Articles
HCC recognized as an Apprenticeship Ambassador by the U.S. Department of Labor
Oct 21, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Apprenticeship has named Houston Community College (HCC) as an Apprenticeship Ambassador, recognizing the college’s role serving in promoting, expanding, and diversifying Registered Apprenticeships and its support in strengthening the nation’s workforce.
The recognition was made by John V. Ladd, administrator of the DOL’s Office of Apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Ambassadors partner with the DOL to promote and expand awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships for career seekers, educators, employers, industry and communities. Ambassadors also increase access and support for underrepresented and underserved populations in Registered Apprenticeships, and more.
HCC has had a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) for 20 years and has provided related technical instruction to about 1,000 construction employers in the past five years. Added to this total are grants which helped HCC provide instruction and supplies to 500 plus apprentices in healthcare and information technology occupations. In 2022, HCC created the Office of Work-Based Learning and Industry Partnerships which developed the Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub with more than 37 new apprenticeships. The Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub recently received the National Council for Workforce Education Exemplary Program Award for 2023. In 2024, the hub continues to expand industry partnerships with programs like logistics and civil engineering apprenticeships.
“Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training which brings real-world learning opportunities for our students and potential new employees to area companies,” said Dr. Christina Robinson, executive director of Work-Based Learning and Industry Partnerships at HCC. “We are proud to be recognized as an ambassador for this work by the U.S. Department of Labor.”
“HCC plays an important role in connecting talented personnel with area employers,” said Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “In so doing, we expand the ‘pipeline’ to meaningful jobs and supply the region’s industries with skilled workers. We are grateful for this recognition of our work by the Department of Labor.”
For more information, go to hccs.edu/apprenticeshiphub.