MACo is part of a group of stakeholders helping to guide policy development for a new public service apprenticeship program and grant.

The Maryland Department of Labor (MDL) recently 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.

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 was tapped to participate in a series of policy development workshops with the Maryland Department of Labor to inform policy development for the state’s Public Sector Registered Apprenticeship Innovation Fund. The first meeting was held on August 22 and focused on a preliminary outline of the Department’s draft program implementation and application process. See below for the timeline for the rest of the policy development process: