Nevada awarded ApprenticeshipUSA state expansion grant from U.S. Department of Labor

CARSON CITY — Nevada was recently awarded $968,595 ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion in grant funds by the U.S. Department of Labor, Gov. Brian Sandoval announced Thursday.

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation will serve as the agency pass-through for the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation to administer the grant funds and strategic activities. OWINN’s engagement with education, economic development, and workforce entities will promote coordination and alignment across agencies to scale apprenticeships.

OWINN continues to leverage partnerships with DETR, the Nevada Department of Education, the Nevada System of Higher Education, local workforce investment boards, and employers to work towards the goal of proving Registered Apprenticeships as a tool to fill needs for both employers and job seekers.

“As we continue to expand the new Nevada, Registered Apprenticeships will continue to help both new employers and job seekers in our state connect in meaningful ways,” Gov. Sandoval said. “I applaud the work of OWINN on this issue and look forward to continuing to grow Nevada’s economy.”

OWINN plans to leverage the funds to build capacity and expand youth apprenticeship and ensuring statewide systems alignment to expand RA for various adult populations. Additionally, the grant will expand the state’s outreach, data, and employer engagement efforts to reduce barriers to education, literacy, and training system wide.

“This award builds on the state’s vision as well as leadership from various agencies and legislatures committed to building a robust and sustainable workforce system; and ensures all Nevadans have the opportunity to share in Governor Sandoval’s plan for the New Nevada for generations to come,” said Manny Lamarre, Executive Director of OWINN.

“Apprenticeship has repeatedly demonstrated to be the best approach for training people for long term career success in countless industries. This partnership will foster individual careers and improve Nevada’s skilled workforce,” said Don Soderberg, Director of DETR.

The award is part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s major priority to advance the number of quality apprenticeships, including expansion into high-growth, emerging sectors where apprenticeships have historically been rare.

The award will help ensure Nevada’s employers fill their employment vacancies with workers having the right skills to meet industry needs, and continue to focus on underrepresented workers statewide, in industries such as healthcare, information technology, construction, manufacturing, logistics and operations, mining and materials, natural resources, and tourism, gaming and entertainment. RA provides individuals with structured training and mentoring, and a progressive, merit-based, earn-as-you-learn wage progression.

According to U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, “(Apprentices have an) average starting salary of about $60,000 per year. Nine out of 10 are employed upon completion of the programs. Both the starting salary and the employment rate are higher than that of traditional college graduates.”

The Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation helps drive a skilled, diverse, and aligned workforce in the state of Nevada by promoting collaboration and cooperation among key entities focused on workforce development. OWINN works to address Nevada’s workforce needs by leveraging labor-market data, scaling career pathways that leads to industry-recognized credentials, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and designing responsive workforce policies.

DETR’s mission is to provide Nevada’s businesses with access to a qualified workforce and encourage equal employment opportunities. DETR consists of divisions that offer assistance in job training and placement, vocational rehabilitation, workplace discrimination and in collecting and analyzing workforce and economic data.