tomorrow‘s Workforce” will examine the evolution of public service and best practices for recruiting and retaining the next generation.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: