CT Technical High School’s Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week

[Hartford, CT] – The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) today announced that in honor of the 85th Anniversary of the National Apprenticeship Act, they will be celebrating the U.S. Department of Labor’s eighth annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW). Eighteen CTECS locations will hold recognition events for grade 11 and 12 pre-apprentices on November 16, 2022.

NAW was established by the U.S. Department of Labor to celebrate the significant impact Registered Apprenticeship programs have had in rebuilding our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, building a pipeline to good, quality jobs, and supporting underserved communities. Hundreds of NAW events and activities will take place all over the country the week of November 14-20, 2022.

“Registered Apprenticeship is a proven way for Connecticut residents to obtain pathways to secure, high-paying careers in multiple fields,” said CTECS Executive Director Ellen Solek. “CTECS is proud to support National Apprenticeship Week and to showcase the impact apprenticeships have on building the workforce in this state and country.”

For over 100 years, CTECS has been the leading force in Career Technical Education (CTE) in Connecticut. CTECS operates 17 technical high schools and one technical education center that offer pathways to apprenticeship for high school students and adult learners.

CTECS provides Department of Labor (DOL) approved pre-apprenticeship hours to grade 9-12 students. Graduates are eligible for full-hour credit in related instruction requirements toward their occupational license. Upon graduation, CTECS students may earn up to 1,500 hours toward apprenticeship.

In 2022, there were 161 grade 11 and 12 pre-apprentices in Manufacturing (19), Electrical (59), HVAC (52), and Plumbing (31).

Additionally, seven CTECS schools offer evening DOL-approved apprenticeship coursework for adult learners. Of approximately 4,000 apprentices in the state in the trade areas offered by CTECS (i.e. excluding firefighters, etc.) 1,600 are CTECS graduates and 3,000 attend adult education evening programming.

To learn more about CTECS visit cttech.org.

About National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a nationwide celebration that offers established by the U.S. Department of Labor to bring together leading business, labor, education, apprentices, and other critical partners to showcase the impact Registered Apprenticeship programs have on building the American workforce, as well as highlight the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship for re-building our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, building a pipeline to good, quality jobs, and supporting underserved communities. Registered Apprenticeships provide the opportunity to assist and propel individuals who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality by allowing apprentices to earn while they learn and providing a pathway to well-paying careers.

NAW gives employers, including sponsors and providers, the opportunity to showcase their programs, facilities, and apprentices so that career seekers can learn more about the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship and the programs that are available in their communities. During NAW events, apprentices have a platform to share their apprenticeship experience and how it has transformed their lives. For more information, visit apprenticeship.gov/NAW.